In kitchens, light unabashedly symbolizes joyful happiness. Creating lighter possibilities within a darker kitchen was the exact mission of a St. Louis family of four when they contracted a remodeling project. Enter Ladue-based Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath designer Christine Paul and team to this renewal rescue.
“The contrast of dark and white sets the tone for a fusion of elements in this kitchen remodel. The homeowners’ main renovation objectives were to increase the natural light and to use lighter finishes. We first enlarged the kitchen window and relocated the refrigerator to allow passage of more natural light,” Christine says.
The ‘before’ kitchen in this modern Victorian-style home built in 1988 included dated, dark-stained cabinets, black countertops, inadequate lighting and bulky soffits. Christine says those soffits were removed, and functional lighting was generated with decorative pendants and sconces.
“The area’s white perimeter expands and brightens the previously dark, closed-in kitchen. A full-height, shingle-pattern backsplash tile quietly glimmers as a backdrop, adding some subtle texture,” Christine explains.
She says the clients of this project expressed an interest in a pewter range hood, and she was able to find a custom hood company located outside of Missouri to manufacture the delicate design needed for the brushed finish to enhance the kitchen’s new look. The hood is lined with brass strapping and catches people’s attention as the main focal point, she affirms.
“Warm brass elements are sprinkled throughout the kitchen, on the faucet, cabinet pulls, wall sconces, pendants and brass caps on the island posts,” Christine says.
Dynamic, new pendant fixtures used in the remodel were predetermined by the client. When the double kitchen islands were established to create an easy walkway to the new refrigerator location, the selection of two pendant fixtures were ideal, states Christine.
She adds that she also wanted to improve the function of the space for this family. So, within the area, Christine created a new, walk-in pantry behind the refrigerator, installed a butler’s pantry adjacent to the dining room and transformed a previously unused desk area into a walk-up bar. The same dark finish adds drama to the bar, complete with a wine cooler for 42 bottles, beverage center and lockable cabinet for valuable vintages.
The former kitchen island was long and included a shallow area for bar-height seating. Christine says the new design breaks the space into two islands, providing an aisle for easy access to the new refrigerator location. “Designing the seating area at counter-height integrates it and keeps the kitchen feeling open. The dark gray finish crisply contrasts with the white perimeter and Calcutta-style quartz tops,” she adds.
The designer says a gray faux-oak porcelain backsplash tile provides a linear element that balances the full-height wall towers, and a mirror-concealed television can be conveniently viewed from the island seating.
In addition to an extremely clean look, Christine says the white design was accented with Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore paint to balance with the kitchen islands, butler’s pantry and bar, with remodeling concluded in approximately four months.
