Here are the simple steps that we used for our classic kitchen refresh that include new lighting, tile, paint, barstools, and accessories. But first, let me explain why we choose this house for our move from an apartment in San Francisco to Jacksonville, Florida.
Originally, we thought we would buy land and build a house from the ground up (we have done that before in addition to extensively renovating down to the studs). But with all the supply chain issues that my clients and I were experiencing, I was hopeful that we could find a house with good bones that we could make our own.
Luckily we did! And gradually, we are updating rooms one by one. The latest is our classic kitchen refresh.
The Before
As you can see here, it isn’t bad, right? We liked the cabinets, counters, island, and floor. So we were off to a good start!
Negatives:
- The hood feels too modern compared to the rest of the house and Howard actually cut his forehead on one of the corners while cooking.
- The small pendants will probably come back eventually, but I’m not getting any younger.
- The white subway tiles are timeless but the horizontal glass tiles were not to my taste. I even asked other designers about them, and they said they would change them, too. Sometimes it helps to get other opinions.
Ceramic Subway Tiles From Spain
The glazed ceramic pearl tiles have a handmade appearance and come in different shades of white and pale grey.
We ran the tile up to the ceiling for a little drama. Although this is not a new idea (it was used for years in old manor house kitchens like in MUSÉE NISSIM DE CAMONDO in Paris). It’s a popular trend now.
Our home is dark (surrounded by trees), so the light subway tiles, in addition to painting all the other walls Benjamin Moore Simply White help brighten it.
New Larger Pendants Over The Island
We installed the Layton by Visual Comfort 14″ pendants over the island. This required some electrical work and drywall repair…but it was worth it to me, and the little touch of black!
Rods Installed For Copper Pots
We used these metal rods to hang the copper.
Low Back Wooden Counter Stools
These CB2 stools are comfortable, yet unobtrusive since this is a walkway. The wood stain is a shade that blends with the floor and island colors.
White Wood Range Hood
This hood is raised higher (safer for Howard’s head) and the simple Shaker style blends with the cabinets.
Beverage Area
We used a compatible square tile on the opposite wall backsplash for the beverage center.
Kitchen Accessories
I love the existing plate rack. It’s handy above the dishwasher. The vintage art from eBay is attached with Command Strip velcro.
It was Howard’s idea to place my little porcelain collection in the wine cubbies since we store our wine at cellar temperature.
And that’s how we accomplished a Classic Kitchen Refresh. It feels like a new kitchen to us without starting over! Please leave any questions in the comments!
Be sure to come back on Sunday as our Five Faves are resuming.
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Your kitchen came out beautiful Mary Ann! I didn’t realize how big it was. Love the tile and the new hood.
Thanks, Linda. A lot bigger than our last one.
Love the changes! It’s just beautiful. Can you tell me where you sourced your marble utensil holder?
Homegoods…a while ago though. Thanks, Justine.
Love the changes! It’s just beautiful. Can you tell me where you sourced your marble utensil holder? I have been looking for one about that size.
Mary Ann, Love the changes and the kitchen looks so pretty and welcoming. Love the two tiles you used and great idea bringing them all the way to the ceiling. Nice with your porcelains in the cubbies! It’s all fresh and so lovely!
I love the little touches that add up to a big impact! So beautiful!
Thanks, Jess!
Really beautiful!
WOW! Beautifully done! Subtle changes but bring such an impact. Love it all.
Everything is perfect! I’ve been wanting to paint my wooden cabinets white and this sealed the deal! Do you happen to know the cabinet color? I recently used “simply white” in a bedroom refresh and it turned out great! Tile. Perfect. Pendants are perfect. Sometimes pendant type fixtures look like they “don’t belong” or a bit “too much”. I will have to keep my granite which is a bit of a “busy” pattern, but the white will be a great refresh! I love all your posts!
MA – your classic kitchen refresh is a triumph! That tile is divine. And the hood makes for quite a transformation. Your copper pot bars sent me running to my kitchen to see if I could do something similar. Love every single thing. And it’s nice to have the cookbook shelves built into the lowers. You’re right the kitchen – and house – has great bones and you’re taking it next level. xo
Thanks, Juliet. I love YOUR kitchen.
I love this “new” kitchen, Mary Ann! We are hoping to update our kitchen this year and I there is a lot here that inspires me. My goal is to lighten and brighten our small galley kitchen. I really want to eliminate the microwave above the stove as it feels like an accident waiting to happen to my 5’2″ self. I know you can relate to that challenge. I think I will track how often I actually use it and for what purpose to see if a smaller counter size microwave could be installed in the pantry closet. Also because I love that hood! See, you’ve already got me thinking.
I know…I have a footstool to put away dishes in some of the upper cabinets…but I can still reach the microwave. In our last house we had a drawer microwave in the island.
Mary Ann,
Your kitchen is stunning with the changes you’ve made. You have such a good eye for detail.
I’m happy for you and Howard to have found such a lovely home.
xo,
Karen B.
