To create this “urban farmhouse” style kitchen in South Orange, NJ, Dan and John Life envisioned a new layout that would optimize the former kitchen space for their clients.
The old kitchen had lost its charm (when cabinet doors and drawers refused to close, and tiles popped off the countertops).
In the redesign, counter space would be gained, and the range would no longer be jammed into the corner. Instead the range would become the focal point, centered at the end of the space.
From the initial sketch, clients Michele and John loved the new design vision.
And they became very excited when we asked if they could picture the range in a bold accent color — instead of stainless steel.
Michele and John enthusiastically said “Red!” And so, the Bertazzoni stove was the first appliance (and red the first color) our clients chose for their project.
The old kitchen cabinetry would be removed…
to make room for new gray base cabinets and white upper cabinets (with white small brick subway tiles on the backsplash wall in between).
And the formerly tiled floor got a warm makeover with wide wood planks.
The quirky area under the stair…
was neatly redesigned as a home for the refrigerator.
We guided Michele and John through all design decisions on their project, tailoring choices to our client’s preferences while maintaining the design vision.
The cluster of mason jar pendants is a perfectly styled lighting solution above their island (selected by Michele from Pottery Barn).
More design details are shown in the gallery below (hover over the thumbnail images to read captions).
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- gray soapstone countertops in honed finish with eased edges
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- wormy maple wood top with live edge on the island
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- metal bar stools in gloss red (matching the red appliance)
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- platinum gray grout matched to painted trim color
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- simple and solid hardware
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- exposed radiator pipes (cost prohibitive to relocate, clumsy to box in, celebrated instead:)
We are our clients saying? … we “LOVE our new kitchen!”
Click here to read Michele’s review of Dan and John Life.
live. enjoy. repeat.
Photo credit and thanks to: James Leynse Photography for the great ‘after’ photos (excluding detail shots)
The ease and calm of the walls and cabinets with the pop! of the bold red range. Compliance and defiance at it’s best!
A workmanlike kitchen transformed into a space where people gravitate to congregate.
Beautiful depth in the color choice’s. guys!!!
Really nice
It looks great! love it.
What a delightful transformation. Congratulations on a great job.
Stunning transformation. Great work!
I have my new favorite inspiration for my next kitchen renovation. I love how it all fits together so perfectly.
Wow, what fantastic pictures! I would love to live there. Oh, wait,…I do!
Thanks Dan and John for giving us the kitchen of our dreams.
HA HA! You’re welcome. You are a dream client.
Where to begin….love the red stove! love the grey with white and love love the mason jar light fixture!
This is a great transformation. You achieved modernity with old school warmth. Kudos also to your lucky and thoughtful clients. I mean, who would’ve thought, “make the stove red” -? I love the mason jar fixtures, too.
From dross to dreamy. Great work, fellows. Wish you were HERE (in Seattle). Really. Jyl
Thanks Jyl! Wish you and Chris (and your music) were closer! We would love to do a project in Seattle… there is always our Skype Service which works great for long distance design consultations.
Fabulous transformation. Excellent use of space. Love the colors, Fun place to cook!
The stove is getting well-deserved attention but I am amazed — stunned — at the under-stair transformation. Elegant solution.
As a fellow kitchen designers I look forward to viewing other kitchen design work.
The use of space and color on this kitchen works great. In particular the new fridge location.