4 Warm and Welcoming New Kitchens
See how pros leaned on creamy whites, soft wood tones and other easygoing colors and finishes to create cozy kitchens
A warm, neutral palette is one of seven home design trends pros say they’re seeing now. To explore what that might look like in a kitchen, we asked pros to share details on the colors and finishes they used to create inviting palettes in these four kitchens.
2. Calming Creole
Designer: Nathan T Drewes of Decorations Lucullus
Location: New Orleans
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters); 12 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted a kitchen that evoked the old-fashioned spaces she remembered from her childhood and something consistent with the Creole flavor of her new build,” designer Nathan T Drewes says. “As a serious cook she also wanted one convenient enough to work in smoothly, because although a second house, there is plenty of family nearby. The other challenge was to make it charming enough to be seen through the adjacent arches that open into her rather formal sitting room.”
Warm, neutral palette. “The colors were chosen to suggest traditional plaster palettes of old Louisiana houses,” Drewes says. “Farrell-Calhoun paint company patiently worked with us to create tones suggested by the river sand often used as a component of traditional local plaster in the 19th century.
“The tiles were selected from the Winchester Tile Co. We admire the artisanal character of their handmade surfaces, which catch and refract the light from the sink window and keep the stove’s backsplash from appearing too slick. The muted color tones were a perfect complement as well as an enlivening element for the neutral palette of the room.”
Other special features. Locally fabricated unlacquered copper and brass vent hood. “It is meant to add a burnished, aged element in the kitchen,” Drewes says.
Designer tip. “As designers we avoid the bulky, ever-present island concept, preferring to design marble-top work tables based on 19th-century French models,” Drewes says. “This one manages to provide style as well as function with drawers, slides and plugs hidden away for appliances. It is scaled so as not to absorb the whole floor space.”
10 Kitchen Island Features Pros Always Recommend
Designer: Nathan T Drewes of Decorations Lucullus
Location: New Orleans
Size: 180 square feet (17 square meters); 12 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted a kitchen that evoked the old-fashioned spaces she remembered from her childhood and something consistent with the Creole flavor of her new build,” designer Nathan T Drewes says. “As a serious cook she also wanted one convenient enough to work in smoothly, because although a second house, there is plenty of family nearby. The other challenge was to make it charming enough to be seen through the adjacent arches that open into her rather formal sitting room.”
Warm, neutral palette. “The colors were chosen to suggest traditional plaster palettes of old Louisiana houses,” Drewes says. “Farrell-Calhoun paint company patiently worked with us to create tones suggested by the river sand often used as a component of traditional local plaster in the 19th century.
“The tiles were selected from the Winchester Tile Co. We admire the artisanal character of their handmade surfaces, which catch and refract the light from the sink window and keep the stove’s backsplash from appearing too slick. The muted color tones were a perfect complement as well as an enlivening element for the neutral palette of the room.”
Other special features. Locally fabricated unlacquered copper and brass vent hood. “It is meant to add a burnished, aged element in the kitchen,” Drewes says.
Designer tip. “As designers we avoid the bulky, ever-present island concept, preferring to design marble-top work tables based on 19th-century French models,” Drewes says. “This one manages to provide style as well as function with drawers, slides and plugs hidden away for appliances. It is scaled so as not to absorb the whole floor space.”
10 Kitchen Island Features Pros Always Recommend
3. Easygoing Earth Tones
Designer: Miranda Cullen of Inside Stories
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Homeowners’ request. “This was a custom home, and the client wanted a beautiful color scheme that set the mood, plus top-of-the-line appliances and a hefty island that would accommodate their entire family,” designer Miranda Cullen says. “We added in some beautiful layering with textures of tile, lighting and fabrics to create a space that felt fresh yet comfortable and, of course, beautiful.
Warm, neutral palette. “The ask for this room was to create a beautiful color scheme that was comfortable and beautiful,” Cullen says. “Keeping the various shades of neutral color palette was achieved by mixing textures and tonal variations. The custom kitchen cabinets were two-tone of a pickled white oak and a wire-brushed textured white oak in a natural stain. The countertop is Cambria Brittanicca Warm quartz, and the backsplash is Ann Sacks Gem by Kelly Wearstler in the Swell pattern and Azure color.”
