Before and After: 5 Kitchens With Contrasting Wood Islands
Pros, including one found on Houzz, pair wood-finished islands with painted cabinets for a pleasing look
Pairing a natural-wood-tone island with painted perimeter cabinets is an attractive and relatively subtle way to add personality and warmth to a kitchen. It can also make a large kitchen feel less monolithic and be a sweet spot for homeowners who can’t decide between wood and painted cabinetry. But it takes skill to make the result look cohesive. These dramatic kitchen makeovers by remodeling pros, including a design-build firm found on Houzz, illustrate how to do it right.
(Be sure to click on “Read more about this kitchen remodel” to see more images and learn more about lighting, layouts and other kitchen details.)
(Be sure to click on “Read more about this kitchen remodel” to see more images and learn more about lighting, layouts and other kitchen details.)
After: Zaveloff stripped the kitchen of its outdated finishes and rethought the whole layout to improve functionality, symmetry and efficiency. For example, she turned the wet bar into a walk-in pantry where the owners keep small appliances, the microwave and a wine fridge behind reeded glass.
But her biggest change was jettisoning the peninsula and dinky island in favor of a new white oak workhorse island measuring 121 by 54 inches. It’s topped by a seamless slab of Infinity quartzite with a mitered edge.
The island has a sink, dishwasher, trash and recycling pullouts and loads of storage on the far side. This side has concealed 14-inch cabinets in front of the four counter stools. The arrangement means the kids can hang out at the island and grab snacks from the fridge and new pantry without disrupting the cooks — aka the parents — in the work zone.
Wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
But her biggest change was jettisoning the peninsula and dinky island in favor of a new white oak workhorse island measuring 121 by 54 inches. It’s topped by a seamless slab of Infinity quartzite with a mitered edge.
The island has a sink, dishwasher, trash and recycling pullouts and loads of storage on the far side. This side has concealed 14-inch cabinets in front of the four counter stools. The arrangement means the kids can hang out at the island and grab snacks from the fridge and new pantry without disrupting the cooks — aka the parents — in the work zone.
Wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore
The perimeter cabinets are painted Essex Green by Benjamin Moore, a dark green verging on black.
The same quartzite, but with a thinner profile, is used for the countertops and the range backsplash. Beveled subway tile covers all the walls up to the ceiling, including around the homeowners’ existing refrigerator.
The open shelves and wood accent on the new range hood, which are more visible in the previous photo, match the island’s white oak. A multicolor vintage runner with similar tones also helps tie the cabinets and island together.
Read more about this kitchen remodel
The same quartzite, but with a thinner profile, is used for the countertops and the range backsplash. Beveled subway tile covers all the walls up to the ceiling, including around the homeowners’ existing refrigerator.
The open shelves and wood accent on the new range hood, which are more visible in the previous photo, match the island’s white oak. A multicolor vintage runner with similar tones also helps tie the cabinets and island together.
Read more about this kitchen remodel
2. Cramped to Coffered
Kitchen of the Week
Who lives here: A couple with a young daughter and a baby on the way.
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Size: 357 square feet (33 square meters)
Designer-builder: Richard Ryder of Clearcut Construction
Before: A couple moving from a small apartment in Massachusetts to a single-family home in North Carolina needed help remodeling this new-to-them kitchen. They searched for local design-build firms on Houzz and found Clearcut Construction owner Richard Ryder.
It was clear that the angled peninsula made the room feel closed in. But the clients, who were used to a tiny kitchen, needed a lot of guidance to figure out their style and understand the full potential of this much larger space. Because the timing was mid-pandemic, Ryder worked with them remotely to share renderings and incorporate their feedback.
Kitchen of the Week
Who lives here: A couple with a young daughter and a baby on the way.
Location: Cary, North Carolina
Size: 357 square feet (33 square meters)
Designer-builder: Richard Ryder of Clearcut Construction
Before: A couple moving from a small apartment in Massachusetts to a single-family home in North Carolina needed help remodeling this new-to-them kitchen. They searched for local design-build firms on Houzz and found Clearcut Construction owner Richard Ryder.
It was clear that the angled peninsula made the room feel closed in. But the clients, who were used to a tiny kitchen, needed a lot of guidance to figure out their style and understand the full potential of this much larger space. Because the timing was mid-pandemic, Ryder worked with them remotely to share renderings and incorporate their feedback.
