3 Kitchen Island Ideas You Haven’t Thought Of

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Transitional Kitchen by Marrokal Design & Remodeling
Marrokal Design & Remodeling
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1. Doggone Good
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Designers: John Ryan and Jensen Landers (interior design) and Jason Dorman (design consultant) of Marrokal Design & Remodeling
Location: San Diego
Size: 295 square feet (27 square meters), including a walk-in pantry and attached dining room
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Homeowners’ request. A more open and inviting kitchen for entertaining and gathering. The project included knocking down a couple of walls and doorways for an airier feel.
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Island idea. Customized pet-feeding station. The decision came about because the dog bowls always seemed to be in the way in their old kitchen. In addition to the food station, dog food, leashes, collars and other accessories are stored in the drawer above for easy access.
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Contemporary Kitchen by Marrokal Design & Remodeling
Marrokal Design & Remodeling
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Designer secret. Give the feeding station its own matching backsplash.
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“The ledge on the opening is the same honed granite used on the island counter, and the backsplash is the same as the rest of the kitchen, which was a linear marble stack tile,” says designer Jensen Landers.
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Island countertop: Honed granite in Thunder White, Daltile; perimeter countertop: honed quartz in Mercer Grey, Daltile; backsplash: Styx Arctic Blend marble, Soho Studio; wall paint: Agreeable Gray, Sherwin-Williams; floor tile: Taupe, 18 by 36 inches, Soho Studio
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See more of this home | Find wall and floor tile
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Kitchen by Emily Culley
Emily Culley
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2. Double Impact
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Designer: Emily Culley of Kitchen & Bath Galleries
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 224 square feet (21 square meters); 16 by 14 feet
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Homeowners’ request. Open the kitchen to an adjacent living room and freshen up the aesthetic and function.
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Island Idea. Two countertop materials — honed bianco olinda marble and black walnut — allow the island “to feel more like a piece of furniture,” says designer Emily Culley. “This allows for a larger island without the need for a seam in the [stone] countertop.”
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Kitchen by Emily Culley
Emily Culley
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Other special features. Laser-cut marble backsplash and burnished brass hardware
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Designer secret. Culley removed a cooktop previously in the island and added a slide-in range along the back wall with a custom hood above to create a beautiful focal point. “We [also] color-matched the house trim paint color to the cabinetry color to flow the space,” she says.
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Faucet: Cassidy in Champagne Bronze, Delta; cabinets: in Frosty White and Navy colors, Crystal Cabinets; hardware: Browning Pulls, Atlas
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Farmhouse Kitchen by BILOTTA KITCHENS
BILOTTA KITCHENS
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3. Nice Vise
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Designers: Paulette Gambacorta of Bilotta Kitchens, Reza Nouranian of Reza Nouranian Design (interior designer) and Rich Granoff of Granoff Architects
Location: Bedford, New York
Size: 385 square feet (36 square meters)
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Homeowners’ request. A casual barn feel in “keeping with the spirit of the horse farm property, complete with a brand-new horse barn adjacent to the house,” says designer Paulette Gambacorta.
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Island idea. An old carpenter’s workbench, complete with vise. The homeowner bought it in an antiques store. Its origin is unknown.
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Traditional Kitchen by BILOTTA KITCHENS
BILOTTA KITCHENS
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Other special features. Light green cabinets (matched to Grassland by Sherwin-Williams) with a charcoal glaze on maple. Reclaimed-wood shelves on iron brackets in place of the upper cabinets. Marble countertops with a hand-cut edge detail to resemble the look of when the stone was first quarried.
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Designer secret. “Because the existing window in the corner of the room was so much smaller than the new window, the interior designer decided to basically ignore the window and run the reclaimed-wood open shelving right across that window,” says Gambacorta. “Unconventional, yes, but brilliant.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “When the decision was made to use a 60-inch range (a monster!) on the 13-foot wall, and then the homeowner wanted an extra-large fridge to be on that same wall, it really didn’t leave much room for countertop space on either side of the range,” Gambacorta says. “Since they’re avid cooks, that was a must-have. So, a compromise was made to separate the fridge and the freezer. They cook mostly fresh foods on a daily basis and don’t use a freezer much at all. So, a paneled 30-inch all-refrigerator was placed on the range wall, and a separate 24-inch stainless all-freezer was placed in the pantry with open shelves, giving it the feel of an English larder. This room is totally open to the kitchen area.”
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Cabinets: flush flat panel in custom green paint, Bilotta Collection; hardware: iron; builder: Doug Slater of D.A.S. Custom Builders; project photos: Peter Krupenye
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3 Kitchens With Wonderfully Rustic Character