Other special features. Various pendant lights in alternating earth tones of vanilla, toast and chocolate.
Designer tip. “We needed to find a way to make sure the 16-foot-long island didn’t ‘eat up’ the entire room,” Cullen says. “We added dimensional cabinet ends and furnished with large-scaled comfortable counter stools.”
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; pendant lights (left to right): Folk Abigail Soft Cone in unglazed Vanilla and oil-rubbed bronze, 10 inches; Folk Abigail Angular Cylinder in unglazed Toast and oil-rubbed bronze, 6¼ inches; Folk Abigail Ball in unglazed Chocolate and oil-rubbed bronze, 11 inches; Folk Abigail Soft Cone in unglazed Vanilla and oil-rubbed bronze, 15 inches; Folk Abigail Ball in unglazed Toast and oil-rubbed bronze, 11 inches; Folk Abigail Angular Cylinder in unglazed Chocolate and oil-rubbed bronze, 6¼ inches; Folk Abigail in unglazed Vanilla and oil-rubbed bronze, 10 inches; all from Rejuvenation
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Designer: Miranda Cullen of Inside Stories
Location: Aspen, Colorado
Homeowners’ request. “This was a custom home, and the client wanted a beautiful color scheme that set the mood, plus top-of-the-line appliances and a hefty island that would accommodate their entire family,” designer Miranda Cullen says. “We added in some beautiful layering with textures of tile, lighting and fabrics to create a space that felt fresh yet comfortable and, of course, beautiful.
Warm, neutral palette. “The ask for this room was to create a beautiful color scheme that was comfortable and beautiful,” Cullen says. “Keeping the various shades of neutral color palette was achieved by mixing textures and tonal variations. The custom kitchen cabinets were two-tone of a pickled white oak and a wire-brushed textured white oak in a natural stain. The countertop is Cambria Brittanicca Warm quartz, and the backsplash is Ann Sacks Gem by Kelly Wearstler in the Swell pattern and Azure color.”
Other special features. Various pendant lights in alternating earth tones of vanilla, toast and chocolate.
Designer tip. “We needed to find a way to make sure the 16-foot-long island didn’t ‘eat up’ the entire room,” Cullen says. “We added dimensional cabinet ends and furnished with large-scaled comfortable counter stools.”
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; pendant lights (left to right): Folk Abigail Soft Cone in unglazed Vanilla and oil-rubbed bronze, 10 inches; Folk Abigail Angular Cylinder in unglazed Toast and oil-rubbed bronze, 6¼ inches; Folk Abigail Ball in unglazed Chocolate and oil-rubbed bronze, 11 inches; Folk Abigail Soft Cone in unglazed Vanilla and oil-rubbed bronze, 15 inches; Folk Abigail Ball in unglazed Toast and oil-rubbed bronze, 11 inches; Folk Abigail Angular Cylinder in unglazed Chocolate and oil-rubbed bronze, 6¼ inches; Folk Abigail in unglazed Vanilla and oil-rubbed bronze, 10 inches; all from Rejuvenation
Shop for bar and counter stools
4. Creamy Creation
Designer: Ksusha Olson of Titus Contracting
Location: Eagan, Minnesota
Size: 283½ square feet (26 square meters); 13½ by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our clients bought their forever home in a perfect location, but it was not in such perfect condition,” designer Ksusha Olson says. “They knew right away that they would be remodeling their main level sooner rather than later. The existing kitchen was separated from the great room by a wall, felt very dark with just one small window and dark cabinetry. The dated soffits, linoleum floors and popcorn ceiling all had to go. And it was far from being functional for a young, growing family.”
Warm, neutral palette. “It became clear from the very beginning that the homeowner was leaning toward a stylish white theme, something timeless, elegant and versatile,” Olson says. “As a designer, I have learned that not all whites are created equal. Some may look too stark or too warm for your space. We chose a couple dominant whites that added freshness and sophistication. We went with Benjamin Moore Pale Oak for the kitchen cabinetry and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for the walls and millwork. Calacatta Laza quartz countertops felt like a perfect choice for this palette thanks to its dramatic movement, milky white background and realistic soft brown veining.”
