Simple Modern California Kitchen
Every kitchen redesign and remodeling project comes with its own set of challenges, and this one was no exception. But we don’t shy away from challenges. We use them to stretch our creative reach and come up with solutions that are as beautiful as they are functional.
With this particular kitchen in the beach community of Cardiff, located in the North County region of San Diego, California, our task was to take a small space and turn it into a usable, attractive, welcoming, and integral part of the house. As a luxury kitchen designer serving Southern California, this wasn’t the first time we had to use our innovation and fresh ideas to turn a limited, less-than-effective space into something bigger and better. We’ve been pulling miracles like that for years.
We are happy with the results. More importantly, our client loves what we did. In the end, that’s the real reason we do what we do. That and our passion for creating luxury, West Coast modern kitchens that emphasize both balance and fun.
Here’s what we did as savvy San Diego interior designers to make this Cardiff kitchen more usable and accommodating, and a joy to spend time in.
The Way It Was
Like so many kitchens in San Diego County, this one was not living up to its potential. It had seen better days. But time stops for no one, and in this case, time moved on but left this poor little kitchen somewhere in the twilight zone.
Our challenge, and we chose to accept it, was to take the heart of this home and make it bigger. Not by adding extra square feet that just weren’t there, but by utilizing some of the best space-saving and space-freeing interior design tricks we know to give a small room a much more spacious, airy feel. We also brought the kitchen into the 21st century, using both classic traditional elements and a West Coast modern style to achieve the perfect look the homeowners love.
Let’s go over some of the elements of this transformation, one by one.
West Coast Simple traditional With Oak And Marble
You might be asking yourself, “What does Simple Traditional look like?”
Glad you asked. It’s a style that’s casual and fun without being pretentious or taking itself too seriously. It makes you think of the best that California has to offer: a sunny day at the beach, an easy hike in a grove of Redwoods, a relaxing walk through green vineyards. It’s quintessential California with a relaxed attitude.
For this kitchen, we achieved a Simple Traditional look and feel by going with white European oak cabinetry and modern marble. The end result is clean and crisp, bright and fresh. The remodeled kitchen bursts with a quiet elegance, and it invites one to come in, relax, and enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine. The color palette we worked with includes soothing greens, light oaks, gold highlights, and black and white for both a luxurious effect and a sense of serenity. These color choices help create a feeling of spaciousness while conveying sophistication.
In the end, we struck the perfect balance between casual and luxurious. These two concepts aren’t exclusive; in the best interior designs, they come together for a beautiful blend that draws people in and makes them want to be in that space. Casual plus luxurious equals comfortable.
Speaking of luxury, we made sure to include plenty of palatial marble and durable granite for a sumptuous effect. For the sink front detail, we went with a Calacatta Caldia honed marble slab front, sealed with anti-etch sealant. This exclusive type of milky white marble comes from Italy and has a beautiful polished finish. We also chose Calacatta Caldia for the back counter and the full-height backsplash. For the island counter, we changed it up and installed a dreamy Van Gogh satin quartzite. This elegant, strong granite product comes in different colors; we went with midnight black for a rich, velvety effect.
Full Functionality Without A Vent Hood
One of the biggest challenges we encountered with this kitchen was how to redirect the odors, smoke, and exhaust generated during the cooking process without the use of a space-consuming vent hood.
One side of the kitchen was open to a seating area, so we ended up developing and implementing a clever downdraft system to accommodate cooking. This way, we were able to attain the full functionality of a vent hood without actually installing one in the ceiling. There simply was no room for a custom hood over the range. Our creative solution added a downdraft behind the range. By doing this, we were also able to preserve a beautiful original archway.
The result is an effective way to get rid of kitchen smoke, steam, and odors while achieving the goals of a spacious kitchen, an elegant space, and an inviting room where members of the household and guests can relax in. It’s a clean, comfortable, and serene gathering place that doesn’t lack in function or form, but doesn’t encroach on your personal space, either.
Adding Classic Traditional Elements
Like many San Diego custom kitchens we’ve redone, this one in Cardiff benefited from the inclusion of classic traditional elements. And the result is proof that sometimes, the small details can make the biggest difference in overall impression and effect.
For the doors and drawers, we opted for a traditional element that combines elegance with simplicity: we went with V-groove panel details. This gives cabinets a timeless look that just feels right. The white oak custom stain cabinets have V-groove panel details for greater visual appeal. At the same time, these cabinets offer a stately simplicity and are easy to clean and maintain.
We didn’t stop there. Our designers chose lights and hardware with classic traditional elements that echo into days past. In addition to being beautiful, these touches give off comforting, reassuring vibes. The Armac Martin luxury brass cabinet hardware, including knobs and handles on drawers and doors, is smooth, clean, and easy to grip. Each piece of hardware is hand-finished for a beautiful shine and genuine quality, through and through. The faucet is from the Brizo Rook collection, and we chose a Brilliance Luxe Gold finish. This collection is an ideal choice for its early 1900s traditionalism aesthetic.
