16 Simply Sophisticated Kitchen Design Ideas

Will we ever tire of seeing thoughtfully designed, traditional, and classic kitchens with timeless and tranquil inspiration? Doubt it. 16 Simply Sophisticated Kitchen Design Ideas celebrates exceptionally lovely work from the interior design studio Park and Oak.

16 Simply Sophisticated Kitchen Design Ideas

The creative interior design team of Christina Samatas and Renee DiSanto make their clients’ kitchen dreams come true as they address new construction, renovation, and furnishing projects across the country.

Let’s gather ideas and inspiration from their genius!

1. Sophisticated Color Palette

In a glorious Hinsdale kitchen (just a stone’s throw from our former suburban home in Elmhurst!), the designers and client chose a warm medium grey for this classic kitchen with rustic elegant charm.

It can be a challenge to pull the trigger on paint colors that you’ll be living with for many years. That’s why I’m so grateful that designers share their sources to ease our pain and stretch our imaginations.

For a similar grey paint idea, keep reading and see the “shop the look” mood board.

2. Eucalyptus + Clear Vase

While it is tough to take my eyes off the charcoal grey La Canche, but that French range would not fall within the ‘simple’ parameters of our kitchen design exploration today! Instead, look at the pretty pop of organic lovely near that fantasy cooker…are eucalyptus branches calling your name?

3. Naturally Woven Seating

With so many lovely options in the marketplace for kitchen stools, one way to narrow your search is to first choose a material which will complement the rest of your design choices. Will pulling in metal enhance the overall scheme? Wood? Upholstery in a solid? In a print? In this Hinsdale kitchen, bringing in natural wicker or rattan adds modern rustic texture and character.

Here’s another kitchen design from Park & Oak where bamboo and natural woven texture brings nature indoors.

4. Warm Wool Runner

What cozy warmth and personality a simple rug or runner can add in the kitchen! Since they are available in a wide range of price ranges and colorways, the only trouble you’ll encounter is choosing your favorite.

5. Framed Art

There’s something so cozy and special about the kitchen below designed by Park and Oak with its framed oil paintings flanking the sink.

If you’re going for a custom look and have room on the wall for collected treasures, it can be gratifying to live with art in the kitchen. In my own kitchen, despite the relatively small size, I hung three original paintings in the space. They have remained for years as I never tire of the look!

6. Brass Hardware & Accents

Aren’t these ceiling lights gorgeous? I’m also partial to the bin pulls on the cabinets which are so similar to what I chose for our Arizona kitchen.

7. Bead Board Ceiling

I’m crazy about the nostalgia, simple lines, and texture of beaded board anything, and on a kitchen ceiling? Yum…for me, it just whispers I’m not fancy yet I’m fabulous.

For new construction projects, beadboard can do wonders when you’re after a timeless look. And for older kitchens with say popcorn or some other undesirable ceiling texture (like the 70’s sparkly swirls this girl inherited with her fixer upper), hello, lovely bead board! Bob Villa has tips for beadboard on the ceiling as well HERE.

8. Safe Yet Sublime Subway

It doesn’t matter how many Pinteresting kitchens you see it in, it still works wonders as a hardworking, economical, visually pleasing kitchen backsplash. It truly is an unsung hero as a material which will work with any number of classic design styles, and there are plenty of other opportunities in the kitchen’s decor where you can veer into more adventurous design territory.

9. Black & White & Natural

If you want to keep things truly simple and are concerned your plan for a white kitchen may be on the sterile side, opt for black and natural accents. In the kitchen by Park and Oak above, there’s such a harmonious balance in the color story. The black doesn’t feel too austere, and the white cabinets and tile don’t read too precious. Introducing black pendants and warm wood on the island keep it cozy.

10. Banquette Seating

Whether space is tight in a breakfast dining area or you simply love the architectural look of them, banquette seating is a classic choice. Minimal, built-in, upholstered, or tufted, these benches are certainly not just for restaurants.

11. Handmade Tile Above Range

What an opportunity to choose a beautiful timeless pattern to enhance the experience of cooking and baking every single day.

I am not often a huge fan of two-tone cabinetry, but then I see the moody tone applied to the range wall cabinetry above, and…color me awed. Deep moody color can deliver showstopping sophistication and character to your kitchen design.

12. Bring on the Copper

What a brilliant pop a simple copper saucepan imparts!

(Also, while swapping out your existing range for a dreamy blue number like this beauty may not be practical(, take a cue from its hue. If this shade of blue makes your heart sing, consider introducing it with decor, upholstery, or tile. What is extra helpful about seeing this inspiring kitchen is we can study how the blue works with the white cabinetry as well as the light wood work table.)

13. Shaker Simplicité

I’m beyond charmed by the meditative, serene, simple yet sophisticated look of these lovely kitchen designs with Shaker style cabinets and graceful, undone charm. So many takeaways here, but it’s easy to see how the soothing blue-grey on the walls below works wondrously with soft white cabinetry. Nothing is matchy-matchy or showing off.

15. Dutch Oven as Decor

Don’t you love it when a workhorse in your kitchen also doubles as a simple yet sophisticated design element? Me too! Even if your specialty is take-out, you can fake it with one of these heavy charmers. (Now stop ogling that range and start dreaming about the color of the decorative Dutch oven in your future.)

16. Apron Front Farm Sink

They aren’t just for farmhouses, and if you have avoided adding one to your kitchen design out of fear that they will stain, fear not. My own apron front fireclay farm sink takes a ton of abuse, and there’s not a day I don’t appreciate its beauty and function.

Thank You for the Inspiration, Park & Oak!

Are we thoroughly blissed out and energized to make small, simple yet sophisticated tweaks to our own interiors?

Thank you, Park & Oak!

NOW DO YOURSELF A SUPREME FAVOR AND click here TO SEE and SAVE THE MOST INSPIRING KITCHENS TO WHICH YOUR HEART IS DRAWN!

Shop the Look!

*TAP ON IMAGES BELOW TO GO TO BUYING INFO*

Reveal All

1. Woven Counter Stool

2. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray

3. Framed Fine Art

4. Woodhaven Beadboard

5. Le Creuset Oyster Gray Dutch Oven

6. Classic White Ceramic Subway Tile

7. Aqua Ceramic Subway Tile

8. Antique Brass Bin Pull

9. Aqua Tribal Runner Rug

10. Lucky Cement Handmade Tile

11. Reinhard 30″ Fireclay Farm Sink

12. Professional Copper Pan

13. Majestic Black Range

14. Clear Glass Vase

15. Eucalyptus Spray

16. Upholstered Bench

An Unsual House Tour

I have been discovering new to me youTubers, and to say that Christine McConnell brings the unexpected would be an understatement. Treat yourself to a tour of her renovated home…

Also visit THIS STORY for a French farmhouse kitchen with simple sophistication. See THIS ONE too if you love sophisticated European blue-green hues.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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