The first thing designer SuzAnn Kletzien did to update this kitchen was move the sink across the room, over to the bright bay window, so it no longer faced a blank wall. She swapped in an island for the existing peninsula as well, but the appliances stayed put. "That way we could afford to splurge on a wine refrigerator," says Kletzien, who unified the space with gray and white — plus hits of brass.
1. Task Lighting
Willamette pendants illuminate the island, while above the bay window, Isaac sconces focus light on the sink. Both Schoolhouse Electric fixtures are trimmed in warm brass. Recessed lights, in combination with lights inside and under the cabinets, add to the glow.
2. Counters as Counterpoint
Absolute Black granite with a leathered finish provides a strong contrast to the pale wood on the island. Gray cabinets, painted in Benjamin Moore's Cinder, are topped with a Silestone counter in subtly veined Pulsar. "The wife is a great cook, and she wanted every surface to be durable," says Kletzien.
3. Two-in-One Floor
Dark wood planks run from the front door of the house into the kitchen. But then, in a bold, irregular diagonal, the floor divides. The half near the stove, sink, and back door is made of sturdy cement tiles that can easily handle spills and mud. Tres Grises hexagonal tiles from Mosaicos.
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4. Mix of Metals
Card File pulls and Mid-Century knobs made of brass, both from Schoolhouse Electric, bring in warmth and are a welcome surprise next to stainless steel appliances. The switch plates on the outlets are also done in brushed brass. As Kletzien says, "They have to be there, so why not make them more interesting to look at?"
5. Open Shelves
Visible from the front door, they look light and airy and offer a contrast to the closed cabinets, which are fronted with opaque glass panes. The rustic wooden shelves are cantilevered from a backsplash made of four-inch-square White Gloss tiles from Mosaicos, set in a staggered pattern and accentuated by gunmetal-gray grout.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2015 issue of House Beautiful.
