Kitchen of the Week: Warm, Cozy and Autumn-Inspired
Houzz user transformed her Illinois kitchen into an inviting space inspired by nature
Houzz user Ricki Vaughn of Decatur, Ill. always had a good idea of what her dream kitchen would look like — and prior to her remodel, the original kitchen just wasn't cutting it. The space was small, with very few cabinets and little counter space, making cooking and cleaning difficult.
The rustic landscape surrounding Vaughn's home inspired a new kitchen palette based largely on golden browns and grays found in nature. Warm hickory cabinetry was custom made, and an unpolished slate backsplash was installed on each wall. Vaughn also made sure that her new kitchen had as much storage and prep space as possible. "It was like Christmas every day to watch the change in the kitchen," she says. "I don't even mind cooking now!"
The rustic landscape surrounding Vaughn's home inspired a new kitchen palette based largely on golden browns and grays found in nature. Warm hickory cabinetry was custom made, and an unpolished slate backsplash was installed on each wall. Vaughn also made sure that her new kitchen had as much storage and prep space as possible. "It was like Christmas every day to watch the change in the kitchen," she says. "I don't even mind cooking now!"
"My contractor was my inspiration," says Vaughn. "He kept telling me that I was only going to do this once, so I should do it the way I wanted to do it." After falling in love with hickory cabinetry she spotted on vacation, Vaughn decided it would fit perfectly with her home's rustic location.
The slate backsplash was extended to the wall going into her family room. The kitchen sink, originially on the other side of the space, was moved underneath the kitchen window, which was also expanded.
Sink and Fixtures: Delta
Backsplash: California Mosaic Slate
The slate backsplash was extended to the wall going into her family room. The kitchen sink, originially on the other side of the space, was moved underneath the kitchen window, which was also expanded.
Sink and Fixtures: Delta
Backsplash: California Mosaic Slate
Vaughn traveled to St. Louis, Mo. to find the Rosewood granite for her countertops, and while she was there, she picked up a scrap of black granite for this small corner table. "I wanted a small table in the corner of the cabinets, and the black granite drew all of the appliances together, and was a complement to the Rosewood granite."
Vaughn advises current kitchen remodelers to make sure that they really think out their plan before approving the final design. "We ended up changing the design of our kitchen 3 to 4 times before we gave the go-ahead to order the cabinets," she says. "Also, have a contractor that will work with you and give you good advice, because they've done more kitchens than you have. Craig really built our dream kitchen."
Countertop: Rosewood Granite
Flooring: Positano red ceramic tile
More ideas:
Kitchen of the Week: Warm Up By the Fire
Kitchen of the Week: A Warm and Eco-Friendly Update
Kitchen of the Week: A Bi-Coastal Construction
Vaughn advises current kitchen remodelers to make sure that they really think out their plan before approving the final design. "We ended up changing the design of our kitchen 3 to 4 times before we gave the go-ahead to order the cabinets," she says. "Also, have a contractor that will work with you and give you good advice, because they've done more kitchens than you have. Craig really built our dream kitchen."
Countertop: Rosewood Granite
Flooring: Positano red ceramic tile
More ideas:
Kitchen of the Week: Warm Up By the Fire
Kitchen of the Week: A Warm and Eco-Friendly Update
Kitchen of the Week: A Bi-Coastal Construction
Range and Oven: Hot Point
Cabinets: Hickory, custom made by Jim Bishop Cabinets in Alabama