Kitchen | Dark Oak option
The kitchen is often the most expensive room in the house, it gets the most foot traffic and really is the heart of the home. When it comes to design it should first and foremost be functional but I believe it should be treated as other rooms in your house and the finishes and decor should be thoughtfully curated.
White kitchens are beautiful but sometimes fall a bit flat because there isn’t enough texture and juxtaposition of materials. For this house, since it is not our permanent residence, I am able to take some major risks and a few liberties to make the space as un-kitchen-y as possible while still retaining the fundamental functions.
In terms of layout, I eliminated upper cabinets. This is highly controversial as it does reduce storage. We have a pantry adjacent that adds a lot of capacity so we felt comfortable taking the plunge. It makes the space feel more open and entertaining-friendly. We also replaced a large fridge with 4 under counter fridge + freezer drawer sets. Again, this is not for everyone or every kitchen but for us it works with how we want to entertain and live in the house.
In terms of aesthetics, I want the space to feel warm and inviting, feel modern and streamlined and give a slight nod to the 70s - the era the house was built. The first option i’m testing out is a dark cabinet option. Walnut is traditionally associated with mid-century but I didn’t want the space to feel too retro so I looked into an oak option with a similar tonality, perhaps a touch darker. This, coupled with a carefully selected range, wall sconces, a styling of the countertops and large art on the wall should provide a great welcoming space that fits with the ethos of the home and the way we want to live. Check out the renderings and additional options this week and let me know what you think!
Inspiration
Renderings
Execution
Would you believe it if I told you the above renderings were a glorified ikea hack? It’s true! With this being a getaway and not our everyday home, I looked into Ikea and various custom front companies that have popped up over the past decade. There are some incredible options out there.
Reform’s ‘Profile’ front in dark oak via www.reformcph.com
To get this look for your home, check out Reform - a company out of Copenhagen that makes a wide range of beautiful designs, many of which are designed by famous architects and design firms. It’s a great option for a high-end look at a much lower price point. They recently added their own base cabinets for use in place of Ikea should you want a more high end interior.
Interested in doing something like this yourself but have a few questions - reach out!