It’s kismet when all the stars align in a project and the end result is even better than you had hoped for. Good friend and longtime client Nancy reached out to me for some advice on a kitchen re-fresh. Her kitchen footprint is a right-angle space, one part narrow and a little dark, and the other end wide, sunny, and with views of the garden. The original kitchen was in the narrow galley hallway. Our project team and client were enchanted with the idea of relocating the kitchen work area to this bright, sunny space and revamping the original kitchen into a wet bar and butler’s pantry.

Having a long history with Nancy, selections were as smooth as silk. We often found ourselves sending each other the same inspiration visuals. White glossy enamel cabinets mixed with a 10′ gray horizontally-grained island sets the contemporary tone. With limited use of hanging cabinetry, we were able to maximize views into the garden.

Marble-looking quartz countertops with a simple pencil edge are clean and elegant. In the butler’s pantry we added antiqued mirrored back splashes and bronze metallic grass cloth for a little glam texture.

Dark floors add visual weight to the ethereal palette.  With an artist’s grasp of color and pigment, Nancy mixed the perfect shade of pink for the walls and ceiling.

I advised Nancy that the cabinet pulls and  light fixtures would be our jewelry. Ever game to experiment, she was on board to bring in rich gold pulls and pendants mixed with a crystal-flowered branch chandelier.

Selection and placement of artwork was a priority. Richmond artist Frankie Slaughter’s work is featured on the left: (through the Glave Kocen Gallery, 804-358-1890)

Deborah Valentine’s whimsical wall sculpture:  (through Palette, (804) 716-1742)

Fluffing and styling for an RHOME photo shoot in Nancy’s favorite accent color:

Kudos to contractor Jeff Graeber of Graeber Homes and Marvin Daniel of KDW for rounding out our dream team. Enjoy seeing more of this amazing house on Thursday, April 28th during Richmond’s Historic Garden Week Tour.