Kitchen of the Week: Timeless Style in White, Wood and Blue
A designer works within an existing footprint but rejiggers the layout to improve function and create a classic look
A move from New York to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, gave this young couple and their two kids a fresh start. They found a 2003 home in a great location near restaurants and shops, but the dated kitchen didn’t align with their forward-looking intentions.
For help, the couple hired Kristyn Bock, who herself had previously made the move from New York to North Carolina. Bock got rid of the former kitchen’s basic white cabinets, beige tile backsplash, brown granite countertops, blue walls and two-tiered island. Working within the same footprint, she then updated the space with a timeless style that includes new custom cabinets in a bright white finish, a streamlined island with two-sided seating, glossy blue backsplash tile and refinished ash flooring in a rich stain.
For help, the couple hired Kristyn Bock, who herself had previously made the move from New York to North Carolina. Bock got rid of the former kitchen’s basic white cabinets, beige tile backsplash, brown granite countertops, blue walls and two-tiered island. Working within the same footprint, she then updated the space with a timeless style that includes new custom cabinets in a bright white finish, a streamlined island with two-sided seating, glossy blue backsplash tile and refinished ash flooring in a rich stain.
After: Bock took out the existing cabinets, island, backsplash and some of the appliances. Staying within the same footprint, she tweaked the layout by moving the fridge to the spot of the former wall ovens and placing a new range on the back wall. A new main sink now sits under the window. A new streamlined island with a prep sink offers roomy seating for three on hand-woven seagrass-and-mahogany counter stools. “They love to host and entertain, and eat lots of meals at the island,” Bock says.
Custom Shaker-style perimeter cabinets with substantial crown molding extend to the ceiling to maximize storage and style. A clean white paint with a hint of warmth (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) on the cabinets and island base helps energize the look. “It gives the kitchen a timeless, bright and airy feeling,” Bock says.
Marble-look quartz countertops also brighten the room. Glossy blue ceramic backsplash tiles in a crackle finish add a pop of color that’s picked up in various serving pieces on display. “There’s a lot of variation in those blue tiles. It’s really very pretty,” Bock says. “I love the pop of color on the backsplash. It’s unique having all those shades of blue.”
Large-scale handblown glass pendant lights add an elegant teardrop shape without obscuring sightlines. “They’re like art but let the other features of the kitchen shine,” Bock says.
The ash floor was refinished in a darker stain that offers rich contrast. “It’s a very classic and timeless look,” Bock says.
The existing glass door to the right of the range connects to a patio.
Countertops: Eternal Calacatta Gold quartz in suede finish, Silestone by Cosentino; pendant lights: Quinton in clear glass with satin nickel finish, Visual Comfort; paint colors: Calm (walls), Super White (ceiling) and Oxford White (trim), Benjamin Moore
Find kitchen remodelers near you
Custom Shaker-style perimeter cabinets with substantial crown molding extend to the ceiling to maximize storage and style. A clean white paint with a hint of warmth (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) on the cabinets and island base helps energize the look. “It gives the kitchen a timeless, bright and airy feeling,” Bock says.
Marble-look quartz countertops also brighten the room. Glossy blue ceramic backsplash tiles in a crackle finish add a pop of color that’s picked up in various serving pieces on display. “There’s a lot of variation in those blue tiles. It’s really very pretty,” Bock says. “I love the pop of color on the backsplash. It’s unique having all those shades of blue.”
Large-scale handblown glass pendant lights add an elegant teardrop shape without obscuring sightlines. “They’re like art but let the other features of the kitchen shine,” Bock says.
The ash floor was refinished in a darker stain that offers rich contrast. “It’s a very classic and timeless look,” Bock says.
The existing glass door to the right of the range connects to a patio.
Countertops: Eternal Calacatta Gold quartz in suede finish, Silestone by Cosentino; pendant lights: Quinton in clear glass with satin nickel finish, Visual Comfort; paint colors: Calm (walls), Super White (ceiling) and Oxford White (trim), Benjamin Moore
Find kitchen remodelers near you
A decorative inset in the backsplash features white Thassos marble that adds gentle movement behind the new 48-inch dual-fuel range. “I think the range is such a feature here that this adds a bit of pattern and interest,” Bock says.
The custom hood blends with the surrounding cabinetry. “It’s like an architectural feature while still having a classic arch,” Bock says.
Glass-front upper cabinets flanking the hood help break up the expanse of white, and the blue glass pieces they display nod to the backsplash tile.
Polished nickel cabinet hardware also assists in varying the cabinet profile. “I prefer knobs on doors and pulls on drawers,” Bock says. “It kind of breaks up the vertical lines of the kitchen.”
