Heart of the Home
Enlarging and updating this kitchen creates a great space for the whole family.
Melissa Bissell | Kim Hildenbrand
The kitchen truly is the main gathering area for these homeowners. Mom, Dad, and their two teenagers spend much of their time here. But through the years as the familys needs changed, they outgrew the kitchen and its outdated design. They decided to expand and rejuvenate the room in order to create a space that would suit everyone.
A Family With A Plan
It began with a kitchen wish list. Mom and Dad needed a stylish, spacious area that could accommodate both large gatherings and intimate dinner parties. The teens wanted a casual spot where they could hang out with friends. And all four of them desired a place where they could spend time together, whether eating breakfast or playing games.
With these needs and wants in mind, the family sketched a floor plan to annex the den by removing a wall, thus adding square footage to the kitchen and room for an island. The closet in the former den would become a hospitality center.
Soft-colored walls and rich brown moulding create a high-contrast color scheme that is soothing yet cheerful.
Solid-surface countertops—cocoa brown for the kitchen and island, and bone-colored for the hospitality center—are easy to clean and withstand everyday kitchen tasks.
Sleek and graceful, the steel double-bowl sink and high-art chrome faucet make cleanup a snap. The pullout faucet doubles as a sprayer, making it easy to water plants and rinse the sink.
Aspire electric outlets and wall plates, with innovative styling and unique finishes, add impact in an often overlooked area.
Oversize taupe knobs featuring a cloísonne design are easy to grip while adding panache.
At the island, backless barstools in a brown finish slide under the counter when not in use.
Designed to serve primarily as a cooking surface, the island also offers casual dining and ample storage space for pots and pans.
Glaze adds depth and character to the maple cabinetry. The island’s darker shade stands out against the rest of the cabinetry.
Winning Combinations
The homeowners envisioned a comfortable, elegant, and casual gathering spot. Attractive, yet durable, design elements and a high-contrast color scheme helped achieve this goal. The family formulated a unique color palette in which the existing hardwood floors plus the light blue walls serve as a backdrop for dark brown moulding and accents. Stainless steel appliances, including a generous refrigerator, a double oven, a microwave, and a powerful gas cooktop will help the family entertain a crowd. For the cabinetry and countertops, a Lowe’s employee suggested the trend of mixing colors and finishes to add visual interest. For the kitchen, the homeowners selected rich brown countertops and light bisque cabinetry. For the hospitality center, the same cabinetry pairs with a bone-colored countertop. To make the island stand out against this light-toned backdrop, the homeowners chose a slightly darker cabinetry finish and topped it with the brown countertop.
Perfect Blend
The kitchen and the hospitality center feature similar elements to tie the two spaces together. The brown backsplashes provide continuity as well as distinction. For the hospitality center, 12-inch-square polished-marble tiles were cut into 4-inch squares and laid on the diagonal; the 3- x 6-inch trim pieces were cut from the same tile. Both the kitchen and the hospitality center feature stainless steel under-mounted sinks and high-arc faucets.
Success Story
Overall, this kitchen is filled with beautiful touches. In addition to the unobtrusive recessed lighting and under-mounted cabinet fixtures is an elegant chandelier above the island. Distinctive oversize taupe knobs, featuring intricate metal detail, also play a major role in the kitchen’s style. Their cloisonné design is a modern rendition of a traditional oriental look. Black small appliances were selected to add visual punch. For this family, careful planning paid off. Thanks to the kitchen update, they can spend time in their favorite room doing what they love—whether they’re hosting a party, entertaining the kids’ friends, or enjoying a family dinner.
By removing a wall and opening the kitchen into the former den, the addition of an adjacent hospitality center was a natural fit. Tucked in the corner for maximum traffic flow, the area features a refrigerator, an ice-maker, a sink, and storage space.
Learn More
To browse our kitchen design photo gallery, view kitchen renovation how-to videos, and order a free booklet on how to plan a kitchen with personal style.
Visit Lowes.com/KitchenRenovation
Lowe’s Installation Available
Lowe’s can provide guaranteed professional installation of blinds, cabinetry, ceramic tile, countertops, appliances, sinks, faucets, and interior lighting