Photo: Ben Smith Photograph
"The challenge was to take a very large kitchen with a country feel and a tiny island, and transform it into one that is elegant and sophisticated with a huge island without a complete remodel. We decided to keep the existing pickled maple cabinets, minus the island and the wallpaper. We replaced the blue laminate countertops with Santa Cecilia granite and swapped the white ceramic tile for new birch hardwood floors stained a dark chocolate brown.
"We topped this off with a 7-foot by 7-foot triangular island. The functional piece, stained a gorgeous, rich Federal blue, houses a trash compactor, warming drawer, cooktop with downdraft, refrigeration drawers, prep sink and seating for two.
"The inclusion of the Federal blue color and the size of the island give the remodeled kitchen a sense of purpose. It feels as if it were original to the home, like it's always been there. Before, the tiny island looked out of place. The new island is in scale with the room, really fitting the room while bringing added function."
Designer: Stacy Hillman
Schumacher Kitchen and Bath Studio
Chesterfield, Missouri
www.skbs.net