Hi Mary Ann,
Wowie, everything you changed made a huge impact. Looks wonderful. It’s interesting how a few things that you change that are an eye sore to you make such a difference. Love everything. The kitchen is so beautiful.
Wow! I love what you did! Looks like a new kitchen. Do you remember what grout you used?
Thanks
Nancy
Yes, Light Pewter. Thank you.
Mary Ann,
I really look forward to seeing the ways you are updating your new home! Such impactful changes that make your home work for you and reflect you better! Enjoy!
I absolutely love the changes you made! I, too, have a dark kitchen/dining area. The cabinets were a beautiful maple medium stain. The counter tops were a brownish color. I had the outer cabinets painted white, the island painted blue as well as blue on some other cabinets on a small wall. The counter tops were changed to a white, lightly veined quartz. The result has been wonderful. Everyone tells me the kitchen no longer looks dark and is very cheerful. I love it and am amazed and how much more I want to spend time there now!
LOVE what you’ve done! Is it possible to have a source for your tile? And your countertops, are they marble?
We got them from Floor and Decor.. there is a link. I don’t have a countertop source but the real estate listing said they were natural granite. It looks like marble but granite is more durable.
Mary Ann you are a genius! You really know how to change a few things to make a place look great.
You were fortunate not to have had to change the counter top! Do you know who makes it?
Sorry, Jill. I just know that it is natural granite.
What a great refresh! Love all your choices–isn’t is lovely when you don’t need to make huge expensive changes? Enjoy your new kitchen!
Yes, Diana…so much less than a full kitchen redo. It wasn’t cheap but I was glad Howard agreed to the changes!
Love your kitchen—you’ve inspired me! Where did you get that beautiful footed bowl?
Homegoods, years ago…check them out! I look for white ceramics made in Portugal there.
Hi Mary Ann – Your kitchen refresh is lovely! I am gathering ideas for a kitchen remodel and I definitely like what you did in your home. Can you tell me if you like having your oven in the corner location? It’s a layout option that I haven’t considered, but I like the way it looks in your kitchen. Thank you for sharing your photos.
Yes, Alexis…it’s working fine. I always thought I would only want big stoves…but the wall ovens are so easy to look into…and it’s is a good use of the corner.
What a nice outcome! I really like the glazed ceramic pearl tiles; I think the horizontal glass tiles are a trend that shall pass. I love your pendants! I have been looking for replacements for years (but not very seriously) and when I saw these, I wondered if they came in white. I see they do but they are a bit expensive for what I’m willing to spend. Your’s in black add a nice touch of sophistication to the rest of the light room as do the island and stools. You must be so thrilled to have this much space after your smaller galley kitchen in SF.
Yes…so nice, Wren. People always gather at the island and we eat lunch there sometimes. Something we didn’t have in the galley kitchen in SF (great views tho).
Yes, you did it again, changed a decent kitchen into a star! I love the tile and how you used it to the ceiling on the 3 walls. How you used a coordinating tile in a different shape at the bar area and the new hood is perfect for the style of the kitchen. You’ve created a warm, inviting, timeless space for family and friends to spend many happy hours! You know the kitchen is always were everyone wants to be! Happy New Year!
That is so true Gail, about where everyone gathers. I’m glad I could make it feel more updated and more my taste.
Mary Anne I love what you have done! The black pendants are just beautiful and I am not a pendant person! You’ve gone after the two things I really don’t like..the big stools that eat the room and get in the way visually and literally! Also those horizontal tiles..at least yours were just an accent! The tiles you chose are lovely and timeless! Only two things I would change but it would require a full demo are the corner sink and corner oven. Have lived with a corner sink twice, never again such a pain with two cooks and the oven just looks awkward and it eats a lot if real estate. Maybe that’s in your future? Regardless the finished kitchen is awesome! Good work on the refresh!
Yes…I’m not wild about the corner sink…so hard to fit people with the dishwasher there. There is a sink in the beverage center and in the laundry room (not far away) though.
Mary Ann! Every change you made is exactly what this already nice kitchen needed! I love when tile goes to the ceiling, we did that too! And the big pendants over the gorgeous island! The beverage station and the art! Every detail is perfect!! Now it looks like your kitchen! I had no idea it was this big!! What a dream to cook in! I’ll bet Howard loves it! And no more hitting his head on the hood!! And your copper pots, love the way you displayed those!
Annie I LOVE your kitchen so I appreciate your comment so much!
Your kitchen is beautiful, Mary Ann. The subway tile is perfect. Do you find the dark wood floor hard to keep clean? If I may ask, what brand appliances did you go with?Howard probably had lots of input on that! Happy New Year to you. Xx Karen
The dark wood is lovely but it does show everything…at least it makes me clean. The new cooktop is Thermador and the other appliances are GE Monogram.
Your kitchen refresh looks lovely. What model refrigerator are you using in your kitchen? I really like the look of it.
It’s a GE Monogram. Seems to fill up quickly as in it’s not that big but fortunately there is another refrigerator in the laundry room which was great to have over the holidays!
