Classic Design, Modern Living: Inside Our Gut Kitchen Renovation
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Our recent kitchen renovation was an ambitious blend of honoring the timeless qualities of our New England Coastal meets Shaker-style home while integrating modern amenities and thoughtful design techniques. Hiring local subcontractors to demo this space down to the studs and then build it back up to make it pretty took a total of five months start to finish. With this remodel, we set out to create a space that feels both classic and current, embracing craftsmanship and functionality while infusing our personal style.
It would be remiss of me to not extend my heartfelt gratitude to my fabulous brand partners who sponsored this renovation, whether it was through gifted products or steeper trade discounts, every bit counts! We couldn’t have made this happen without the generosity and support of Cliq Studios, Signature Hardware, Neolith North America, Hudson Valley Lighting, Troy Lighting, ILVE, and McGee & Co.
Statement Appliances & Discreet Elegance
Central to the design is our stunning 36” ILVE Nostalgie range in matte graphite, dressed up with brass claw feet. The range is framed by separate 24” fridge and freezer columns for perfect symmetry. Custom panels from Cliq Studios conceal large appliances, and our creamy white perimeter cabinets extend all the way down to the countertops, keeping small appliances hidden while maintaining a seamless look. The “Talbot” door style on our flush-inset cabinetry adds to the refined feel.
The Signature Hardware Beasley polished nickel bridge faucet with a pull-down spout brings both beauty and practicality (and don’t forget the matching flange), while polished brass hardware—highlighted by ornate Temple brass cremone bolts on our glass hutch cabinets—adds warmth and vintage charm. The Neolith sintered stone Calacatta Royale polished countertops provide a durable, elegant surface that ties it all together.
Rich Textures & Thoughtful Details
Our “French Roast” stained quartersawn oak island from the Craftsman collection at CliqStudios, with turned wood legs that we stained ourselves in Varathane Dark Walnut gel stain, as well as double doors that open out to the family room for extra storage (we keep things like holiday serve ware, flower vases, and my not-often-used baking goods in these) anchors the space with a rich contrast against the lighter perimeter cabinets. The 32” reeded-front farmhouse sink, complete with a carpenter-crafted wood drip ledge stained to match the island, blends functionality with artisanal detail.
For our eat-in dining area, our carpenter installed a built-in banquette seat with a custom linen cushion sourced from Etsy. The banquette is framed by cozy café curtains (use my code CAITPAPPAS for a discount!), and the side chairs—featuring woven elements—give a subtle nod to the New England coastal Shaker style. I chose the green upholstered armchairs to lend a touch of rustic to this setting, honoring our personal style and stepping out just a little from our core design themes.
Over the range, I asked out carpenter to create two sweet little filigree details to mount in the corners. They add a cottagey softness that I felt this kitchen needed. Below those, you’ll find that I pulled the cabinetry out 1.5” from the wall so that the drawer stacks flanking our range would be flush with its depth rather than slightly behind it. The countertops return to standard depth just before meeting the sides of the refrigerator and freezer side panels.
Paint Colors and Wood Finishes
Of course, no source guide would be complete without mention of the paint colors and flooring materials used! I chose LL Flooring’s Monaco White Oak Engineered Hardwood for our entire home, and this material actually informed the majority of the finishes I selected in each space. Unfortunately, this cannot be linked at the moment. On the walls, I kept it warm and neutral by choosing Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. On the trim, crown, and base, our painter applied it in a semigloss finish, and since we have smooth walls here in Illinois (as opposed to the knock-down-textured walls we had in Colorado), we were able to have an eggshell finish on the walls. Note: If your walls are textured, I recommend a matte or flat finish, as it is less reflective and will not show as many shadows, which helps reduce the bumpy effect in textured walls.
The cabinet colors are custom from Cliq Studios. On the perimeter cabinets and trim, we chose a creamy white paint color called “Divinity.” It’s a touch more buttery than the “Lily” ivory-white cabinet color we had in our Colorado kitchen, and I feel it brings more of a country-cottage touch to this kitchen. The dark stained cabinets are quarter sawn red oak, stained in Cliq Studios’ “French Roast.” The shelving material inside the upper glass cabinets are a shade lighter than the island, called “Eagle Rock,” also by Cliq Studios.
Elevated Lighting Choices
Lighting plays a pivotal role in the transformation of this space, adding warmth and sophistication. We chose antique brass fixtures in sleek, modern silhouettes from Hudson Valley Lighting and their sub-brand Troy Lighting to complement the blend of old and new. The 20” Rainhill pendants above the island feature clean lines that subtly contrast with the traditional elements in the room, while still honoring the overall timeless aesthetic. Wall-mounted Fresno sconces flank the range, while a warm LED lighting strip illuminates the countertop area underneath the adjacent glass-door cabinets. In lieu of the can lights above the range wall, I selected three dainty, curvy, antique-looking Fleming 5” flush mount fixtures. They are unexpected, and a major design upgrade on your standard puck light.
The polished brass Ripley chandelier with delicate white Belgian linen shades and rattan-wrapped arms in the eat-in dining area ties the space together with a cohesive, glowing ambiance. Just beyond the kitchen and eat-in dining, there’s a pantry space that is yet to be constructed (cabinets are in production!), but the lighting I chose is one of my favorites: the 13” Maxton semi flush ceiling light has a modern spin on a nautical design, honoring our home’s New England Coastal architectural style.
Thoughtful Hardware Choices: Polished Brass Accents
The polished brass hardware throughout the kitchen was thoughtfully selected to create visual interest and cohesion. The ornate cremone bolts on the built-in glass hutch cabinets provide a vintage-inspired touch, while simpler knobs and pulls on the perimeter base cabinets maintain balance. The four middle drawers in the hutch section have a more furniture-like pull, with unlacquered brass latch sets adorning all of the upper solid-door cabinets. This mix of intricate and understated brass accents enhances the character of the space, adding warmth and depth without feeling overdone.
Looking Ahead: The Butler’s Pantry
A colonial-style arched opening leads to the future butler’s pantry, which will mirror the deep brown “French Roast” stained quarter sawn oak cabinetry of the island. To save some money, I chose a design with full-overlay doors rather than exactly matching the flush inset you see in the kitchen: Berkeley from CliqStudios’ Craftsman collection. Keeping the same stain and wood material as the kitchen island, though, will ensure these two spaces flow nicely. For the countertops, I have not yet made a selection, but plan to choose a material that is slightly darker than the kitchen counters. I will update this post once that stone is selected and I have some photos! We’re also excited to add a panel-ready wine fridge and open shelving that extends up the wall, enhancing both storage and style.
Did I miss any details you were hoping to find here? If so, please drop a question in the comments and I will reply as quickly as I can there. I’d also love to know if you have a favorite detail—drop that in the comments if you have a minute please! Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our kitchen renovation.
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