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Wood, stone and other natural elements come together in these warm, inviting mountain kitchens

 

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1. Rich and Raw

Designers: Peter Zimmerman Architects; Peace Design (interior design); Yellowstone Traditions (builder)
Location: Jackson, Wyoming
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. A home reminiscent of an original homesteader’s log house, functional yet with a historic feel.

Rustic palette. Moss rock veneer. Soapstone countertops. Reclaimed-wood walls, structural beams, ceiling planks, floorboards and custom cabinets. “Embracing the concept of a log home, the entire interior is wood, either log or board,” project manager Tim Blazina of Yellowstone Traditions says. “All of the materials were reclaimed. The owner wanted every element of the home to have soul.”

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Other special features. Custom range hood. The house was constructed with reclaimed hand-hewn timbers, standing dead-log beams and details, antique oak flooring and wormy chestnut cabinets.

Cabinet hardware: Montana Sash & Door; all decor provided by Peace Design; photography: Audrey Hall
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2. Light and Airy

Designer: Paul Bertelli of JLF & Associates
Location: Big Sky, Montana
Size: 304 square feet (28 square meters); 16 by 19 feet

Homeowners’ request. A bright, clean, functional and family-friendly kitchen featuring materials with depth and interest.

Rustic palette. Hand-hewn reclaimed-oak ceiling timbers. Stone wall portions. “The material palette uses the same reclaimed-oak material in different ways to soften the space and make it feel inviting,” designer Paul Bertelli says.
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Other special features. Whitewashed oak plank floors. Natural-finish oak island table. Shiplap-style wall and cabinet detail. Waterfall-edge countertop peninsula.

Designer secret. “To take full advantage of the views at the kitchen sink, we eliminated the upper cabinets and provided ample storage in the lower cabinetry layout,” Bertelli says.

Pendant lights: Holly Hunt; glass shelf brackets: Sugatsune; range hood: Wolf

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3. Sophisticated and Symmetrical

Designer: Laura Sullivan of ID.ology Interiors & Design
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Size: 266 square feet (25 square meters); 19 by 14 feet

Homeowners’ request. A large, open kitchen ideal for entertaining, with lots of light, a built-in booth, a large center island, a beverage center and a symmetrical design.

Rustic palette. Leathered-granite countertops. Wood beams and floors. Stone fireplace in nearby living room.
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Other special features. Shiplap backsplash. Molded walnut stools. Pop-up vent hood on island range for unobstructed views.

Designer secret. “Clean, symmetrical lines and understanding that the exterior beauty was a highlighted element that we were designing around,” designer Laura Sullivan says.

“Uh-oh” moment. “We went back and forth a couple of times on whether to paint the booth Peppercorn [by Sherwin-Williams] or white,” Sullivan says. “We ended repainting darker for more of a wow factor.”

Wall and cabinet paint: Extra White, Sherwin-Williams; trim and booth paint: Peppercorn, Sherwin-Williams; stools: Organic Modernism; pendants: Lamps Plus; designer-builder: Living Stone Design + Build

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This article originally appeared on houzz.com

