Is California Calling Your Name? A Before And After Tour Of A California-Chic Home

When the California coastline is calling you, it can be difficult to wake up every day and make a hot cup of coffee in a cavernous, dark kitchen. As someone who used to have a dark kitchen, I totally got it when the California-dreaming owners of this fantastic home called us with this dilemma. They loved everything about their home but felt stuck when it came to their first floor, especially their kitchen. They wanted a light, bright kitchen with a lot of storage and countertop space. They needed the space to feel welcoming and airy. They wanted their kitchen, dining, and living areas to flow seamlessly. 

Our design team sat down with them and worked through the details. The first step was to remove any separation between the kitchen and dining room and to close off the extra doors and windows in the kitchen to create more wall space. 

From there, it was all about picking the right materials to give them that California-chic feel. Lead designer Danielle Steele worked with Nadia Wall at Braemar Cabinetry to select white oak cabinetry that would give the space a natural feel. Nadia went with a two-tone look, picking maple for the oversized island. From there, Danielle chose a fantastic white tile backsplash by Ann Sacks to make sure the room was as bright as possible. The finishing touches of the brass pendant lighting over the island and bronze pulls on the cabinets brought the whole thing together. In the end, the clients adore their new space. 

Check out the before and after photos and see for yourself! We may live in Alexandria, but with the right design and vision, it is possible for your home to transport you anywhere around the world!