Kitchen of the Week: White, Gray and Peaceful in Tennessee
A designer helps a young family increase storage and flow while creating soothing transitional style
Jeannie Matteucci
October 22, 2020
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish spaces, smart lighting and a good decaf dry cappuccino.
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish... More
After six years of living with their kitchen, Garrett Keck and Carolyn Maxfield Keck had a good idea of what they didn’t like about it. The cabinets were aging and didn’t hold much. The square-tile floor was out of date and the grout dirty. The refrigerator jutted into the traffic flow.
The couple hired designer Chandler Quarles to rethink the layout, add harder-working cabinets and create a white-and-gray transitional style that feels more at home in Tennessee farm country.
The couple hired designer Chandler Quarles to rethink the layout, add harder-working cabinets and create a white-and-gray transitional style that feels more at home in Tennessee farm country.
“After” photos by Ruby and Peach
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Garrett Keck and Carolyn Maxfield Keck and their two children
Location: Spring Hill, Tennessee
Size: 260 square feet (24 square meters)
Designer: Chandler Quarles of Peach and Pine Home
Before: The previous kitchen had basic oak cabinets, a small center island with a short overhang, worn solid-surface counters and a poorly installed tile floor. The couple disliked how the walk-in pantry, located behind the tall cabinets beyond the fridge, felt separated from the main work area and wasted space. “It was blocking off that whole side of the kitchen,” Quarles says.
Plus, the location of the refrigerator meant the appliance stuck out and impeded traffic flow.
Hire a local kitchen designer
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Garrett Keck and Carolyn Maxfield Keck and their two children
Location: Spring Hill, Tennessee
Size: 260 square feet (24 square meters)
Designer: Chandler Quarles of Peach and Pine Home
Before: The previous kitchen had basic oak cabinets, a small center island with a short overhang, worn solid-surface counters and a poorly installed tile floor. The couple disliked how the walk-in pantry, located behind the tall cabinets beyond the fridge, felt separated from the main work area and wasted space. “It was blocking off that whole side of the kitchen,” Quarles says.
Plus, the location of the refrigerator meant the appliance stuck out and impeded traffic flow.
Hire a local kitchen designer
After: Quarles removed the walk-in pantry and created a new one on the back left side of the room. This allowed her to move the location of a new fridge out of the main workflow and into a more efficient spot.
This move also allowed for more storage and countertop surface flanking the range. The countertops are marble-look quartz. “I wanted the perimeter counters to be completely durable and be a workhorse for them,” Quarles says. Butcher block tops the new larger island. “It’s a beautiful classic material, sustainable, and brings in the warmth of the natural wood,” Quarles says.
A soft palette of near-off-white walls (Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams) and warm gray cabinets (Dorian Gray by Sherwin-Williams) creates a soothing atmosphere. “I think it’s more peaceful and functional now,” Quarles says.
Cabinets and butcher block: Harpeth River Woodworks
This move also allowed for more storage and countertop surface flanking the range. The countertops are marble-look quartz. “I wanted the perimeter counters to be completely durable and be a workhorse for them,” Quarles says. Butcher block tops the new larger island. “It’s a beautiful classic material, sustainable, and brings in the warmth of the natural wood,” Quarles says.
A soft palette of near-off-white walls (Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams) and warm gray cabinets (Dorian Gray by Sherwin-Williams) creates a soothing atmosphere. “I think it’s more peaceful and functional now,” Quarles says.
Cabinets and butcher block: Harpeth River Woodworks
Four rustic elm and metal stools complement the butcher-block island top. The X detail on either side of the island base adds a bit of character to the design. Gray porcelain floor tile in a matte finish coordinates with the new color scheme. “I love the color of it, and it hides dirt really well,” Carolyn says.
Two rustic pendants crafted from mouth-blown recycled glass hang over the island. (The ceiling lights were edited out of these photos by the photographer.)
Shop for kitchen island lighting
Two rustic pendants crafted from mouth-blown recycled glass hang over the island. (The ceiling lights were edited out of these photos by the photographer.)
Shop for kitchen island lighting
The semicustom Shaker-style cabinets and drawers feature brushed satin nickel pulls that complement the stainless steel appliances. “Part of the benefit of going semicustom was that we were able to add in some elements that make them look higher-end,” Quarles says. “We also included convenience items like a lazy Susan, a pullout trash can, a cookie sheet pullout and spice racks.”