Crowd-Pleasing Paint Colors for Staging Your Home

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When prepping your home for sale, one of the most important tasks is giving your walls a fresh coat of paint. The standard advice from most real estate professionals is to keep them neutral with shades of white. But as a home stager and an interior designer, I prefer to take a more stylish approach.
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Remember, the overall goal of home staging is to make each room feel fresh, inviting and neutral enough so that prospective buyers can imagine themselves living there. That doesn’t have to translate, however, to bland, boring and devoid of style. Sometimes white can work, but a greater concern is making sure the room doesn’t look too stark. These elegant, crowd-pleasing neutral paint colors can help you stage your home to perfection.
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Contemporary Living Room by FIG Interiors
FIG Interiors
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As you consider these choices, keep in mind that to present your home in the right light, you’ll want to select a neutral paint color that coordinates with your furnishings and finishes. The following warm or dark neutrals can add style and while maintaining a mainstream look.
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Gorgeous ‘Greige’
Gray has been the new white for years now. But not all grays are created equal. “Greige,” a pale gray with a beige undertone, is one of the most versatile colors for staging. Essentially a pale taupe, greige is a cool, sophisticated hue that can elegantly complement and add depth to a mostly white room. It’s great in both large and smaller spaces.
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Wall paint: Elephant’s Breath No. 229, Farrow & Ball
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Traditional Living Room by Echelon Custom Homes
Echelon Custom Homes
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In this room, this go-to paint color for home stagers adds subtle contrast to the mostly white and beige palette. If the walls here were painted white, the space would have a starker look with less personality.
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Wall paint: Kestrel White SW-7516, Sherwin-Williams; also try Mega Greige, Sherwin-Williams
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Transitional Living Room by Plum Interiors
Plum Interiors
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Bird’s Egg Blue
I always refer to this type of blue as a grown-up turquoise. A warm medium blue with sunny undertones, bird’s egg blue is an elegant choice for living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, particularly when the rest of the room is white, beige or gray.
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Wall paint: Pale Powder, Farrow & Ball
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Traditional Bedroom by Arch Studio, Inc.
Arch Studio, Inc.
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A pale serene turquoise works well with both traditional and modern decor to create a soothing feeling in this room. This calm environment can have a positive emotional effect on potential buyers and allow them to appreciate the beauty of the space.
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In this large bedroom with textiles in shades of white, the pale turquoise creates a stylistic feature of the angled ceilings and beams while still giving the room a peaceful color palette.
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Wall paint: Woodlawn Blue, HC-147, Benjamin Moore; also try Lulworth Blue No. 89, Farrow & Ball, or Gossamer Blue 2123-40, Benjamin Moore
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Transitional Home Office Transitional Home Office
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Dramatic Charcoal
A darker color can also be a surprising neutral. Many people might be hesitant to use a dark paint color, thinking it will make the room look smaller or darker. A dark color can, however, add depth on an accent wall. In a dark room it can conceal any shadows and replace an overall dark feeling with a serene and stylish one.Charcoal, a deep gray, is a perfect dark neutral that can raise the style factor in a room as well as add a refreshing cool tone that complements beige and orange wood hues. Adding subdued drama, it works well in light-filled rooms or on an accent wall, especially in smaller rooms or on walls where you want to feature an architectural element.For a stylish contrast, coordinate charcoal walls with accessories and furniture in lighter colors, such as whites and pale beiges.Wall paint: Kendall Charcoal HC-166, Benjamin Moore
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Contemporary Living Room by Maneli Wilson Interiors
Maneli Wilson Interiors
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In this double-height living room, the cool character of the charcoal accent wall tones down the warm honey tones of the wood and brown sofa. It also gives the room a crisp modern feeling, coordinates with the clean, contemporary architectural lines and features the soaring ceiling, which is no doubt one of the selling points of this home.
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Accent wall paint: Stormy Sky 1616, Benjamin Moore; also try Peppercorn SW-7674, Sherwin-Williams
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Traditional Kitchen by J.A.S. Design-Build
J.A.S. Design-Build
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Golden Yellow
Let the sunshine in with a little golden yellow on your walls or fixed elements such as cabinets. This photo shows how a cheerful yellow can add warmth to a mostly white kitchen; it works well with white or stainless steel appliances.
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Cabinet paint: Castilian Gold, Pratt & Lambert
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Traditional Bedroom by Martha O'Hara Interiors
Martha O’Hara Interiors
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In other rooms, such as a cozy bedroom or living room, this color’s sunny disposition can add a layer of charm to an otherwise blah color palette. It’s especially helpful in rooms that have low light, no view, or architectural features that cast dark shadows. The golden hues help eliminate a darker feeling and can distract from a bleak view.
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Look for a yellow that has a slight wheat or creamy undertone and that isn’t overly bright or garish. A mellow yellow coordinates with most wood hues, earth tones, blues and pastel colors.
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Wall paint: Traditional Yellow 170, Benjamin Moore; also try Ray of Light CSP-910 or Beacon Hill Damask HC-2, both Benjamin Moore
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Transitional Living Room by Emily A. Clark
Emily A. Clark
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Classic Navy
Navy blue is an excellent paint color to add sophistication, drama and a feeling of refined maturity to a room. Similar to charcoal gray, navy works well in a light-filled room or on a featured accent wall, particularly in smaller rooms or walls with architectural details like a fireplace.
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Coordinate navy with contrasting pale hues like whites, silver or beiges.
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Wall paint: Stunning 826, Benjamin Moore
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Transitional Bedroom by Lisa Clark Design
Lisa Clark Design
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As seen in this beautiful bedroom, a navy accent wall gives an ordinary room a more designed and notable look. The dark wall not only creates a dramatic backdrop to the simple wood bed and white accessories, it also adds visual depth to that part of the room. This is a clever design trick to help a room feel a bit larger or appropriately functional to a prospective buyer.
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Wall paint: Hale Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore; also try Indigo Ink HDC-CL-26A, Behr, or Commodore 6524, Sherwin-Williams
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Transitional Living Room by McKee & Company
McKee & Company
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Creamy Whites
If your walls are already a shade of white and adding a new color isn’t in your comfort zone, look to neutral creamy whites to give the room a warm and refreshing look.
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Creamy white has an undertone of pale beige or greige, without being too yellow. The added warmth can give a stark room a welcoming glow without adding color.
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Wall paint: Elmira White HC-84, Benjamin Moore
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Farmhouse Bathroom by Chandelier Development Inc
Chandelier Development Inc
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Pair your creamy white walls with a whiter color on the trim, ceiling and fixtures. The ivory-toned walls in this bathroom, for example, create a subtle contrast between the cooler white of the bathtub and surround. The effect in this rustic bathroom is a soft glow — something a paler or cooler white wouldn’t do.
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Wall paint: Muskoka Trail 974, Benjamin Moore; also try Linen White 912 or Glacier White AC-40, both Benjamin Moore; ceiling paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
Please contact me for more free staging ideas!
626.825.0161 // cynthia.tilleman@podley.com
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What’s the Difference Between Quartzite and Quartz?

