The kitchen in this house needed some real TLC and sadly the cherry red laminate didn't suffice. We introduced a herringbone subway tile backsplash and a slight hint of colour in this space. With everything else being white, the cabinetry is where one can have fun - all the appliances are kept black to tie in the black accents from the living space and storage was maximised by squeezing in a tall pantry and tucking the refrigerator next to it. Open shelving was incorporated instead of closed upper cabinetry, just so one could display china and other collectibles, and this made the room feel open and airy and the plaid blinds added the right amount of playfulness. This open kitchen embraces a flurry of activities with some cooking, some prepping, some grabbing their beers, while having cookies humming away in the oven, in contrast to the claustrophobic layout earlier.