Peek Inside The Stylish Forever Home of an Empty Nester Couple
See and read how a designer renovated a kitchen and bathroom for US clients seeking to age in place
Mitchell Parker
7 July 2021
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
In this episode of Houzz TV Live, designer Jena Bula of Delphinium Design highlights a kitchen and bathroom she renovated for an empty-nest couple’s forever home in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the US. In the open-plan kitchen, white Shaker-style cabinets, a blue island, a porcelain tile herringbone splashback and polished-nickel finishes give the space a fresh, modern-day style. A pantry wall hides a coffee station, while the hardworking island includes a paper-towel holder and pullouts for garbage and recycling.
In the bathroom, large-format tiles minimise grout lines to make cleaning easier. Each of the two vanities has a storage tower with interior outlets for charging electric toothbrushes. And pampering features include heated floors; a spa bath; and a shower with body sprays, a handheld spray and a rain shower head.
Bula also discusses how she used Houzz Pro software for creating product proposals, invoices and mood boards.
In the bathroom, large-format tiles minimise grout lines to make cleaning easier. Each of the two vanities has a storage tower with interior outlets for charging electric toothbrushes. And pampering features include heated floors; a spa bath; and a shower with body sprays, a handheld spray and a rain shower head.
Bula also discusses how she used Houzz Pro software for creating product proposals, invoices and mood boards.
Before: The former kitchen was functional enough, but the couple wanted something that better fitted their lifestyle and long-term plans for staying in the home. “They were interested in having a space that was really custom to them, and their wants and needs, and something that would help them age in place,” says Bula.
Bula removed the island peninsula to create more of an open connection to the adjacent living room. She removed the built-in desk next to the fridge and small pantry to free up space for more targeted storage. And she had the floors refinished to address the yellow tone the couple disliked.
Watch now: Go inside this updated kitchen and bathroom in a North Carolina forever home
Bula removed the island peninsula to create more of an open connection to the adjacent living room. She removed the built-in desk next to the fridge and small pantry to free up space for more targeted storage. And she had the floors refinished to address the yellow tone the couple disliked.
Watch now: Go inside this updated kitchen and bathroom in a North Carolina forever home
After: With the peninsula gone, Bula added a larger island that she repositioned to create an easy layout between the kitchen and eat-in dining area.
A hardworking new pantry wall replaced the former built-in desk and small pantry. Fresh white Shaker-style cabinets painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore brighten the room. “It’s a warmer white so it just has a softer, less-sterile feel to it,” says Bula.
Newburyport Blue, also by Benjamin Moore, on the island gives the kitchen a stylish two-tone effect. “It’s not as dark as [Benjamin Moore’s] Hale Navy; it still comes across a little bit more blue, and we really liked that you could feel almost that coastal vibe without feeling like you’re at the beach.”
Find a kitchen designer near you
A hardworking new pantry wall replaced the former built-in desk and small pantry. Fresh white Shaker-style cabinets painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore brighten the room. “It’s a warmer white so it just has a softer, less-sterile feel to it,” says Bula.
Newburyport Blue, also by Benjamin Moore, on the island gives the kitchen a stylish two-tone effect. “It’s not as dark as [Benjamin Moore’s] Hale Navy; it still comes across a little bit more blue, and we really liked that you could feel almost that coastal vibe without feeling like you’re at the beach.”
Find a kitchen designer near you
The pantry wall includes deep rollout drawers for items such as cereal boxes and chips. There’s also a hidden coffee station that helps keep the benchtops free of clutter.
The 1.6m round table is custom made of ash. “It almost looks like it’s unfinished but it’s actually a custom light bleached stain that we did on it with a food-safe finish,” says Bula.
A warmer, medium tone stain on the floors removed the yellow tones.
The 1.6m round table is custom made of ash. “It almost looks like it’s unfinished but it’s actually a custom light bleached stain that we did on it with a food-safe finish,” says Bula.
A warmer, medium tone stain on the floors removed the yellow tones.