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The subtle differences between quartzite and quartz seem to befuddle everyone from design-savvy clients to industry experts. Some people even use the names interchangeably, which is a huge mistake because it only adds to the confusion. Each material has its pros and cons, so educating yourself on the facts is important, especially if you are considering either of these beauties for your home improvement project. A quartz versus quartzite showdown is well overdue, so let’s dive in.
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Quartzite is a natural stone that is extracted from the earth, just as marble, limestone or soapstone are quarried.
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Traditional Kitchen by Arizona Tile
Arizona Tile
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Quartz, or engineered quartz, is manmade. It’s composed of roughly 90 percent ground quartz (the actual mineral), with the remaining 10 percent being a mixed cocktail of resins, polymers and pigments that varies by manufacturer.
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by Marie Flanigan Interiors
Marie Flanigan Interiors
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Why Should You Care?
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The difference between the two translates to discrepancies in form and function. Quartzite and quartz both offer durability. In fact, each outperforms granite in terms of hardness. However, you will definitely want to consider the factors that follow before you decide on your new kitchen or bathroom countertops. (Can you guess which material our firm selected for this kitchen? Hint: Our client wanted to go au naturale.)
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Contemporary Kitchen by Marble of the World
Marble of the World
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Variation vs. Uniformity
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Because quartzite comes directly from Mother Nature, it displays infinite variation in color and pattern, meaning no two slabs are exactly the same.
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Transitional Kitchen by Sutro Architects
Sutro Architects
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Meanwhile, quartz attempts to replicate those distinct characteristics, such as veining. Technology is always advancing, and engineered materials are getting harder to distinguish from the real deal. But because quartz is produced in a controlled manner on a large scale, at some point patterns emerge and repetition happens.
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Contemporary Kitchen by abodwell interior design- Brittney Fischbeck
abodwell interior design- Brittney Fischbeck
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Conversely, bold markings like veins can be removed entirely from quartz, and the end result is a more consistent and uniform appearance.

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What Color Countertop Should You Choose?

