This month's feature is a beautiful Ocean, New Jersey kitchen that was given new life when the homeowners decided that the heart of their home needed some traditional touchstones. They had been living in the home for 22 years, and their old kitchen looked every bit as dated as those two decades would suggest. The homeowners considered their options for the room's new palette and the atmosphere they wanted to create, and chose a beautiful and timeless look that will remain fresh and welcoming after another 22 years.
Create a Timeless Décor
The color theme they chose is a clean and fresh white that opens up the room and gives the space a bright, cheery feeling. Vintage style cabinets in antique white replace the room's previous dark walnut cabinetry, which dimmed and weighed down the atmosphere of the old kitchen. The lightness of the new palette is carried through to the walls, with the homeowners choosing the perfect shade of taupe to complement the white cabinets without seeming too stark. Their choice of glass backsplash, in subway style, picks up the theme as well; the glossy Urban Putty shade ties the stainless steel appliances gently into the color palette of the updated space.
The finishing touch to the kitchen color scheme comes in the form of the countertops. The homeowners chose Cambria quartz counters in Nevern, an ideal pairing with the color selections already made. The light base color of the quartz maintains the brightness of the room, while the veins in the stone adds subtle accents of plum and cocoa, which pick up on the understated hues in the walls and backsplash, creating depth and interest in the space.
Lighten Up
Given how dim and drab the previous palette of the kitchen was, the homeowners put a great deal of effort into finding the perfect lighting to keep the room looking bright and beautiful. After months of searching, she finally found the ideal combination of inset and hanging lights, with white glass and steel fixtures that marry them perfectly with the kitchen appliances and cabinet hardware. The addition of lights under the cabinets ensures that the room will maintain the luminous, airy look that the homeowners sought to create regardless of the hour or the season.
Sprinkle in some memorabilia
Once the new kitchen was finished, it was time for the homeowners to fill the space with the unique spirit and personality of their family. Instead of going out shopping for new decorations, she explored the trove of precious memories in her own attic and garage, returning with beautiful treasures already laden with family history and personal meaning. An antique crystal decanter and matching set of wine glasses passed down from her great aunt became a lovely display piece for her countertop; the sparkle of the crystal echoes the radiance of the kitchen. Another antique, a mirror that had belonged to her father, found a new home above the dining table, where it could further evoke a feeling of traditional in the space.
The final detail, a chalk board that she has used for the past two decades to share everyday reminders and messages of love with her family, makes a simple and unmistakable statement that echoes through the space: This is now home of cherished memories and new decor.