After: Following some back-and-forth with renderings, they settled on a design and Ryder got to work removing the peninsula and the wall where the range and microwave had been to open up the kitchen to the family room. A proponent of reducing construction waste, he installed any cabinets that were still in good shape in the garage.
Between the cooking and entertainment zones, Ryder installed an island measuring 11 feet, 1 inch by 3 feet, 9 inches, which the family loves to gather around.
Its base is select birch cabinetry with a custom dark stain. Many of its lower cabinets have drawers for easy access to items in the back, and it also has a prep sink.
Bar faucet: Align one-handle pull-down in brushed gold, Moen
Between the cooking and entertainment zones, Ryder installed an island measuring 11 feet, 1 inch by 3 feet, 9 inches, which the family loves to gather around.
Its base is select birch cabinetry with a custom dark stain. Many of its lower cabinets have drawers for easy access to items in the back, and it also has a prep sink.
Bar faucet: Align one-handle pull-down in brushed gold, Moen
A white oak butcher-block-topped cabinet sits close to the prep sink, handy for chopping vegetables pulled from the new panel-front fridge across from it.
The storage-packed perimeter cabinets are white and topped with the same quartz used on the island and above the range. Above the quartz, a marble mosaic backsplash continues up to the coffered ceiling, which further delineates the kitchen from the family room. And flanking the window, a few wooden open shelves echo the beautiful butcher block.
Backsplash tile: La Fleur, MSI
Read more about this kitchen remodel
The storage-packed perimeter cabinets are white and topped with the same quartz used on the island and above the range. Above the quartz, a marble mosaic backsplash continues up to the coffered ceiling, which further delineates the kitchen from the family room. And flanking the window, a few wooden open shelves echo the beautiful butcher block.
Backsplash tile: La Fleur, MSI
Read more about this kitchen remodel
“After” photos by Miranda Estes Photography
3. Lime to Light
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Dan and Laura Thomas and their two sons, both young adults
Location: Seattle
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer: Anna Popov of Interiors by Popov
Builder: Makswell Construction
Before: By the time this Seattle couple had lived in their Craftsman-style home for a couple of years, they’d grown tired of the kitchen’s dark brown cabinets, black granite countertops, black-painted peninsula and lime green backsplash. The slide-in gas range didn’t have enough counter space on either side, and the chopped-up layout, which included a peninsula jutting out from a half wall, made the relatively ample space feel cramped when the couple were sharing it with their sons or guests. They were ready for more room, better flow and a lighter, brighter look.
They gathered inspiration ideas on Houzz and hired designer Anna Popov, then rolled up their sleeves.
3. Lime to Light
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Dan and Laura Thomas and their two sons, both young adults
Location: Seattle
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designer: Anna Popov of Interiors by Popov
Builder: Makswell Construction
Before: By the time this Seattle couple had lived in their Craftsman-style home for a couple of years, they’d grown tired of the kitchen’s dark brown cabinets, black granite countertops, black-painted peninsula and lime green backsplash. The slide-in gas range didn’t have enough counter space on either side, and the chopped-up layout, which included a peninsula jutting out from a half wall, made the relatively ample space feel cramped when the couple were sharing it with their sons or guests. They were ready for more room, better flow and a lighter, brighter look.
They gathered inspiration ideas on Houzz and hired designer Anna Popov, then rolled up their sleeves.
After: Popov removed the half wall and peninsula, which allowed her to expand the kitchen. New bamboo flooring was matched to the existing bamboo floor in the adjacent living room.
A custom island now sits in the newly roomy kitchen, giving the couple plenty of counter space for food prep and dropping groceries as well as for casual dining. The island has a warm wood base topped with gray-and-green Taj Mahal quartzite. The inner side of the island has a stainless steel flat-panel microwave drawer and wide drawers that store pots and pans close to the range. At each end of the island, shapely corbels contribute to the eclectic — yet subtle and sophisticated — look the designer and owners wanted.
Another such element is the backsplash of handmade Moroccan-inspired ceramic tiles with an interlocking star-and-cross pattern.