Contemporary Kitchen by LB Design
LB Design
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Heat Resistance vs. Stain Resistance
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In addition to hardness, most people are concerned with whether a stone will resist heat and staining over time, especially if you’re talking about an enthusiastic entertainer or a bustling family with young children.
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Quartzite wins in terms of heat resistance, making it a prime candidate for kitchens. (No worries if you happen to set that hot pan down for a moment on the counter next to your stove.)
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Contemporary Kitchen by Ann Lowengart Interiors
Ann Lowengart Interiors
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On the other hand, the density of quartz makes it more able to combat stains than its fully organic counterpart. Which means you can opt for solid white quartz in the kitchen and won’t need to fret over any of those inevitable messes and spills.
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by Marie Flanigan Interiors
Marie Flanigan Interiors
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A case can be made for either material, so it is helpful to think through the way you envision yourself using and maintaining the space to determine your highest priority. Our clients loved the pretty look and high performance of Taj Mahal quartzite in their kitchen so much that they carried it into their butler’s pantry wet bar, shown here.
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Contemporary Kitchen by Neuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.
Neuhaus Design Architecture, P.C.
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Of course, it is always recommended that you seal any slab to protect it from everyday use. (This lovely waterfall island and gleaming backsplash is made from quartzite.)
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Transitional Bathroom by Kirk Riley Design
Kirk Riley Design
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Etching vs. Scratching
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Etching is not staining. It’s almost like an added layer of patina that shows up in high-traffic areas or under certain lighting. For example, etching can appear as discoloration that looks like dark water spots next to your sink even after the droplets have dried. Lucky for us, neither quartz nor quartzite are prone to etching, so both have become a popular choice for bathroom vanities. Judging by this gorgeous dark quartz countertop installation, it’s not hard to see why.
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Contemporary Bathroom Contemporary Bathroom
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Again, quartz was used throughout this bathroom as both the vanity top and the tub deck. Splash it everywhere (literally), and ease your mind. No etching here.
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Contemporary Kitchen by Aria Stone Gallery
Aria Stone Gallery
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As far as scratches are concerned, remember those beautiful veins and the broad range of colors quartzite offers? Those features can be super helpful in disguising imperfections. And at the end of the day, quartzite is indeed more scratch-resistant than quartz. This lovely island from Aria Stone Gallery has us ready to dig right in.
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Contemporary Bathroom by Kelly Scanlon Interior Design
Kelly Scanlon Interior Design
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The more uniform surface of quartz can make any abnormality (like a deep scratch) stand out. But, since it’s unlikely that items like hairbrushes would be hard enough to cause any noticeable damage, it was a safe, serene and soothing choice here.
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Contemporary Bathroom by Sara Baldwin Design
Sara Baldwin Design
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Specialty Applications
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So, what do you think? Are you a fan of quartzite or quartz? Perhaps the examples that follow will sway you one way or the other. These specialty applications demonstrate that you can think outside the “countertop” box and use these versatile materials in lots of surprising ways. For instance, the entire wall in this stunning bathroom is covered with Blue Macaubas quartzite. Wow!
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Contemporary Kitchen by Tim Clarke Design
Tim Clarke Design
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Or check out this integrated quartz sink. Creating an apron-front sink from the same material as the surrounding countertops is an effective way to achieve a streamlined and consistent look.
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Contemporary Living Room by Elevation
Elevation
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Did you know that quartz and quartzite can also be used to create fireplace surrounds? This living room features a quartz surround, and the way it blends so effortlessly with the other architectural details of the space is the epitome of understated elegance.
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Transitional Dining Room by Aria Stone Gallery
Aria Stone Gallery
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For something really extraordinary, hang a stone slab as artwork. (You’ll need a wall that can support the weight.) A natural stone, like the quartzite shown above, makes for a bold statement with its unique veining and uncommon colors. But if you’re aiming for a more modernist, abstract piece, manmade quartz would work too.
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by Aria Stone Gallery
Aria Stone Gallery
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Finally, even after you’ve done your research, it’s always a good idea to consult your designer or the professionals at your local stone supplier showroom. They know all the nitty-gritty details and can help you decide which material is most appropriate for your unique lifestyle and home.
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Pros and Cons Recap
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Quartz
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Pros: Durable; can come in solid colors for a more uniform look; very stain resistant; not prone to etching

Cons: Because it’s an engineered product, sometimes pattern repetition occurs; not as heat resistant or scratch resistant as quartzite

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Quartzite

Pros: Durable; because it’s a natural stone, there is infinite variation in color and pattern (no two slabs are the same); very heat resistant; not prone to etching; more scratch resistant than quartz

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Cons: Not as stain resistant as quartz

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