Our Kitchen Update

If you’ve ever visited our old 18th century Cape, you already know that space is at a premium. So when our old wooden countertops started to look like they needed replacing, we sought to make as few layout changes to our already optimized kitchen as possible. (See before photos here and here.) The open kitchen and dining room also serve as a focal point in the floor plan, where we entertain guests and spend a good deal of our own time, so we wanted to give the room a consistent, put-together feeling. Not having the budget for a complete overhaul, we decided that updating our existing Ikea cabinetry with a fresh coat of paint would allow us to find a nice Carrara marble for our counters and backsplash. Thanks to a very generous wedding/Christmas gift from our family, we were also able to update our old, mismatched refrigerator in the process.

The new, cool blue/grey color palette gives the kitchen a classic, minimal feel, and when combined with replacing the microwave with an over-the-range hood, opens the room up a great deal. (Yes – we’ve actually lived without a microwave for over six months now, and surprisingly haven’t missed it yet.) I love the way the cabinet’s deep blue color changes with the day’s light, while providing a strong contrast with the walls and counters. All in all, we’re very pleased that just a few changes (countertops, paint, and updated refrigerator/faucet) went such a long way toward improving a room where we love to spend so much time.

All photos by Meredith Perdue for Map & Menu.