Other special features. “We didn’t want the kitchen to feel bland, so we decided to add some contrast,” Olson says. “By incorporating light wood floors and a dark-stained white oak island, we were able to create interest and depth while keeping things natural and warm.”
Designer tip. “I almost always recommend panel-ready appliances to my clients,” Olson says. “Most people don’t know that panel-ready appliances have become very affordable in the last few years. This small investment can make a dramatic impact on the overall look of the kitchen. And this kitchen is a perfect example. The only appliances that are visible are the range and the microwave that is ‘hiding’ on the other side of the island.”
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Designer: Ksusha Olson of Titus Contracting
Location: Eagan, Minnesota
Size: 283½ square feet (26 square meters); 13½ by 21 feet
Homeowners’ request. “Our clients bought their forever home in a perfect location, but it was not in such perfect condition,” designer Ksusha Olson says. “They knew right away that they would be remodeling their main level sooner rather than later. The existing kitchen was separated from the great room by a wall, felt very dark with just one small window and dark cabinetry. The dated soffits, linoleum floors and popcorn ceiling all had to go. And it was far from being functional for a young, growing family.”
Warm, neutral palette. “It became clear from the very beginning that the homeowner was leaning toward a stylish white theme, something timeless, elegant and versatile,” Olson says. “As a designer, I have learned that not all whites are created equal. Some may look too stark or too warm for your space. We chose a couple dominant whites that added freshness and sophistication. We went with Benjamin Moore Pale Oak for the kitchen cabinetry and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for the walls and millwork. Calacatta Laza quartz countertops felt like a perfect choice for this palette thanks to its dramatic movement, milky white background and realistic soft brown veining.”
Other special features. “We didn’t want the kitchen to feel bland, so we decided to add some contrast,” Olson says. “By incorporating light wood floors and a dark-stained white oak island, we were able to create interest and depth while keeping things natural and warm.”
Designer tip. “I almost always recommend panel-ready appliances to my clients,” Olson says. “Most people don’t know that panel-ready appliances have become very affordable in the last few years. This small investment can make a dramatic impact on the overall look of the kitchen. And this kitchen is a perfect example. The only appliances that are visible are the range and the microwave that is ‘hiding’ on the other side of the island.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Joseph Rodrigues Interiors
General contractor: Waterford Construction
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Size: 150 square feet (14 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The clients desired a warm, contemporary open-plan kitchen with a large gathering island,” designer Joseph Rodrigues says. “They also asked for low-maintenance materials and updated appliances.”
Warm, neutral palette. “We applied Sherwin-Williams Malabar in an eggshell finish on all the walls,” Rodrigues says. “The wall paint delivered the perfect neutral hue that complemented the warmth of Italian custom-made laminate cabinets. The backsplash features off-white tones with a hint of contrasting colors. The engineered quartz countertops harmoniously blend in the surrounding materials. The clients expressed their preferences on a light and yet warm material palette with rich amber, rust and honey tones.”
Other special features. Handmade zellige tile backsplash in a geometric pattern over the induction cooktop. Luxury vinyl plank flooring. “There were some load-bearing posts that could not be easily removed right where the new island was proposed, so I had to come up with a clever and intentional approach to incorporate the existing structural elements into the design,” Rodgrigues says. “Since the goal was to create an open environment, it made sense to unify and wrap the posts with one of the backsplash materials. The new structural element has a monolithic appeal and we installed a wall sconce fixture to highlight the tile texture as well as to add some interest.”
Designer tip. “I recommend paying close attention to the materials selection and style when designing in an open floor plan space,” Rodrigues says. “This kitchen is connected to the various rooms in the home, therefore it was important to create a space that was functional but also elegant enough to support the aesthetics of the adjacent areas. We incorporated the same design language and material selection into the built-ins of the dining and family room.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Designing the island around the structural posts created a set of challenges in terms of its size, seating and function,” Rodrigues says. “We had to rearrange the cabinets and allow the seating on two sides of the island. The clients were not happy with the idea of a column or wide post within the kitchen island, but once we provided the overall vision and material application, they came to a good conclusion.”
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