Before and After: Brass and Navy Pair Nicely in the Kitchen
This Virginia cook space gets a new island and a fresh color and material palette
After. A new island allows the couple and guests to freely move about the kitchen.
Island. The island is 5½ feet by 3½ feet, with a 12-inch overhang for the bar stools. It sits 42 inches away from the stove, which designer Elena Eskandari says is the minimum distance she allows between these two kitchen items.
Countertops. Eskandari used quartz for the countertops throughout the kitchen, including on the island. Right now it’s her favorite countertop material to use in terms of durability.
Cabinets. While designing and installing new cabinets, Eskandari added features to give the couple more function in their kitchen. The cabinets in the island are extra deep to hold pots and pans. She also added 24-inch-deep cabinets above the fridge and range hood that have pull-up doors.
Eskandari incorporated the dishwasher into the kitchen stylewise by adding an overlay of the same navy cabinetry. You’ll find it to the left of the stove with a long brass handle on its front. You can also add an overlay to the refrigerator, depending on your budget, Eskandari says.
Lower cabinets: Hanover door style in Navel, Shiloh Cabinetry; upper cabinets: Hanover door style in Arctic White, Shiloh Cabinetry; knobs: Hex Knob, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.; pulls: Edgecliff pull, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply; browse brass hardware; countertops: Cashmere Carrara quartz, M S International
Island. The island is 5½ feet by 3½ feet, with a 12-inch overhang for the bar stools. It sits 42 inches away from the stove, which designer Elena Eskandari says is the minimum distance she allows between these two kitchen items.
Countertops. Eskandari used quartz for the countertops throughout the kitchen, including on the island. Right now it’s her favorite countertop material to use in terms of durability.
Cabinets. While designing and installing new cabinets, Eskandari added features to give the couple more function in their kitchen. The cabinets in the island are extra deep to hold pots and pans. She also added 24-inch-deep cabinets above the fridge and range hood that have pull-up doors.
Eskandari incorporated the dishwasher into the kitchen stylewise by adding an overlay of the same navy cabinetry. You’ll find it to the left of the stove with a long brass handle on its front. You can also add an overlay to the refrigerator, depending on your budget, Eskandari says.
Lower cabinets: Hanover door style in Navel, Shiloh Cabinetry; upper cabinets: Hanover door style in Arctic White, Shiloh Cabinetry; knobs: Hex Knob, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.; pulls: Edgecliff pull, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply; browse brass hardware; countertops: Cashmere Carrara quartz, M S International
Colors. Navy blue is often an underrated neutral option, Eskandari says. She likes how the blue grounds this kitchen and draws you around the room. The white upper cabinets, walls and countertops keep the rest of the room bright. To finish off the space, Eskandari added brass accents via the hardware and pendant lights.
Backsplash. A hint of blue continues above the stove on the mosaic backsplash. This small area, which Eskandari separated from the rest of the backsplash tile with a frame, is made up of blue, white and gray fish-scale tiles. The rest of the backsplash was created with 1-inch ceramic hexagonal tiles. The white hexagons continue all the way up to the ceiling above the window.
Mosaic backsplash tile: Scales blue blend glass, Artistic Tile; white backsplash tile: white hexagon II porcelain, Festival, via Floor & Decor
Backsplash. A hint of blue continues above the stove on the mosaic backsplash. This small area, which Eskandari separated from the rest of the backsplash tile with a frame, is made up of blue, white and gray fish-scale tiles. The rest of the backsplash was created with 1-inch ceramic hexagonal tiles. The white hexagons continue all the way up to the ceiling above the window.
Mosaic backsplash tile: Scales blue blend glass, Artistic Tile; white backsplash tile: white hexagon II porcelain, Festival, via Floor & Decor
After. Eskandari moved the stove over against the wall and closer to the sink.
Layout. The room looks a lot different, but the layout stayed about the same. The main thing that changed was the location of the stove. The sink still sits in front of the window, with the dishwasher next to it.
Layout. The room looks a lot different, but the layout stayed about the same. The main thing that changed was the location of the stove. The sink still sits in front of the window, with the dishwasher next to it.
As you turn the corner, you can see that the fridge is still in the same location.
To clear counter space, Eskandari installed the microwave below the countertop. Microwave drawers are becoming more popular, she says, especially in open-concept kitchens, because then you don’t see a bunch of silver appliances when you walk in the room.
Lighting. The brass pendants add warmth and light. Generally, Eskandari likes to use one to three pendants in a kitchen, depending on the size of the island.
Pendant: Hinkley, Somerset collection, Bellacor; browse brass pendant lights
To clear counter space, Eskandari installed the microwave below the countertop. Microwave drawers are becoming more popular, she says, especially in open-concept kitchens, because then you don’t see a bunch of silver appliances when you walk in the room.
Lighting. The brass pendants add warmth and light. Generally, Eskandari likes to use one to three pendants in a kitchen, depending on the size of the island.
Pendant: Hinkley, Somerset collection, Bellacor; browse brass pendant lights
Flooring. Vinyl tile replaced the previous laminate flooring. Eskandari likes this material because it’s budget-friendly and water-resistant.
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Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
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More
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Read more kitchen stories and guides
Browse kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A recently married couple
Location: Annadale, Virginia
Size: 260 square feet (24.1 square meters)
Designer: Elena Eskandari of Case Design/Remodeling
Backstory. The young couple purchased a traditional home and wanted to update it with colors and functionality that would better suit their personality.
They love to entertain, and knew a large island with seating would make their kitchen the perfect place for cooking and chatting with friends and family. They also wanted to break away from white and tan, and inject trending colors and materials, such as navy and brass, into the space.
The project took two months to complete.