The new layout for this kitchen came easily to Los Angeles-based interior and product designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, having the plan drawn out before even stepping foot into the house. What she desired was a kitchen with lots of natural light, connected living and kitchen areas with plenty of space for the whole family, and the opportunity to integrate personal design touches.

A hands-on renovation, in which Sarah and her family did the bulk of the work themselves, resulted in a functional kitchen in just five months. Seven months later, after having some time to live in the space, a fully finished kitchen that is a true reflection of the designer and her family emerged. Now, this once woody kitchen is open and bright and the cheerful heart of the home.

Before

Previously, the kitchen configuration limited natural light with a wall of cabinets dividing the kitchen from the family room and a full partition separating the kitchen from the dining room. The kitchen had a lot of wood—wood floors, wood ceiling, and wood cabinets. It was dark, cramped, and limited in functional working and storage space.

After

Sarah looked inward for design inspiration. Liking to reference a client's wardrobe when designing for them, she did just that for her own space. She looked to her wardrobe of whites, ivories, natural materials, and a touch of gold and blended those elements into an elegant kitchen palette. "When it came to the overall kitchen design, I wanted it to be similar to my personal style. It had to be bright, natural, open, a reflection of me, and feel like a part of the living space," she says.

The designer wanted to keep some natural elements in the new design, but in proper balance. The existing wood ceiling was a huge driving force when making design decisions. Pre-renovation, the ceiling got lost in the mix of wood overload. Now, the wood ceiling shines as a focal piece. As described by Sarah, "By bringing in shades of white (while mixing different textures for interest) on mostly everything else, it stands out and is celebrated in its original glory."

By relocating a few key elements, the designer was able to completely open up the kitchen while making it more functional with sleek, clean surfaces. One of the designer's must-haves from the beginning was a walk-in pantry to house small appliances and the fridge, allowing the kitchen to remain clutter free.

By relocating the fridge to the pantry, this allowed the range to be moved from the island to the outside wall, freeing up island space while creating a focal point with a stunning range-hood combo.

Shop the Look

The material palette is elegant and refined—a combination of wood, terrazzo, quartz, brass, cement, and white. Although a lot of white, it is anything but boring. "The key to making all white not boring is to play up all the textures and of course the pop of metallic really helps," says Sarah.

Personal touches and Sarah Sherman Samuel original-designed elements are incorporated throughout the space. Collaborations with other design leaders and craftsmen allowed Sarah to integrate elements that are truly unique to her personal style.

An abundance of natural light now fills this designer's chic kitchen space. With ample counter space and elbow room for the whole family, this once cramped and woody space has become the ideal spot to enjoy time as a family.

The modern beadboard cabinet fronts featured in this project are part of Sarah Sherman Samuel's collaboration with Semihandmade - the Los Angeles-based company best known for pairing stylish doors with IKEA cabinets. This Spring, Sarah and Semihandmade launched a new collection, Quarterline, which represents a modern take on the traditional Shaker cabinet.

Related Reading: Modern Cottage Renovation in Michigan

Project Credits:

Builder / General Contractor: Ayers Construction Company

Interior Design Company: Sarah Sherman Samuel INC

Cabinetry Design / Installation: Sarah Sherman Samuel + Semihandmade

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Before & After: A Grand Rapids Kitchen Goes From Dark and Woody to White and Bright