BEFORE

A higher island, bar seating and even more prep space were added to make this kitchen more liveable. Wood flooring underfoot and additional cabinetry contribute to the room’s warmer, more inviting feel.

Before its transformation, this kitchen was sterile and lifeless. Though the original appliances and layout yielded a reasonably functional space, the room lacked charm and livability. A top-heavy kitchen island sat on a thin, stainless-steel frame. Dark, jade-green slate flooring made the space feel cold. Inadequate lighting did little to warm up the large, empty room. Storage space for dishes and glassware was scarce. It was time for a change.

“We were looking to modify the look and utility of the kitchen by bringing in a softer, homier look and increasing the storage area,” says the homeowner. But cozying up the space wouldn’t mean closing it in. The homeowner shared the space with his wife and their two active boys, and the family wanted to preserve its openness and its seamless connection to the outdoors.

Enter Shelley Tanner, CKD, of JohnCookKitchens. The couple, who vacation in Hawaii but live in Korea, were referred to Tanner by a local, award-winning interior designer who knew of Tanner’s work. New flooring was prominent on the homeowners’ wish list. They wanted wood floors and decided on a reddish-brown color called Pradoo, from Pacific American Lumber.
Next, Tanner turned to cabinetry. She designed a plan that would replace the thin, airy, stainless-steel island frame with cherry-wood cabinetry in a brandy-color finish. Tanner also added new wall- and undercounter cabinetry.

Custom cabinetry helped to fill in much of the empty space surrounding the appliances, giving this kitchen a more “grounded” look.

The plan included moving the existing refrigerator to a side wall, building out a small divider wall to frame the refrigerator and encasing it in even more custom-built cabinetry.

In addition to the refrigerator, the homeowners chose to incorporate their original cooktop, oven, island hood and dishwasher into the new design. Tanner was more than happy to oblige. To give the homeowners more landing space on the island, adjacent to the refrigerator, she proposed moving the combination oven/microwave unit to an empty corner and enclosing it in a special oven cabinet, then converting the empty space into a countertop.
Tanner’s design incorporated raising the island height, and allowing for even more counter space to accommodate informal seating for four.

To top it off, the old countertops were replaced with new, deep-hued Emerald Pearl granite from Bella Pietra. The homeowners love their new, more accessible island area, which maintains a clear view of the pool and lanai beyond.

The last warming touch? Lighting. Tanner’s design implemented more recessed halogen lights to dot the ceiling and undercabinet task lighting to brighten up the space. She also added multicolored glass pendant lighting for visual interest and a little fun. 

The end result is a kitchen that’s more at home in its surroundings than ever before. “Shelley Tanner was extremely thorough,” says the homeowner. “The installation crew was also extremely courteous and professional,” he continues. “The quality of their work met all of our expectations.”