Small House, Dream Kitchen

See Before and After! How did my design make a bigger kitchen without major construction? A new galley kitchen used a piece of a little space that once held a small table. That space is now for full coffee, tea and bottle water service! The kitchen was completely changed: Moved all appliances, created a separate laundry room (see story), new electric panels, 240v outlets, by Good Neighbors Electric (Thanks, guys!), and new pure Hickory cabinet uppers, and custom painted lower cabinets.

Each piece was carefully calculated to yield good flow, lighting, and storage. See below!

First, we had to demolish the kitchen (after space plans and a Vision Board were completed.) Refrigerator, stove and dishwasher were donated. A 3D Space Plan is a valued service – I have 20 years of 3D technology design experience.

Clean slate! Now plan calls for us to separate laundry room from kitchen! 8’3″ ceilings and careful measurements of the footprint were vital. This 70-year-old house was in need of every upgrade imaginable. Thankfully I had it covered!

After some sweat, lots of mess, a few revisions, the framing is ready! Every tiny fraction of an inch has been referenced for the new refrigerator, new pantry, and cabinets. My chosen GC and crew were amazing!

Now I specified gorgeous 2″ white oak flooring to match the rest of this vintage home. Allowing several weeks for sanding, staining, sanding and staining, everyone was thrilled! Thank you, Paso Robles Floor Co!

Fresh paint (Behr Scuff Resist in Antique White) plus light gloss on ceiling to reflect new lights! Walls framed, lower cabinets have been custom painted to exact specs, and the heavy, gorgeous hickory uppers are here!

Custom pantry, custom hickory arches, farmhouse sink, decor, and so much more – including a repurposed half of a wine cabinet, now with a live-edge black walnut, food-safe prep surface! Pleasure is in the details, my friend!

To sum up this look:

That combination of elements conveys a warm, earthy, and sophisticated style that draws heavily on Transitional and Rustic/Natural design influences.

Here is a breakdown of what each element contributes to the overall style:

 

🎨 Color & Tone: Sophisticated Earthiness

 

• Deep Blue-Green Lower Cabinets: This color is a major anchor. It provides a sense of depth, calm, and sophistication. It acts as a rich, modern anchor while still pulling from natural tones (like deep water or forest). This choice prevents the look from becoming too rustic and introduces a Transitional or even Coastal/Nautical feeling.
• Solid Hickory Upper Cabinets: Hickory is a highly-figured wood, meaning it has prominent grain patterns and natural variation. It brings warmth, texture, and a strong rustic/natural element.

 

🛠️ Materials & Finish: Textured Warmth

 

• Hickory Wood: Its natural appearance directly ties the design to the outdoors, contributing a cozy, slightly farmhouse or cabin-like warmth. The use of two different colors/materials for upper and lower cabinets (a two-toned approach) is a popular modern design choice, keeping the look fresh and less monolithic.
• Oil-Rubbed Bronze (ORB) Hardware and Faucet: This dark, matte, almost black-brown finish is the perfect complement.
  • It’s classic and timeless, not trendy chrome or shiny brass.
  • It adds a sense of antiquity and weight, leaning toward the rustic or traditional.
  • It provides a strong contrast against the blue-green and the lighter-toned hickory, tying the whole look together with a common, dark accent color.

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🌟 Overall Style Conveyed

 

This kitchen most strongly suggests:

1. Transitional Rustic: It takes the clean lines and two-toned sophistication of Transitional design but uses highly textured, natural, and rustic materials (hickory, ORB) to bring warmth and character.
2. Modern Lodge / Elevated Cabin: The dark blue-green and bronze elevate the rustic hickory, making it feel less like a simple cabin and more like a high-end retreat or lodge.
3. Natural / Organic: The heavy reliance on natural elements—wood and earth-toned colors—creates a grounded and welcoming atmosphere.