Three years ago, we completed this client’s primary bathroom, and at the final walkthrough they joked, “Don’t worry… we will be back for the kitchen!” And sure enough, they came back, ready to tackle the space they’d been dreaming about updating for years. We were more than a little excited to dive in with them again.
The existing kitchen was hardworking but tired: a boxed-in layout, limited counterspace, and cabinets that didn’t make the most of the room. With growing needs and a love for cooking, the clients had three priorities at the top of their list: more storage, more workspace, and a statement range that would become the soul of the room.
To make that happen, we rethought the footprint from the ground up. Removing the wall between the kitchen and living room allowed for a more generous, efficient layout. That move not only created room for a larger island, but also carved out the perfect home for the client’s dream AGA Elise 48″ Induction Range.
Once the space plan was unlocked, the aesthetic vision followed. The new custom black-and-brass range and matching hood became the centerpiece—bold, sculptural, and packed with personality. To balance that drama, we wrapped the room in soft vertical tile and introduced a mix of white lower cabinetry and black upper glass-front cabinets. Everything feels light, intentional, and beautifully layered.
Storage was dramatically improved with a smarter cabinet configuration, taller uppers, and better internal organization. Counter space more than doubled thanks to the expanded perimeter and the new island with a clean, uninterrupted work surface.
Brass hardware, warm sconces, and marble-look counters tie it all together, giving the clients a kitchen that’s both highly functional and effortlessly elegant. The result is a complete reimagining of the space: open, refined, functional, and full of personality—exactly the kitchen they promised they’d come back for.
Amber Milwee
Director of Design, Smithouse Design + Build