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Handsome Kitchen with Natural Elements

Gray and white cabinets, gold hardwarew, decorative backsplashThese city dwellers wanted a light and bright, up-to-date kitchen that functioned for their busy lifestyle. The current fixtures and finishes had become tired and their back entrance opened directly into the kitchen with no landing area for their daily items. In fact, their kitchen table was blocking their door, making it difficult to navigate. Since they loved Normandy Designer Chris Ebert’s work on their master bathroom a few years back, they decided it was time to enlist his help again.

“The homeowner wanted banquet area, black lighting, skylights a ‘wow’ kitchen that was very bright and current with the times,” said Chris. “We selected finishes that had rich tones and light colors and used skylights and lighting to make the space more interesting.”

“Removing a wall between the work zone and eating area opened up the space and gave us a better layout to work with,” added Chris. “The HVAC was housed in the wall and made it a little tricky to remove, but we moved the system and padded the structural beam to make it look natural.”

Cozy mudroom tucked in kitchen for entrywayThe operation of the back door was reversed to make way for a banquette, offering a comfortable spot to eat meals or catch up on their favorite shows. This change allowed enough room for the refrigerator and cooktop on the opposite wall and created bonus space for a small built-in mudroom just inside the sliding glass door.

Aesthetically, the kitchen has the classic on-trend look of a white kitchen with a modern twist using blue-gray tones as a starring role. The white oak and wainscot look cabinetry throughout elevates the space and adds sophistication. The gray cabinetry works well with the patterned backsplash tile and ties it all together.

“This space not only blue decorative backsplash tile functioned as their kitchen but also as a back entry to their home, so it was important to create a well-planned space that worked for them,” said Chris. “I’m glad I was able to give these homeowners both a beautiful and functional space that they will enjoy for years to come.”

If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen or contemplating more extensive changes to your home, you can set up a time with Chris to talk about the possibilities. You can also learn more about additions, kitchens or other remodeling projects at an upcoming workshop. Check out the photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram for even more home tips and inspiration.

Shallow Shelves for the Kitchen

Kitchens are funny spaces. It seems that no matter how big or small, we could always use just a little more space. Fortunately, Normandy Designers have a few tricks up their sleeves to make the most of every square inch.

Finding forgotten space can be like winning a game. With the right creative eye, it’s possible to eek out just a little bit more space in almost any kitchen.

1. The shallow cabinet –  This is a great choice when other cabinetry is nearby and you can make the shallow cabinet look as though it’s part of the complete run. Depending on its location, it can be a good place for spices or cooking oils.

2. Recessed niche –  This one is the ultimate in found space. It doesn’t work in every application, but you can take advantage of the space between the studs of your wall by creating a small niche.

3. Shallow shelves –  Shelves are the most flexible of the options, and can be as shallow or as deep as the space allows. You can use these for decorative purposes, like showing off Grandma’s antique salt & pepper shakers, or they can have a more practical use, say to store your favorite teas.

To get the most out of your kitchen, the planning starts long before you begin incorporating these finishing touches. Set up a time to talk with a Designer about how to plan for your new kitchen, or find inspiration anytime on Facebook or Instagram.

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