Microwave drawer: Sharp; wall paint: Reserved White, Sherwin-Williams; ceiling paint: Pure White, Sherwin-Williams
A custom island now sits in the newly roomy kitchen, giving the couple plenty of counter space for food prep and dropping groceries as well as for casual dining. The island has a warm wood base topped with gray-and-green Taj Mahal quartzite. The inner side of the island has a stainless steel flat-panel microwave drawer and wide drawers that store pots and pans close to the range. At each end of the island, shapely corbels contribute to the eclectic — yet subtle and sophisticated — look the designer and owners wanted.
Another such element is the backsplash of handmade Moroccan-inspired ceramic tiles with an interlocking star-and-cross pattern.
Microwave drawer: Sharp; wall paint: Reserved White, Sherwin-Williams; ceiling paint: Pure White, Sherwin-Williams
The Shaker-style perimeter cabinets are painted a soft green (a blend of Sherwin-Williams Escape Gray and Evergreen Fog), which is consistent with the classic green-and-wood Craftsman color palette.
The sink, which formerly was in the peninsula, is now in what used to be the home bar area, lit by two black articulating sconces. A new solar-powered, remote-controlled operable skylight further brightens the room.
Read more about this kitchen remodel
Shop for kitchen and cabinet lighting
The sink, which formerly was in the peninsula, is now in what used to be the home bar area, lit by two black articulating sconces. A new solar-powered, remote-controlled operable skylight further brightens the room.
Read more about this kitchen remodel
Shop for kitchen and cabinet lighting
“After” photos by Josh Goetz Photography
4. Bottlenecked to Bright
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a son, 10, and daughter, 9
Location: Bethpage, New York
Size: 238 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Ellen Lopez of EL Design Studio
Before: Although this Long Island kitchen was remodeled in 2013, its budget java-colored cabinets hadn’t held up, and the chopped-up layout felt too tight for the growing family. It was especially cramped around the protruding refrigerator, which was surrounded by a header and support walls, seen here.
The homeowners looked at inspiration photos on Houzz and hired designer Ellen Lopez to transform the dark, awkward kitchen into an open and light-filled one.
4. Bottlenecked to Bright
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a son, 10, and daughter, 9
Location: Bethpage, New York
Size: 238 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Ellen Lopez of EL Design Studio
Before: Although this Long Island kitchen was remodeled in 2013, its budget java-colored cabinets hadn’t held up, and the chopped-up layout felt too tight for the growing family. It was especially cramped around the protruding refrigerator, which was surrounded by a header and support walls, seen here.
The homeowners looked at inspiration photos on Houzz and hired designer Ellen Lopez to transform the dark, awkward kitchen into an open and light-filled one.
After: Lopez took the kitchen down to the studs, removing the support wall and header as well as a peninsula that cut off the kitchen from the dining area.
With those elements cleared out, she could install a new island, which was much better for traffic flow and had more space for seating.
Lopez says a mix of white and warm wood is her go-to formula when her clients ask for light and bright. In this kitchen, the wood elements include a rift-cut white oak island base and range hood detail and red oak flooring refinished with a light walnut stain. The other major elements are varying shades of white: matte white inset perimeter cabinets, white walls (Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore), variegated white zellige-style backsplash tile, marble-look quartz countertops and white appliances.
Brass details add a warm gleam.
Cabinet hardware: Freestone in satin brass, 5 inches, Emtek; ceiling paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
With those elements cleared out, she could install a new island, which was much better for traffic flow and had more space for seating.
Lopez says a mix of white and warm wood is her go-to formula when her clients ask for light and bright. In this kitchen, the wood elements include a rift-cut white oak island base and range hood detail and red oak flooring refinished with a light walnut stain. The other major elements are varying shades of white: matte white inset perimeter cabinets, white walls (Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore), variegated white zellige-style backsplash tile, marble-look quartz countertops and white appliances.
Brass details add a warm gleam.
Cabinet hardware: Freestone in satin brass, 5 inches, Emtek; ceiling paint: Decorator’s White, Benjamin Moore
The interior side of the island holds a flat-panel microwave drawer and storage drawers. Two brass-and-glass pendant lights provide task lighting over the island but don’t compete with the chandelier over the dining table, which was the homeowner’s grandmother’s. Beside that dining area, there’s tall pantry storage that nearly disappears into the white wall behind it.
A paneled trash and recycling center sits to the right of the farmhouse sink and a paneled dishwasher is on the left. Above it, a new window is almost twice the size of the old one, washing the room in sunshine and maximizing views of the backyard.
