To achieve a more contemporary look in their new kitchen, the homeowners
decided on a clean, white-on-white color scheme with natural stone s
urfaces and bamboo flooring. They did their homework and knew what they wanted, referencing Houzz for the majority of their fixtures and finishes. And while Houzz is a good tool for homeowners to use to visually sort out what they want and what they don’t, it can also make things difficult when sourcing exact products.
Here’s an example: The homeowners found a glass backsplash tile on Houzz and were set on that tile. We couldn’t find a similar tile at our largest local tile source; so, after much searching, we agreed on ordering a sample from an online store that carried the exact tile the homeowner wanted. When we received it, it didn’t look anything like it appeared online, so that option quickly went down the drain.
Also found on Houzz, they selected quartzite for the countertops due to the stone’s hardness and the look of marble (their old granite counters had begun to chip and show signs of wear). Quartzite is rare in this locality, probably because of price point, so it was tough to find. After multiple trips to granite yards and wholesalers, we finally found what she liked in a hole-in-the-wall place in Cleveland—and it suited the job perfectly.
Some of the other highlights of the new design included farmhouse and bar sinks; custom cabinetry with Shaker-style insets; a combo microwave and oven under the TV; a full-height wine refrigerator; under-cabinet lighting; and we suggested an espresso finish on the island cabinetry, which turned out to be a beautiful way to visually break up the white space—and the homeowners really loved the effect.
The revamped design gave the homeowners everything they wanted and needed in a new kitchen: more counter space and work surfaces; efficient storage (she used to do catering from her home and had a lot of over-sized baking sheets and platters, so we designed smart flat storage above the refrigerator for those items); a fabulous pantry with custom shelving to accommodate large appliances; and soft-close doors and drawers that just make everyday function so much nicer.
We also replaced all of the flooring on the home’s first floor with bamboo, which helped to bring harmony to the living space for a continuous, pulled-together look and feel. I think the photos speak to the success of the project. We helped these homeowners create their dream kitchen, with the added extras that make the space unique to their lifestyle and taste.
All the best,
Chika Aizu
