For this family of serious cooks, creating an efficient yet stylish kitchen was important. Their existing space was outdated, and the two-tier island caused bottlenecks during meal prep, not ideal for a group who loves cooking together. They had a vision for a modern, European inspired kitchen, and called on Normandy Designer Becca Ruggiero to bring it to fruition.

“They wanted to solve their space issues, but also craved a design that was truly spectacular and unique,” says Becca. “The Officine Gullo Firenze range was the extraordinary piece that no one else would have, and we used that as a springboard to embrace a European feel for the kitchen design.”

The range drove the color palette, and they opted for dark wood cabinetry for a several reasons. “Durability was a key point in choosing the stained cabinetry for this kitchen. Since the space gets a lot of use, this material will hold up beautifully. She loved the rich warmth of the dark stain and its striking effect against the white slab backsplash,” Becca says.

“This family loved the euro modern design but realized they lived in a more traditional home, so we worked to harmonize the styles for a remarkable kitchen aesthetic,” says Becca. A high contrast color palette with rich woods throughout creates that balance.

As is common for many kitchen remodels, the vision for the design can sometimes overstep the budget. In this kitchen, it led them to select some materials which differed from their original plans, while still staying true to their desired aesthetic. “I’d hardly call this glamorous porcelain slab backsplash a compromise, but it was an alternate to real stone,” Becca says. They also opted for quartz countertops over the pricier quartzite version. Both selections helped them stay more aligned with their budget, without sacrificing the “wow” factor in their kitchen.

Special custom pieces abound in this kitchen, including the frosted glass wall cabinets and the custom-built table with brass inlay. “Almost every cabinet and drawer contain an organizer to house their essentials. Two tiered drawers and multi-functional cabinets create designated space for pots, pans, spice grinders and cooking tools,” Becca says. “There is even a custom built-in coffee maker in the island, as they are avid coffee drinkers.”

The eating area was shifted to the end of the island to create two zones, one for meal prep and one for dining. Now when extended family come to visit, they can cook and gather comfortably in a space that exudes sophistication and charm.

Becca is here to help you design a kitchen you’ll love to make memories in, so if you’re ready to discuss your ideas, give her a call. For more inspiration, follow our accounts on Instagram and Pinterest, or subscribe to our newsletter for customer stories like this one.