Houzz Kitchen of the Week: Black-and-White Elegance in an Open Plan

A Toronto designer helps a couple update their kitchen with soft black cabinets, marble-look countertops, and better flow

Starting with a kitchen had a combination of faux butcher block and solid-surface countertops combined with aging black appliances paired with stark gray walls. A diner-like breakfast bar situated beneath an opening that overlooks the living room, while a wall with a doorway near the refrigerator separated the kitchen from the dining room.

Arielle Mizrahi Design began by removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and pushed the kitchen into the former dining area. She then removed the wall between the kitchen and living room, creating an open floor plan, increasing the overall size of the kitchen by 95 square feet.

Kitchens: Design with Style

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Our spending on kitchen remodeling continues to rise, according to a study on Kitchen Trends by Houzz.com. The median spend on the kitchen was $35,000 last year, a 17% rise compared with kitchen remodels of 2018. Nearly every homeowner changes something about the cabinetry (94%). While most choose to replace all cabinets (68%), one in four opts for partial cabinet upgrades (27%). And of course, refinishing the cabinets’ exterior is the most popular partial upgrade (64%).

While the farmhouse styling has started to ebb, modern style marches forward with the trend leaning toward kitchen islands as a unique design piece. Check out the full report before you start your kitchen remodel.

Home Remodeling: Adding a Pop of Color

Houzz brings us inside the transformation of a home improvement project. Home remodeling requires careful planning. A married couple from Boston is looking to update the kitchen in their Victorian home that they have lived in for more than a decade. Jodi Swartz and her team at Kitchen Visions was hired to reconfigure the kitchen layout, while preserving the architectural details. One of the first remodeling projects included replacing the brown kitchen cabinets with new ones. The cabinets were covered in a Benjamin Moore’s Application to lighten up the space.

The original layout included two staircases that merged into one. The staircase in the kitchen utilized too much space. In order to be creative, extra space was gained by eliminating the kitchen staircase and adding an additional row of lower cabinets to maximize storage. The extra wall of cabinetry included a built-in microwave, dishwasher, and main sink.  This new design makes the kitchen functional and aesthetically appealing.

Appliances are now available with abundant color customizations. Small burst of colors can make a kitchen pop. Swartz was able to incorporate a bold red range and a new built-in red refrigerator. The creamy cabinetry helps increase the presence of the red refrigerator and range, making it a focal point of the remodel.  To brighten the kitchen interior and keep the kitchen feeling open, the design team covered the wall in a classic white subway tile. Some other design features of the kitchen renovation included black granite countertops, new cabinet hardware, and pendant lighting. The kitchen island was modernized and topped with marble-look quartz that features a prep sink.

Kitchen renovations improve the overall function, creates a beautiful remodeled space, and adds value to your home. Pick design elements that match your style and preference. If you need inspiration for your kitchen remodel and would like to see more details of this kitchen transformation,