While I am not an official kitchen design expert, we have tackled our share of redesigns and understand gutting a space to start over. This post with ideas for a Kitchen Redesign List features a range of design choices. We’ll revisit various kitchen projects from posts on Hello Lovely, and the elements and visual inspiration just may be what you need for remodels, refreshes, and new builds. Most of us will work with a professional kitchen designer, but a photo, color story, or cabinet style can be extremely valuable for those consults. Do save ideas by pinning to a Pinterest board like mine for future reference!
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What’s on Your Kitchen Redesign List?
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Ambient Light Sources
This is one of those elements that if important to you, must be carefully planned since most of the work is inside walls. You don’t just decide to add wiring after everything else is installed unless you’re prepared for a royal headache and mess.
That said, there are options beyond hardwired sources of ambient light. You may be able to add a table lamp to a safe area if there is an outlet. Wireless sconces and cordless lamps are everywhere now and may also make life easy. Rechargeable LED lights or battery-operated models are competitively priced now.
Butcher Block Counters
If the fantasy kitchen (inside The Fox Group architect’s own home) here offers any proof..butcher block on a work station near a pizza oven will do!
Sometimes it makes sense to add a small butcher block work area, and sometimes the material which adds rustic warmth for counters is called for.
Vintage examples of these butcher blocks seem to be everywhere in terms of online marketplaces. How awesome is it that we’re keeping a ton of stuff out of landfills? One person’s eyesore is at the top of another’s wish list…harmony!
Is Tone on Tone Right for You?
We all operate from a different nervous system, and if yours needs a lot of calm and unfussy spaciousness, neutrals probably make sense. Forget about resale, some of us would choose a white kitchen no matter what.
Other folks need a pop of color and a less restrained look.
The best way to increase your confidence about what you’re after is to browse a ton of images online and in books/magazines to notice what you keep returning to.
Forget about trends or marketers who would suggest you are boring or narrow-minded. Even the very idea of white paint has certain folks fired up because of its deeper implications and popularity. So interesting!
I’m just glad that even with cameras on every street corner and remote cliff watching our every move…with satellites recording our private conversations and communications in Orwellian ways…we are still free to choose interior palettes.
Built-ins & Banquettes
They are so charming when space, budget, and desire is there!
In this installation with its varied ceiling lights and exquisite architecture, you get the sense of your very own private dining room:
Kitchen banquette seating often involves a window or a bank of them…
so what if you don’t have a window in your corner?
There are still options and solutions.
Were I building from scratch, here’s an idea to create intimacy and capture a stunning view.
Chic Bistro Shelves
Should open shelving be on your wish list, there are still a myriad of choices: bracketed, floating, glass, wood. Custom shelving with brass and glass like these:
imparts a whole different vibe than something more minimal and chunky:
A more refined look or a minimal casual feel? Freedom!
Skirted Sinks
Seems like folks love ’em or hate ’em, and plenty of folks have no interest in finding out whether a skirted sink suits them. But I knew I’d love one because one of the top goals of our kitchen design and whole house renovation at the Georgian was removing what I call CLUNKY FACTOR.
See my farm sink with skirt here. I removed cabinets with doors, interior doors, a pantry door, and sink base doors in this reno. Skirting softens this corner, doesn’t compromise the function, and is a joy live with.
Remember Brooke’s from Patina Farm (above) all those years ago?
High Contrast Window Trim
The contrast doesn’t necessarily have to be high contrast and black, but here’s a design decision that can really help kitchens lacking architectural interest.
It is only paint so it’s worth considering.
Psst. This quote below? What if more and more people could move toward this in faith? Our culture would transform.
Open your mind in terms of the color of window muntins and trim. Maybe a color suggestive of steel will suit your kitchen. Even a low contrast color could add depth and interest.
Vintage Ironstone Accents
We’re easing into decor territory now with this suggestion. Ironstone is collectible, durable, functional, and can add character.
A mix of vintage with new is always a good idea.
Bespoke Cabinetry & Custom Depth
Our vacation rental’s Paris kitchen near Notre Dame was so smart with its function and sleek, modern design. A washer and dryer were tucked beneath the cooktop! Small kitchens sometimes rely on bespoke cabinetry and non-standard depth cabinets and counters.
Just a reminder that if you are redesigning a teeny space, don’t assume standard 24″ deep base cabinets must dictate other decisions.
We Pause for a French Kitchen Tour
Best of luck as you gather details for your project, and I hope you’ll visit my archives for a ton of inspiration for paint colors too.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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