Countertops: Smithfield, Cambria; sink: Franke; faucet: Crue in Moderne Brass, Kohler
Read more about this kitchen remodel
A paneled trash and recycling center sits to the right of the farmhouse sink and a paneled dishwasher is on the left. Above it, a new window is almost twice the size of the old one, washing the room in sunshine and maximizing views of the backyard.
Countertops: Smithfield, Cambria; sink: Franke; faucet: Crue in Moderne Brass, Kohler
Read more about this kitchen remodel
Photos by Scott Norsworthy
5. Petite to Parisian
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two teenage daughters
Location: Toronto
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Architect: Wanda Ely
Contractor: M-Squared Contracting
Before: This squat kitchen was hidden away in the back of an Edwardian house in Toronto, closed off from other rooms. When the new homeowners were planning their move from Paris to Toronto and looking to do a whole-house renovation, they hired M-Squared Contracting, which in turn recommended architect Wanda Ely. The homeowners worked with Ely to create a new, much larger and more functional kitchen with a vintage industrial-meets-Parisian-meets-Edwardian flair.
5. Petite to Parisian
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two teenage daughters
Location: Toronto
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Architect: Wanda Ely
Contractor: M-Squared Contracting
Before: This squat kitchen was hidden away in the back of an Edwardian house in Toronto, closed off from other rooms. When the new homeowners were planning their move from Paris to Toronto and looking to do a whole-house renovation, they hired M-Squared Contracting, which in turn recommended architect Wanda Ely. The homeowners worked with Ely to create a new, much larger and more functional kitchen with a vintage industrial-meets-Parisian-meets-Edwardian flair.
After: The green sofa now sits where the kitchen in the previous photo was. Post-renovation, the kitchen is part of an open-plan kitchen, living and dining room with large new doors and windows that open to the backyard.
The inspiration for the kitchen’s design came from the industrial-style clock on the left of the photo, which hails from an old train station in France and lived in the family’s former apartment. Other Parisian-inspired design details include white oak flooring laid in a chevron pattern and trimwork on the walls.
A white oak island measuring 13 by 3½ feet anchors the kitchen. Ely worked with a cabinetmaker to give it the look of found traditional furniture, with cup pulls, rounded corners and an ornate ogee edge on its marble countertop. A dishwasher and a trash-recycling pullout flank the sink, and industrial-style oversize black enamel pendant lights provide task lighting.
The inspiration for the kitchen’s design came from the industrial-style clock on the left of the photo, which hails from an old train station in France and lived in the family’s former apartment. Other Parisian-inspired design details include white oak flooring laid in a chevron pattern and trimwork on the walls.
A white oak island measuring 13 by 3½ feet anchors the kitchen. Ely worked with a cabinetmaker to give it the look of found traditional furniture, with cup pulls, rounded corners and an ornate ogee edge on its marble countertop. A dishwasher and a trash-recycling pullout flank the sink, and industrial-style oversize black enamel pendant lights provide task lighting.
The countertops, backsplash and a 3-inch-deep ledge on the range wall are soapstone. The dark material hides black electrical outllets and looks seamless with the lacquered charcoal perimeter cabinetry, which has a skinny Shaker profile for a more modern look than typical Shaker cabinets.
Ely designed the patinaed metal vent hood and had it made by local metalcrafters Discreet + Discrete. Its vintage industrial look nods to the beloved clock.
Cabinet paint: Midnight Oil, Benjamin Moore
Read more about this kitchen remodel
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Shop for kitchen products
Ely designed the patinaed metal vent hood and had it made by local metalcrafters Discreet + Discrete. Its vintage industrial look nods to the beloved clock.
Cabinet paint: Midnight Oil, Benjamin Moore
Read more about this kitchen remodel
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Shop for kitchen products
1. Cherry to Cheery
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two young daughters
Location: Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago
Size: 291 square feet (27 square meters)
Designer: Rebekah Zaveloff and Kat Andrejevic of KitchenLab Interiors
Before: The dark cherry, orange, green and beige palette of this 2006 kitchen made it look older than it was, and its inlaid travertine floor and imbalanced proportions weren’t doing it any favors, either. There was also a pass-through wet bar between the kitchen and the adjacent dining space that got little use. The Chicago couple who owned the home hired interior designer Rebekah Zaveloff to make it lighter, brighter and more fun for their family.
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