1. Airy Maple
Designer: Carlos Nyce of TriVistaUSA Design + Build
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 11 feet, 8 inches by 14 feet, 5 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The client came to us seeking to improve their home layout, with one of the main goals being to enhance the flow for better entertainment space,” designer Carlos Nyce says. “They desired an open, functional kitchen layout, but the existing space didn’t allow for that. As part of our architectural design proposal, we suggested relocating the kitchen to the opposite side of the house, where more space was available. This change allowed us to reconfigure the kitchen, adding a highly functional island and additional storage. The client’s aesthetic preferences leaned toward clean lines, bright, warm wood tones, with touches of industrial style and a bit of glam.”
Wood cabinets. Natural maple wood cabinets in a matte finish. “They wanted their kitchen to feel bright, warm and cozy, while also introducing some industrial elements for contrast,” Nyce says. “We worked with the concept of using a lighter tone around the perimeter, paired with darker accents on the island, hardware and other details. The house facade featured black-painted brick, and [the homeowners] were keen on incorporating this dark color into the interior details. By integrating natural maple matte wood cabinets along the perimeter with a white brick-look tile backsplash, we achieved the perfect balance of cozy and industrial. The island, painted in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, stands out against the lighter backdrop and provides just the right amount of darkness they were looking for.”
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “Balance is key,” Nyce says. “To achieve the perfect look, you first need a clear reference for where you want your design to go. If you’re blending multiple styles, the key is always balance — incorporating textures, colors, materials and elements in the right proportions so the space feels harmonious.”
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Norcross, Georgia
Size: 242 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Rosa Moreno Kitchens
Builder: Atlanta Renovations and Construction
Before: This photo of the former kitchen was taken from the breakfast area. The dated 170-square-foot space had striped wallpaper, a soffit, mismatched standard appliances, dark brown cabinets, laminate counters, a ceiling fan and vinyl flooring. “There was a lot of wood and it was so heavy,” Moreno says. “The white fridge sticking out was a problem too. I knew we definitely could do a lot better.”
On the left, a drop-in double-bowl sink sat beneath a window that the homeowners were open to removing to improve the layout and storage. The fridge wall separated the kitchen from the dining room, making the kitchen and its small island feel cramped. “But by removing that wall, we were getting rid of storage,” Moreno says. “So that was the big question on how things would work.”
The door seen at the back opened to a hallway leading to the living room. In that hallway was a powder room and door to the basement. A door to a closet is just out of view on the fridge wall. “There were so many doors that we had to deal with,” Moreno says.