Kitchen of the Week: A Masterful Blend of Modern and Classic
A designer employs her favorite materials, finishes and styles in her own New Jersey kitchen remodel
Bryan Anthony
November 11, 2021
Designer Jules Duffy loves to work with her clients to make their dream homes a reality, but when it came time to renovate her own New Jersey kitchen, one perk to being her own boss was hard to beat. “I had free rein to do what I wanted,” Duffy says. “My husband has complete trust in my design, so I didn’t have to convince anyone about things other than myself.”
This design freedom led Duffy to utilize an assortment of materials and finishes she had long wanted to combine, to create her ideal family kitchen. It mixes modern and traditional elements, has a gorgeous custom island and packs in storage that keeps clutter at bay and countertops free and clear.
This design freedom led Duffy to utilize an assortment of materials and finishes she had long wanted to combine, to create her ideal family kitchen. It mixes modern and traditional elements, has a gorgeous custom island and packs in storage that keeps clutter at bay and countertops free and clear.
Photos by Laura Moss Photography
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Jules Duffy, her husband and their two boys
Location: Madison, New Jersey
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters)
Designer: Jules Duffy Designs
While Duffy wanted her renovated kitchen to mix modern and classic features, she didn’t want what could be described as a white-and-wood modern farmhouse kitchen; she felt that white cabinets would make the space feel too sterile. Instead, the designer went with light gray cabinets (Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore) that add a subtle touch of color.
Warm wood elements include a custom cerused oak island, a windowsill above the sink and a decorative strip at the bottom of the range hood. All of the new flooring throughout the first floor of the house is rift-sawn white oak.
Find an interior designer near you
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Designer Jules Duffy, her husband and their two boys
Location: Madison, New Jersey
Size: 256 square feet (24 square meters)
Designer: Jules Duffy Designs
While Duffy wanted her renovated kitchen to mix modern and classic features, she didn’t want what could be described as a white-and-wood modern farmhouse kitchen; she felt that white cabinets would make the space feel too sterile. Instead, the designer went with light gray cabinets (Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore) that add a subtle touch of color.
Warm wood elements include a custom cerused oak island, a windowsill above the sink and a decorative strip at the bottom of the range hood. All of the new flooring throughout the first floor of the house is rift-sawn white oak.
Find an interior designer near you
Before Photo
Before: The galley kitchen and breakfast room were original to the 1940s house. “We lived with the former kitchen for a few years, but it was pretty cramped for a family with two growing boys,” Duffy says. “The refrigerator was located in the breakfast room because there wasn’t any room for it in the kitchen.”
Before and After: 5 Dramatic Kitchen Makeovers
Before and After: 5 Dramatic Kitchen Makeovers
After: Duffy removed the wall between the galley kitchen and breakfast room, and pushed the previous range wall out about 5 feet to create a larger kitchen measuring 16 feet by 16 feet.
The larger layout provided enough space for Duffy to add a custom furniture-style island that’s topped with Fantasy Brown marble. “I have always loved the look of this marble and knew I had to have it my own kitchen,” she says. “It’s also great to have a marble island that you can place steaming hot pans on right out of the oven.”
Shop for counter stools on Houzz
The larger layout provided enough space for Duffy to add a custom furniture-style island that’s topped with Fantasy Brown marble. “I have always loved the look of this marble and knew I had to have it my own kitchen,” she says. “It’s also great to have a marble island that you can place steaming hot pans on right out of the oven.”
Shop for counter stools on Houzz
This close-up photo of the island countertop highlights the gorgeous brown, gray and cream swirls in the marble. “This kitchen features so many of the materials I love,” the designer says. “It was important to both showcase these materials and also make them a cohesive element of the design.”
It’s a concept she regularly employs with clients. “I always encourage my clients to create ideabooks on Houzz and to share photos of the rooms, materials and looks they love,” Duffy says. “It’s my job to take those materials and looks and turn them into a functional design.”
It’s a concept she regularly employs with clients. “I always encourage my clients to create ideabooks on Houzz and to share photos of the rooms, materials and looks they love,” Duffy says. “It’s my job to take those materials and looks and turn them into a functional design.”
The kitchen backsplash features a mix of marble and glass tiles laid in a chevron pattern. “I like how the geometric pattern of the backsplash provides a counterbalance to the more organic pattern of the island countertop,” Duffy says.
All of the perimeter countertops are white quartz.
All of the perimeter countertops are white quartz.
After living for so long with a kitchen that lacked storage space, Duffy wanted to make sure her new one was packed with stylish storage options. The wall behind the island includes a refrigerator behind a panel on one side and a built-in pantry on the other side.
All of the cabinetry goes up to the ceiling and is finished with a coved ceiling trim that adds a sophisticated touch. The cabinet hardware has a honey-bronze finish.
The pendant lights above the island have a hammered-gold finish on the inside that provides a warm glow. The three counter stools are covered in white leather.
All of the cabinetry goes up to the ceiling and is finished with a coved ceiling trim that adds a sophisticated touch. The cabinet hardware has a honey-bronze finish.
The pendant lights above the island have a hammered-gold finish on the inside that provides a warm glow. The three counter stools are covered in white leather.
Cluttered countertops are one of Duffy’s design pet peeves. Plenty of new storage, including an appliance garage to the right of the refrigerator, allows her to keep her standing mixer, coffee maker and other small appliances out of sight when not in use.
Glass fronts throughout the kitchen keep the abundance of cabinets from feeling too dark. Thin pieces of white melamine behind the glass allow light to shine through while keeping the cabinet contents hidden.
Glass fronts throughout the kitchen keep the abundance of cabinets from feeling too dark. Thin pieces of white melamine behind the glass allow light to shine through while keeping the cabinet contents hidden.
The fireclay farmhouse sink is a favorite of Duffy’s and one she often recommends to clients. “I like how it sits just a little below the countertop, allowing it to stand out and break up the look of the sink wall,” she says.
The chrome metallic pendant above the sink adds a modern note and a bit of glam. “I’m a big fan of mixing metals,” Duffy says. “I like how the bronze pulls and chrome pendant play off each other.”
The chrome metallic pendant above the sink adds a modern note and a bit of glam. “I’m a big fan of mixing metals,” Duffy says. “I like how the bronze pulls and chrome pendant play off each other.”
The new built-in breakfast banquette at the end of the sink wall provides a cozy gathering space for the family. “It’s really become the family hub. It provides enough seating for everyone and is also just far enough removed from the chaos of the kitchen,” Duffy says. “My boys can do homework here and be close to the kitchen without being too distracted.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Our philosophy at Kitchen Kraft is to make home remodeling convenient. We are your one-stop shop for kitchen... Read More
Related Products
Dave Fox is a design/build remodeling firm with a customer focused process, an incredible staff and a close knit... Read More
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
Holly LeClair . I agree! It's my pet peeve too. I often think "do people read the articles or just look at the pictures?" Most questions have been answered, but my guess is, they simply don't read.
There is such peace in the new design. Applause. Applause. Bravo.
The window wall and the oven wall are exactly what I'm looking to do in my kitchen. A window would have to be added and my sink and oven would have to be switched from their current location. I'm wondering where the microwave is in this kitchen if there is one.