Kitchen of the Week: New Layout, Lots of White Freshen Things Up
An empty-nest couple and their designer create an elegant kitchen that mixes modern technology with classic style
Joe and Maureen Topper had different concerns about the existing kitchen in their traditional Colonial house in Pennsylvania that was built 32 years ago. Joe loves to cook and enjoys technology, so he always wanted the latest appliances. Maureen took issue with the layout, which made it difficult to entertain when she and Joe had family over for dinner.
After renovating the kitchen 19 years ago, the Toppers, now empty nesters, hired kitchen designer Dana Bacher to help them create a more user-friendly and elegant kitchen that features better storage, top-notch appliances and a stronger connection with the rest of the interiors, backyard garden and pool.
After renovating the kitchen 19 years ago, the Toppers, now empty nesters, hired kitchen designer Dana Bacher to help them create a more user-friendly and elegant kitchen that features better storage, top-notch appliances and a stronger connection with the rest of the interiors, backyard garden and pool.
After: Bacher shifted the sink and pass-through, which she enlarged, to the left several feet, creating a more symmetric arrangement on that wall, bookended by refrigerator and freezer columns. To the right of the refrigerator column on the right, she created an opening that connects to the family room.
Bacher also shifted the location of the new island, which resulted in wider aisles. Twelve-inch-deep cabinets cap each end of the island.
The brighter color scheme includes warm white walls (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) and white inset cabinets with crown molding on top for a nod to the classic style of the home.
Soapstone countertops with lots of blue and gray provide contrast to all the white. “It was one of the best things we did, and we couldn’t be happier with it,” Maureen says.
Hudson door style cabinets: Rutt Regency Cabinetry; countertops: Bucks County Soapstone
Bacher also shifted the location of the new island, which resulted in wider aisles. Twelve-inch-deep cabinets cap each end of the island.
The brighter color scheme includes warm white walls (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) and white inset cabinets with crown molding on top for a nod to the classic style of the home.
Soapstone countertops with lots of blue and gray provide contrast to all the white. “It was one of the best things we did, and we couldn’t be happier with it,” Maureen says.
Hudson door style cabinets: Rutt Regency Cabinetry; countertops: Bucks County Soapstone
Classic-style fabric-covered stools offer comfortable seating at the island.
In addition to the lighter color palette, several new recessed can lights, three classic polished nickel globe pendants over the island and two wall sconces above the sink provide layered lighting.
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In addition to the lighter color palette, several new recessed can lights, three classic polished nickel globe pendants over the island and two wall sconces above the sink provide layered lighting.
Shop for kitchen island lighting on Houzz
A new 36-inch induction range sits beneath a large white-painted wooden hood. Glass-fronted upper cabinets lighten the wall of white cabinetry.
A reflective white ceramic backsplash with white grout further brightens the kitchen. “She didn’t want to do anything too fussy,” Bacher says of the tile choice.
A round prep sink offers a spot to wash hands and vegetables.
A round prep sink offers a spot to wash hands and vegetables.
Before: This photo shows the previous pass-through over the sink. “This opening seemed without intention,” Bacher says. But the homeowners wanted to keep an opening because they like being able to look outside.
After: Widening the opening and moving its location allowed for an even better view of the garden and pool. Two panel-ready dishwashers flank the apron-front sink.
Whitehaven apron sink: Kohler; Cassidy pull-down faucet: Delta
Whitehaven apron sink: Kohler; Cassidy pull-down faucet: Delta
This paneled refrigerator column to the right of the sink and the paneled freezer column to the left of the sink allow Joe and Maureen to monitor and control the units remotely via Wi-Fi.
Before: This photo of the previous kitchen island shows how a garbage compactor, gas cooktop, microwave, dishwasher and sink crowded together. A raised countertop toward the right side of the island created a visual barrier between the kitchen and dining area.
After: The new island features a more streamlined and coherent design. A steam oven sits on the far end, conveniently across from the refrigerator, while a wine fridge on the other end keeps those in need of a beverage out of the main workflow.
The top drawers hold silverware and the two lower drawers feature pegs for organizing dishes. “They’re close to the dishwasher, so it’s easy to unload and put the dishes away,” Bacher says.
The top drawers hold silverware and the two lower drawers feature pegs for organizing dishes. “They’re close to the dishwasher, so it’s easy to unload and put the dishes away,” Bacher says.
The undercounter wine refrigerator features beechwood pullouts and controls light exposure, air humidity and temperature.
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Shop for wine refrigerators
A new desk area sits on the family room side and features cabinetry that complements that of the kitchen.
Bacher designed bifold retractable doors that allow the Toppers to hide papers and clutter when guests are over.
This wider view shows a look into the kitchen and all the storage above and below the pass-through.
Before: This floor plan of the previous kitchen shows the limitations of the layout. “Notice how little storage space there was because the appliances occupied so much of the kitchen real estate,” Bacher says.
After: The improved floor plan makes the kitchen much more user-friendly. “It’s so bright, so welcoming, and a fun space to spend time in,” Maureen says.
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More on Houzz
14 Bright Ideas for Adding a Little Color to Your Kitchen
Get kitchen design ideas
Find kitchen designers in your area
Shop for kitchen and dining furniture
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Empty nesters Joe and Maureen Topper
Location: Saucon Valley, Pennsylvania
Size: About 571 square feet (53 square meters)
Designer: Dana Bacher of Jarrett Design
Before: Insufficient lighting, black granite countertops and a soffit that pushed the cabinets down contributed to an overall dark feel. The small pass-through over the sink only teased a connection to the family room.
When the couple renovated the kitchen 19 years ago, they wanted an induction cooktop with range, which they put to the left of the refrigerator. At the time, they also thought they wanted the option of a gas cooktop, so they added one to the island. But they soon found they didn’t really use it, preferring the gas grill outside.
“I felt like we wanted to improve the relation between the appliances and the work flow in general,” Bacher says.
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