Making The Space Look Larger
With small kitchens, particularly in older California homes, the trick is to make the space look and feel larger. This is done by creating better flow throughout the kitchen area to avoid roadblocks. Any congested zones need to be cleared. The entire impression needs to transition from heavy and stodgy over to light, airy, and roomy. At the same time, for this kitchen we needed to add seating and surfaces to accommodate enough people being able to sit down and enjoy a meal together.
One way we created more space from thin air is by turning the island into a multi-purpose surface. Not only is it a great space for meal preparation, but it also makes a perfect table when the right kind of seats are added along the length of the island. By adding stools from Stowed Home, we accomplished several things. First, they can accommodate several people at the island. Second, they’re light and airy, perfect for making the whole kitchen space look large and roomy. Third, their design includes an arched back, which fits in with the rest of the kitchen aesthetic. And additionally, the smooth teak frames with the black seats color-coordinate perfectly with the rest of the kitchen. These seats tuck in nicely when they’re not being used, a great space-savings perk.
Specialty Appliances
To conserve space while keeping the kitchen fully usable and equipped with all the amenities a great kitchen needs, we chose specialty appliances, and we paneled all the appliances. For a clean, uncluttered look and a seamless integration with the kitchen’s cabinetry, we provided a custom panel-ready fridge and freezer combination. This innovative design hides the appliance behind custom wood doors that coordinate well with the rest of the cabinetry.
We used this same space-saving trick with the dishwasher, tucking it away as a custom panel-ready dishwasher that’s completely hidden until you’re ready to open it. For the oven, we went with a Big Chill classic range in white, featuring brushed brass levers for the knobs and boasting a style reminiscent of 1900s charm. An Adventium oven completes the set of appliances added, making this a full-functioning kitchen with all the modern comforts (and necessities).
Achieving A Vintage Yet Modern Feel
From the start, our goal was to combine elements to allow for a vintage yet modern feel. We accomplished this through attention to detail, mixing and matching just the right items, and making stylistic choices to accentuate certain areas while hiding others.
One of the crowning jewels of this remodeled kitchen is the custom green arched cabinet with reeded glass. The glass enables the onlooker to see into the cabinet, but the reeded effect blurs the nature of the items for an air of mystery. The cabinet doors are arched to both stand out and coordinate with other subtle arched features throughout. Around the glass the doors are painted a shade of green that’s serene, bringing a sense of nature indoors.
Every choice in this kitchen is intentional, and no detail is accidental. The polished brass, the stained oak, the white and black marble surfaces, and the fixtures and lighting were selected for the overall effect of modern and traditional. A paradox? Maybe in some universes, but not in this kitchen. Here, classic and contemporary blend beautifully for a first-class kitchen that makes the most of its size.
One of the room’s lighting features is a polished brass sconce over the sink, which coordinates beautifully with the faucet. This sconce by Arteriors Lighting is mounted to the wall on a black square that serves as a delightful accent to complete the overall effect. Leaving no detail untended, we added edge details to the counters for a more traditional feel. The island counter’s edge detail includes a 1½-inch Dupont offset, and the back counter has a ¾-inch polished edge.
Ready For A Kitchen Remodel?
If you like what we’ve done with the kitchen space in this Cardiff home and you’re ready to transform your kitchen or bathroom into an area you can enjoy more, reach out to us. As a luxury kitchen designer and bathroom remodeler serving San Diego County and beyond, Savvy Interiors, Inc. can transform your existing rooms into the stuff that dreams are made of.
Luxury isn’t about size. It’s about the little details that change the whole ambiance of a house, regardless of how big or small it may be. As San Diego interior designers who consistently rise to the challenge of beautifying Southern California homes and making them more welcoming, we can add a whole new level of elegance to your place.
The way we see it, San Diego custom kitchens start with a conversation about what you want, and a close look at what you have. From there, we’ll use innovation, fresh ideas, and practical know-how to achieve your goals. We can do it all for you, from West Coast modern to Spanish modern, or even modern simplicity. Savvy Interiors will work with you to create the look and style you want in your remodeled home.
Reasons To Work With Savvy Interiors
We understand you can select any designer you want. So why choose us?
For starters, we are the only San Diego-based interior design firm that holds a general contractors license to remodel a home. This can benefit you in many ways, saving you both time and money since we can handle a lot more of the work ourselves without having to juggle contractors from multiple different companies, or wait on others for permits. With more control over the process, we’re able to oversee the little details that sometimes stump other design firms. Our internal team can streamline the whole process from start to finish, which means you can enjoy your beautiful new space sooner than you might think.
We specialize in luxury kitchens and bathrooms with an emphasis on innovative, fun, and balanced designs. Many consider us the best interior designer in San Diego for our ability to take drab, outdated kitchens that are tired and sad, and turning them into bright, gorgeous, and highly functional custom kitchens.
Our savvy teams do this week after week. We like to think of ourselves as dream makers – we turn plain old houses into the dream houses their owners have always wanted.
If you’re ready to have Savvy Interiors work our magic to give you the luxury kitchen or bathroom you’ve always wanted, reach out to us today. We’ll be happy to have a Savvy designer talk with you about possibilities.