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This kitchen remodel is one for the books (or for the blog, if you will)!! Once a crowded and dated track home kitchen, this bright and spacious room is now the focal point of the home. Bonus: we got to work with the sweetest clients!

If you haven't already peaked ahead, scroll on for the "before" picture -- it's a good one!

Interior Design: Blackband Design

Photography: Vanessa Lentine

At first sight, we knew there would be major changes in store to update this kitchen -- a challenge we were up for! We found great potential in the size of the space and the clients' dream to bring in a brighter palette. Removing the peninsula counter opened up the room allowing for more ways to navigate around the kitchen and into the surrounding living areas. It also freed up the left wall to become home to large appliances without taking up any of the precious square footage. We replaced the existing island with a larger one that offered convenient work space, storage and seating -- three in one! Shifting around the appliance locations and storage allowed us to create a natural flow for our clients to enjoy day-to-day and when entertaining. Moving the stove and hood from the old island to the back wall opened the overhead space for beautiful light fixtures to hang center stage above the quartz countertop. French oak flooring, classic counter stools and textured subway tiles modernized the space while playing up its traditional roots. Finally, fresh paint, watered glass cabinet doors and polished nickel hardware completed the design with a sophisticated touch.

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from the island

layout to the

appliance placement,

we completely changed

the footprint of

this kitchen

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masking the hood

with the cabinetry

provided a clean

backdrop for the island

to take the spotlight

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the barstools' clean lines and soft leather upholstery fit effortlessly in the timeless space

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progress shot:

after our reno team

reconfigured the electrical

and swapped the sink

and stove top locations

(and all the plumbing and

gas lines that went with it),

we got to see the

new surfaces and materials

come to life --

always an exciting time

in the project

and, of course, what everyone loves to know: paint picks!

island

cabinetry

walls

if you enjoyed this before + after reveal, we'd love if you shared it on pinterest!

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When we first began working with this Newport Beach client the living room and dining room were flipped and the walls were beige with yellow undertones. Our first step was to select a crisp white paint to lighten up the space. Our second step was to flip the layout of the room, making the living room centered around the fireplace.

Our objective in this space was to create a light and livable environment by building on a neutral palette and adding pops of color through fabrics, artwork, and accessories, while layering in dark and light finishes. We wanted the living room to feel casual and still look sophisticated for guests. To showcase the coastal vibe, we layered blues with custom drapery and coral accent pillows to finish the look. For the dining room, a long reclaimed farmhouse table fit the room perfectly and helped lighten up the space. Custom host and hostess chairs carry over the color scheme from the living room. We will be installing a big chandelier to help anchor the dining room area, and bringing in a sideboard in a fun color to add some depth to the space.

The first “before” photos below were taken on our initial visit with the client, before we selected a new paint color and flipped the layout of the rooms. The rest of the before and after photos below were taken on the day of the install, as you can see the paint was refreshed but the space still lacked depth and balance (and of course furniture). We love to see the way a room can transform itself with a little TLC.