This photo gives a closer look at the suede countertop finish. “That suede finish is different than a honed or polished finish,” Bock says. “It’s like a matte texture that feels really luxurious.”
A stainless steel built-in microwave drawer is just visible on the interior side of the island.
Main backsplash tile: Peat, Wizard Enterprise; accent backsplash tile: Moscow Petite Cold, Metropole collection, Mosaique Surface
Shop for tile
The custom hood blends with the surrounding cabinetry. “It’s like an architectural feature while still having a classic arch,” Bock says.
Glass-front upper cabinets flanking the hood help break up the expanse of white, and the blue glass pieces they display nod to the backsplash tile.
Polished nickel cabinet hardware also assists in varying the cabinet profile. “I prefer knobs on doors and pulls on drawers,” Bock says. “It kind of breaks up the vertical lines of the kitchen.”
This photo gives a closer look at the suede countertop finish. “That suede finish is different than a honed or polished finish,” Bock says. “It’s like a matte texture that feels really luxurious.”
A stainless steel built-in microwave drawer is just visible on the interior side of the island.
Main backsplash tile: Peat, Wizard Enterprise; accent backsplash tile: Moscow Petite Cold, Metropole collection, Mosaique Surface
Shop for tile
Before: The gas cooktop sat directly under a window that overlooks the backyard. “It was a super tiny cooktop,” Bock says. “It felt situated in the corner without good counter space around it.”
After: After placing the new range on an adjacent wall, Bock replaced the cooktop with a farmhouse-style sink under the window. The polished nickel faucet coordinates with the cabinet hardware and other details in the kitchen.
A cotton-linen Roman shade in a blue-and-white small-scale pattern complements the backsplash tile and other blue accents.
Sink: Whitehaven, Kohler; sink faucet: Artifacts in polished nickel, Kohler
10 Steps to an Organized and Functional Kitchen
A cotton-linen Roman shade in a blue-and-white small-scale pattern complements the backsplash tile and other blue accents.
Sink: Whitehaven, Kohler; sink faucet: Artifacts in polished nickel, Kohler
10 Steps to an Organized and Functional Kitchen
Before: In the former breakfast nook, a rectangular dining table didn’t quite fit the angled proportions of the space. “That rectangular table jetted into the walkway,” Bock says. “The family wanted something that fit better in the space and allowed for proper seating.”
After: The homeowners chose a custom round wood table crafted by a local woodworker for the updated breakfast nook. “I think the circular table fit this nook better,” Bock says.
The chandelier features a polished nickel finish. The seagrass chairs are from the same collection as the island stools.
Chandelier: Breck in polished nickel, Arteriors
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
The chandelier features a polished nickel finish. The seagrass chairs are from the same collection as the island stools.
Chandelier: Breck in polished nickel, Arteriors
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
Floor plans: Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the “before” kitchen (left) and the “after” kitchen.
In the former space, which here shows a circular breakfast table in the plans instead of the actual rectangular table seen in the photos above, the cooktop sits in front of the window (bottom left) and the double wall ovens are in a corner (upper left). The two-tiered island (center) offered seating for only two. The homeowners wanted to incorporate the pantry and desk area (top) into the updated space.
In the updated kitchen, the main sink now sits in front of the window. And the fridge now occupies the space of the former wall ovens. A new streamlined island offers seating for three. “I think we utilized each area better,” Bock says. “The placement of appliances and fixtures makes it more functional.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
In the former space, which here shows a circular breakfast table in the plans instead of the actual rectangular table seen in the photos above, the cooktop sits in front of the window (bottom left) and the double wall ovens are in a corner (upper left). The two-tiered island (center) offered seating for only two. The homeowners wanted to incorporate the pantry and desk area (top) into the updated space.
In the updated kitchen, the main sink now sits in front of the window. And the fridge now occupies the space of the former wall ovens. A new streamlined island offers seating for three. “I think we utilized each area better,” Bock says. “The placement of appliances and fixtures makes it more functional.”
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple with two kids
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Size: 363 square feet (34 square meters), including a breakfast nook
Designer: Kristyn Bock
Before: The former kitchen was functional enough, but the homeowners disliked many of its elements, including the two-tiered island, the gas cooktop’s placement below the window and the low-hung upper cabinets.
They also thought the style was stuck in the past. The beige backsplash tile, brown granite countertops and light wood flooring all seemed to blend together. And the light blue walls and basic white cabinets did little to perk up the space.
“It only had seating for two, and the double-bowl sink was the only sink they had in the kitchen,” Bock says. “It just wasn’t very inviting.”
Just out of view to the right of the refrigerator was a set of double wall ovens. The homeowners wanted to keep the breakfast nook, as well as a pantry and desk area opposite the island.