Sunny side up

Elegance in your kitchen doesn't have to mean uniformity, as this remodeling project shows. Different paint colors, woods and countertop granites are all used for variety and warmth.

The owners wanted to replace their old and outdated kitchen and had a good idea of what they liked, says Diane Bohstedt, allied member ASID, and kitchen designer for Insignia Kitchen and Bath.

"Entertaining was important for them," she says. "They also liked the idea of a furniture style for their kitchen, with lots of different finishes and architectural details in the cabinetry."

Yellow is one of the owners' favorite colors, so Bohstedt chose that for the walls. She toned that with a painted finish of creamy white with a light toffee glaze for most of the cabinetry, with warm accent finishes of stained alder wood.

Black granite was specified for the kitchen island top, with a lighter granite for the perimeter countertops. A harlequin tile, used for the kitchen backsplashes and buffet area, was chosen to provide a unifying motif for the space. Roll-out shelving, waste baskets and other storage features were tucked out of sight in the cabinetry.

"Even though pieces like the pantry are fully functional cabinets, they look like furniture," says Bohstedt. "From the hallway, the furniture look is the first thing you notice."

Clear glass-fronted cabinets, an open plate rack and open shelving give one of the owners, an enthusiastic collector of teapots and other china and glass, room to display her favorite objects.

"We've created a really cozy kitchen, with a casually elegant feel it's not an uncomfortable place where you feel you can't touch anything," says Bohstedt.

Insignia plans, designs and installs custom-built kitchens for new homes and remodeling projects.

For details, contact Insignia Kitchen and Bath, 1435 South Barrington Road, Barrington, IL 60010, phone (847) 381 7950. Email: bzolfo@insigniakitchenandbath.com. Website: www.insigniakitchenandbath.com.

Story by: Trendsideas