It looks great, Mary Ann! I like your changes. Thanks for the idea on the backsplash. We are mid-kitchen refresh, and all that’s left to be done is replacing two windows (which are sitting in our garage), and tiling the backsplash. Unfortunately, our contractor is dealing with health issues following a knee replacement. This has given me time to reconsider my choice of a classic white subway tile. I don’t want it to look dated too soon, but I also don’t want it to look bland! I will check out the tile you used, with just enough variation to make it interesting. 🙂 Happy New Year!
p.s. – make that exercise regime a habit!
That is exciting Julia. You can’t go wrong with white subway!
The little changes, really make a difference. I’ll be painting my maple cabinets (over 30 years old) that are still in excellent condition, along with replacing the counter tops and backsplash. Could you tell me, if when you replaced the tile backsplash, did the sheetrock also need replacing? since I’ll be doing the painting and tiling myself, I’m wondering how much time and effort will be required. Or if I’ll need to have someone come in to replace the sheetrock.
Our sheetrock was ok. Except over by the beverage center (you can see it in the photo) I had some removed on the wall to the left of the sink…where I didn’t like it. It has to be repaired and painted.
I love the changes you made! In particular, the new tiles and range hood make the kitchen look so much calmer. When I look at the before picture, my eyes dart everywhere. The stripes in the tiles make the kitchen feel busy and the range hood draws my attention. The changes you made give your kitchen a calm, casual, relaxed feel. The new tiles are beautiful and the variation in colors add just enough interest without being busy. The range hood is no longer a focal point. The new lights pick up the relaxed vibe while introducing a little black to break up the whiteness. Are these the lights we got to vote on months ago? I like your stools because they are functional yet unobtrusive. The island’s stain looks to be a slightly lighter color. Perhaps it is because the new stools blend in more. Without a great deal of expensive remodeling you have given your kitchen a fresh look. You have created the perfect coastal kitchen.
Thanks so much, Susan. I think you all did vote on the lights. These cost a little more but the chain and fittings look more expensive up close.
It does feel like a fresh kitchen to us 🙂
Hi Mary Ann
Wow! Just wow! You are a master at making simple changes for maximum impact! Changing out the hood was huge, beautiful tile selection, and I love Howard’s idea for the cubbies! One less thing you need to spend money on to correct! Your kitchen looks like you now!!
Thanks, Cindy…you know I don’t want to over-invest here. I really appreciate your input on our primary bathroom!
Your new tile is so much better. So classic and elegant.
Thanks, Deb!
You kitchen looks great! I was wondering where you got your range hood? Donna Deas
The same company as the cabinets…need to look it up.
We have been looking at different houses (downsizing) and whenever I see a corner sink with a dishwasher situated right beside it, I eliminate the house as a choice. My worry is that it is awkward to rinse dishes in the sink and load the dishwasher. I have seen it so often though, that I thought maybe I should actually ask someone who deals with it on a daily basis! So, how is it? Is it a minor inconvenience, or does it even matter?
Your refresh is absolutely beautiful, by the way! I like how thoughtful the changes are and how much it brightened up the space. The new range hood looks like it has always belonged as well. Much better!
You are right about the corner sink, Brenda…I wouldn’t do it if I was starting over.
Very smart! It looks like a completely different kitchen, especially by getting rid of the stainless hood and funky little shelves on either side. The pendants and tile were the perfect choice.
Thanks so much, Valeri!!
You did a fantastic job updating this kitchen! Hope you will continue to share more pics of your new home.
I will, Cheryl…still lots going on around here 🙂
Can you post a source for the hood? Thanks!
Absolutely love the changes you e made! The subway tile and the coordinating square tiles look fantastic. And that range hood-so good! I do have a quick design question; I was always told to repeat a color so that everything “belongs”. Why did you choose black pendant lights? (I love them!) I don’t see black repeated in the room. But now I have permission to do it too😃
Was it Dorothy Draper who said, “every room should have a touch of black”? There is some black in the adjacent family room and a black lampshade in the dining room. Also, you make the rules in your own home! 🙂
Love it! You’re the BEST…
Thanks, Sue!!!
Absolutely GORGEOUS! LOVE the tile all the way up to the top!!
I love to check out the kitchens…like the mansions of Newport RH, and the beautiful Camondo house in Paris where they carried the tile up 🙂
It looks very right for you!! Pleases that you are pleased! Jacksonville is so well situated…we are going to “check it out.” franki
It does feel “right” for us, Franki!
Beautiful kitchen remodel. I love the tiles covering the entire wall. I might do that one day. I’m mostly wondering how you like FLA compared to CA and why you chose to move there?
There are good things about both states (and we will visit Calif. since we have family there…have a trip planned for March). We chose Florida as we have lived here twice before (Howard grew up here) and sort of understand the weather. The people are really friendly, no state income tax and the prices are better. We have good friends here and our son moved for his work to Orlando. So there are lots of reasons, Cindy.