European Kitchen

Needing new appliances, these clients took the opportunity to refresh their kitchen with a partial remodel. With no plans to move, they desired a transformation that felt timeless, with an Old-World Mediterranean aesthetic but with refined and functional upgrades.  We decided to keep the perimeter cabinets and the tile flooring, so every decision was made to create a harmonious and intentional design. 

To enhance the existing cabinetry and get rid of the dust trap on top, we installed 12” of layered crown molding, professionally stained in dark cherry to match, providing a seamless, built-in look.  We extended the visual of the wall cabinets by incorporating a sleek bronze and glass multi-shelf display unit and the cabinet above the fridge was also replaced with a 24” deep version for more efficient storage. We extended the base cabinets with the addition of a beverage refrigerator and they were also upgraded with rollout drawers for better functionality.

The original island cabinets were completely dysfunctional, so they needed to go! The new cabinets are painted in a beautiful grayish-green hue to provide an elegant contrast with the dark cherry perimeter, with slender pullouts that flank the range, neatly organizing spices and utensils within easy reach. The microwave was also relocated to under the island, freeing up counter space.  We tiled the underside of the island on the seating side to prevent scuff marks from stools and toes —a thoughtful touch that keeps the cabinetry looking pristine. 

 A key change was replacing the failing downdraft ventilation in the island with a powerful ceiling-mounted, statement hood—custom-made in hammered, aged copper with graceful lines and dark bronze detailing to complement the cherry cabinets. 

They had always disliked their double bowl sink, so we replaced it with a large, single “workstation” sink, dramatically improving usability. The double wall ovens were replaced with a steam oven as well as a convection oven and  the bottom drawer below was replaced with a warming drawer…now my client’s favorite and most used appliance. 

For the first time, the kitchen gained a backsplash—a warm neutral, polished marble tile in a large arabesque pattern, a subtle nod to the Mediterranean aesthetic.

Finally, the outdated hardware was swapped out. Their 48” tall wall cabinets originally had small round knobs, which we replaced with antique pewter linear pulls—aged, muted, and perfectly suited to the Old-World feel they wanted.

Every detail was carefully chosen to refine the space, enhance functionality, and improve the flow. All of the new elements were incorporated to make the kitchen feel like it was built that way from the start. The result? A warm, inviting kitchen that feels both timeless and beautifully tailored for my clients to enjoy their favorite hobby, cooking!