The gas range has four burners and a griddle in the center. A modern wall-mounted stainless range hood with built-in lighting hangs above. “The gas range is so efficient and much easier to cook on than the electric range we had before,” Carolyn says.
One of her favorite details in the updated kitchen is the 5-by-5-inch glazed white ceramic tile backsplash. “It’s kind of like a subway tile, but the square shape makes it unique and the variation in color adds a little bit of subtle interest to the kitchen,” Quarles says.
Glass-front upper cabinets on either side of the range lighten up the cooking area and give the family a place to display favorite dishes and collectibles.
The microwave is located in the new walk-in pantry.
Backsplash: Cloe in white, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone; range hood: Zline
The gas range has four burners and a griddle in the center. A modern wall-mounted stainless range hood with built-in lighting hangs above. “The gas range is so efficient and much easier to cook on than the electric range we had before,” Carolyn says.
One of her favorite details in the updated kitchen is the 5-by-5-inch glazed white ceramic tile backsplash. “It’s kind of like a subway tile, but the square shape makes it unique and the variation in color adds a little bit of subtle interest to the kitchen,” Quarles says.
Glass-front upper cabinets on either side of the range lighten up the cooking area and give the family a place to display favorite dishes and collectibles.
The microwave is located in the new walk-in pantry.
Backsplash: Cloe in white, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone; range hood: Zline
The two-bowl white quartz sink features a smooth surface and undermount installation. The single-handle pullout faucet has classic styling that complements other farmhouse-inspired details in the space. Its stainless steel finish coordinates with the appliances, including a new stainless steel dishwasher in the island to the left of the sink.
Sink: Quartz Classic two-bowl undermount sink in white, Elkay; faucet: Cassidy in Arctic stainless, Delta
Sink: Quartz Classic two-bowl undermount sink in white, Elkay; faucet: Cassidy in Arctic stainless, Delta
A cabinet above the refrigerator holds seasonal items, while two baskets store kids’ photos and toys.
The open doorway leads to a hallway that connects to bedrooms and bathrooms.
The open doorway leads to a hallway that connects to bedrooms and bathrooms.
Custom floating pine shelves display art, plants and other items. The drawers hold art and school supplies for the kids, creating a handy drop zone for the family.
These floor plans compare the kitchen layouts before and after the renovation. On top, you can see how the original location of the fridge (top center) and walk-in pantry (top left) impeded traffic flow.
The new layout, bottom, shows how the new fridge and walk-in pantry locations (left) create a more open and spacious design. “It’s really the center of the house,” Carolyn says. “It’s a lot more functional, family-friendly, and it makes you enjoy being in there.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
The new layout, bottom, shows how the new fridge and walk-in pantry locations (left) create a more open and spacious design. “It’s really the center of the house,” Carolyn says. “It’s a lot more functional, family-friendly, and it makes you enjoy being in there.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Related Stories
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Beer, Shuffleboard and Pizza Bring the Fun
Entertaining features and a warm industrial style create a lively atmosphere in this revamped Craftsman bungalow space
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Airy Beach Style in a Lake House
By Becky Harris
A designer creates a cottage feel by adding classic architectural elements and mixing white with warm woods
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Baker’s Dream Kitchen With Two Islands
A kitchen-family room makeover adds happy' aqua cabinetry and a dedicated baking space to a Massachusetts farmhouse
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Open Feel With White-and-Wood Japandi Style
A design-build firm helps a couple relocate their kitchen to gain space, openness and a warm and welcoming look
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 4 Uplifting Blue, White and Wood Kitchens
By Elena Vega
Chase away cooking space doldrums with shades of ocean and sky paired with classic colors
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Bold Black Style With Nods to ‘Star Wars’
A designer helps a young couple create an open kitchen with a large island and a dramatic look with fun sci-fi roots
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 3 Refreshing Green Kitchens
By Elena Vega
Rich green cabinets banish the banal in these redesigned cooking spaces
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Rich Color and Style in a 19th-Century Condo
A 160-square-foot kitchen in a Chicago three-flat gets a traditional look with dark green cabinets and authentic details
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Former Barn Gets a Modern Rustic Style
A designer opens up a closed-off kitchen and creates a warm and moody look with walnut cabinets and black details
Full Story
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Respecting History in a Seattle Bungalow
By Becky Harris
A designer uses an English-inspired palette in the kitchen to honor the style of the landmark Arts and Crafts home
Full Story
What is the name of the quartz used in this kitchen?
Beautiful and serene
@Terri Henningson -- the quartz is Giza by Enigma!