Mediterranean-Style Kitchen Gets a Bold Makeover
Green cabinets, mirrored refrigerator panels and a custom range hood give a boost to this California kitchen
Wanting a kitchen with more color and a contemporary vibe, these Del Mar, California, homeowners reached out to designer Susan Wintersteen to create a space that minimized the kitchen’s Mediterranean-inspired roots without losing its connection to the rest of the house. The result is a remodeled kitchen that features white oak floors, a stunning custom range hood, bold tile backsplashes, green cabinets with brass hardware and mirrored refrigerator door panels.
Before: The original refrigerator wall included a large stainless steel refrigerator, medium-tone wood cabinets and a built-in microwave.
After: “The original stainless steel refrigerator took up so much visual space, so I decided to create a custom panel to conceal the new refrigerator,” Wintersteen says. Each custom door panel includes a mirror on the upper section and two faux drawers at the bottom.
To the left of the refrigerator, the designer added a beverage station with a built-in wine fridge, a floating black metal shelf and a backsplash covered in geometric porcelain tiles. The microwave was relocated to the base of the island. All of the new cabinets are painted in a custom shade of green and feature brass hardware.
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To the left of the refrigerator, the designer added a beverage station with a built-in wine fridge, a floating black metal shelf and a backsplash covered in geometric porcelain tiles. The microwave was relocated to the base of the island. All of the new cabinets are painted in a custom shade of green and feature brass hardware.
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Before: The original kitchen included a large island with a granite countertop and a medium-tone wood base. The island accommodated three stools. The floors were travertine.
After: “The family wanted enough seating at the island to seat six guests, so we added a breakfast table that extends out from the island,” Wintersteen says.
The table and island are covered in marble-look quartz. A new chandelier above the island adds a contemporary touch. The floor is now white oak.
Plan Your Kitchen Island Seating to Suit Your Family’s Needs
The table and island are covered in marble-look quartz. A new chandelier above the island adds a contemporary touch. The floor is now white oak.
Plan Your Kitchen Island Seating to Suit Your Family’s Needs
Before: The original range wall included a Mediterranean-style vent hood, a travertine-and-glass-tile backsplash and medium-tone wood cabinets flanking the stainless steel gas range.
After: A new custom range hood made of white oak adds a classic touch that complements the new flooring. The backsplash is laser-cut marble and brass inlay. New green cabinets flank the range.
“If we had used the same range wall tile throughout the kitchen it would’ve lost its impact,” Wintersteen says. “The range wall is now its own moment and the star of the kitchen.”
“If we had used the same range wall tile throughout the kitchen it would’ve lost its impact,” Wintersteen says. “The range wall is now its own moment and the star of the kitchen.”
The sink wall features an original wood-framed window that looks out to a lush side yard. “I added upper glass cabinet doors to complement the window above the sink and to make the space feel more open,” Wintersteen says.
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More on Houzz
How to Design a Kitchen With Green Cabinets
Look for a kitchen designer near you
Shop for a brass kitchen faucet
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young kids
Location: Del Mar, California
Size: About 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Designer: Susan Wintersteen of Savvy Interiors
The remodeled kitchen sits within the original footprint and features a similar layout as the previous space. A pair of original wood doors on either side of the range wall remain. All of the surfaces, including the cabinets, hardware, flooring, countertops and lighting are new. “We wanted to lessen the Mediterranean style of the kitchen, but it was important to make it still feel connected to the rest of the house,” Wintersteen says.
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