Marble-look quartz countertops provide style and durability. “[The homeowners] like to entertain, so they don’t have to worry about friends or guests having to put a coaster down or leaving a ring on their benchtop,” says Bula.
Placing the sink off-centre gave the couple benchtop space to prep and serve dishes. A rubbish and recycling pullout in the island lets the couple sweep things right into a bin from the counter.
Watch now: Go inside this updated kitchen and bathroom
Placing the sink off-centre gave the couple benchtop space to prep and serve dishes. A rubbish and recycling pullout in the island lets the couple sweep things right into a bin from the counter.
Watch now: Go inside this updated kitchen and bathroom
Bula coordinated the pendant lights, cabinet hardware and tapware in a polished nickel finish. “I think it has a real warmth to it versus a chrome that’s a little bit cooler,” she says.
The splashback is porcelain tile set in a herringbone pattern. “Still a classic pattern and timeless, not trendy but just gives it a little bit of interest,” says Bula.
She also created a layered lighting scheme with natural light from nearby windows, recessed ceiling lights (which were removed in these photos) and glass globe pendants over the island. “I think [the pendants] have very cool light bulbs so it gives a fun detail to the space as well,” says Bula.
A custom-made range hood hangs over the new 90-cm range stove. Bula says she and the homeowners had to order all the appliances well in advance because of industry-wide product delays. “We probably took three to four months to get these in,” she says. “The dishwasher was delayed almost eight months, though. We are seeing a lot more delays than we normally do.”
The splashback is porcelain tile set in a herringbone pattern. “Still a classic pattern and timeless, not trendy but just gives it a little bit of interest,” says Bula.
She also created a layered lighting scheme with natural light from nearby windows, recessed ceiling lights (which were removed in these photos) and glass globe pendants over the island. “I think [the pendants] have very cool light bulbs so it gives a fun detail to the space as well,” says Bula.
A custom-made range hood hangs over the new 90-cm range stove. Bula says she and the homeowners had to order all the appliances well in advance because of industry-wide product delays. “We probably took three to four months to get these in,” she says. “The dishwasher was delayed almost eight months, though. We are seeing a lot more delays than we normally do.”
In the main bathroom, Bula used large-format tiles on the floor and in the shower to minimise the amount of grout lines that need to be kept clean. The heated floors are marble-look porcelain, which coordinates with marble-look quartz countertops and tub surround.
The shower features a rain shower head, handheld spray and body sprays. An accented niche stores the couple’s shower products.
Below that, another niche (partly visible behind the basket of towels on the bath ledge) gives the homeowners a spot to prop a foot to make it easier to wash one’s legs. “I think they’re super functional but also a great substitute if you don’t have space or if you don’t want a bench,” says Bula.
The shower features a rain shower head, handheld spray and body sprays. An accented niche stores the couple’s shower products.
Below that, another niche (partly visible behind the basket of towels on the bath ledge) gives the homeowners a spot to prop a foot to make it easier to wash one’s legs. “I think they’re super functional but also a great substitute if you don’t have space or if you don’t want a bench,” says Bula.
The bathroom has two vanities, each with its own linen cupboard. The cabinets are painted in gray-green Pigeon by Farrow & Ball. “We wanted something with a little bit of a green, spa-like warmer undertone,” says Bula. “I feel like it brings some personality to the space and doesn’t make it feel quite as sterile.”
The walls are Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore.
Unlacquered brass sconces flanking the frameless mirrors will patina over time.
The walls are Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore.
Unlacquered brass sconces flanking the frameless mirrors will patina over time.
The bath features grab bars for safety, plus a touchpad control, massage jets and a silicone pillow.
Watch now: Go inside this updated kitchen and bathroom
Watch now: Go inside this updated kitchen and bathroom
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Lumataj quartz
Beautiful projects! Will you please share the brand/name of the light over the kitchen table?
Thank you for sharing this project. I was wondering how tall are the ceilings/how tall the kitchen cabinets are on the stove side of the kitchen.