This kitchen is part of a full home renovation project that we were honored to help with. The original structure is an early 1900s four square house that we added on to in almost every direction. We got to reimagine the entire house down to the studs. Our clients kept and refinished all of the original doors and hardwood flooring, and changed pretty much everything else. This is the first of many posts on this project, and as you will see, contrast between rooms became a defining feature of the design. In this project, you experience contrast whether you enter through the front door or the back door. Today, we are starting with the back entrance and breaking down the details from the mudroom to the kitchen and pantry.
To start with, we completely reorganized the house to create an entry sequence from the new garage that considers the family’s natural rhythms of daily life. Flipping the kitchen to the opposite side of the house and adding a mudroom on the back provides a convenient drop zone upon entering the house and a straight path to get a snack and head to the couch, up to your room, or to the home office.
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The kitchen was designed as a bright, welcoming hub for daily life. Warm white cabinetry, clean lines, and an abundance of natural light create an atmosphere that feels refined and functional. At its center, a hardworking island in stained wood, anchors the space thoughtfully with a sink, dishwasher, integrated trash drawer, and ice maker. It’s a space designed not just for gathering, but for real life in motion. One of the kitchen’s standout features is the custom range nook. Designed to house a 48-inch range, this focal point is framed with intention and finished with a full slab backsplash that brings subtle movement and visual continuity. The surrounding inset cabinetry reinforces the custom, furniture-like quality of the space, while hidden appliances maintain the kitchen’s tailored aesthetic.
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Just beyond the kitchen, and through a double acting swinging door, the pantry offers a dramatic shift in tone. With dark cabinets and countertops, this space feels like a perfect counterpoint to the kitchen’s brightness. It’s a design choice that not only adds visual interest, but also enhances the overall experience of moving through the home. The pantry is more than just extra storage; it has its own moody identity.
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Connecting these two spaces visually, is one of the most important pathways in the home; the family’s everyday entrance through the mudroom. Located just off the kitchen and adjacent to the garage, this transitional space was designed to seamlessly tie the light and dark palettes together. A checkered floor introduces pattern, while warm wood cabinetry echoes the richness of the pantry and ties into the kitchen island. The result is a cohesive flow connecting each distinct space.
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Together, the kitchen, pantry, and mudroom create a rhythm of contrast and continuity. Bright meets moody. Function meets beauty. And every detail works in harmony to support the way this family lives, moves, and gathers every day.
Photography by: Amanda Lovelace Photography @amandalovelacephotography