Meet the Santa Cruz family that wanted to remodel their kitchen…. A family of five with three rambunctious boys, two dogs (meet Stanley in the picture who charmed everyone), and a typically busy lifestyle…. trying to balance it all.  They homeschool their boys and work from home, while trying to keep the house organized and cook meals that everyone will actually eat. All of this in a 1400 square foot house from the 60’s that has never been upgraded (yes, those oak cabinets that we all love and crappy floor plans that don’t support how we actually live). 

They craved organization, a beautiful space that expressed their unique sense of style, and generally a home that supported their lifestyle.  She wanted to hire a designer, he didn’t think they needed one. She had an array of images from Pinterest and the husband worried about what it would all cost.  She wanted to open up the kitchen to the living room, he feared how complicated it would be. She wanted a beautiful kitchen, he wanted a durable kitchen. All typical in the design and remodeling journey.

And so the journey began.  We tried various floor plans - from super simple to more complicated plans that removed structural walls.  After much debate, we THANKFULLY landed on the plan that removed the wall separating the living room from the kitchen, allowing the house to breath.  We added a huge island. We added an amazing amount of storage in the dining room for all of the homeschooling supplies. The boys could now sit at the island or dining room table and study, eat, play, and be boys.  We added lighting - a lot of lighting - so everyone could see to work. Maybe most importantly, we strove to capture their style. The wife brought it all into focus when she said “I want my kitchen to be High-End meets Punk Rock”.  That made me really happy - they just gave me permission to get wild. We introduced a variety of materials, finishes and textures that added a unique edge, maintained that upscale feeling, while keeping durability and function as a key goal.  We added Shagreen Leather drawer fronts recessed into the dining room cabinetry. The lower cabinets are a durable, hard hickory wood that could weather the dogs, boys, cooking, kicking, etc. We added deep, rich charcoal cabinetry around the built-in Subzero refrigerator and Pantry that anchors the kitchen and provides a stunning, yet edgy focal point.  We did white uppers and a built-in hood in the kitchen to maintain a lighter, airy feeling (to make sure the dark colors did not make the kitchen too heavy). The different metallic elements add a punch - we used three different hardware finishes and a unique antique-ish glass paneling that added yet another subtle layer of punk rock. And we also made sure they had plenty of storage and function throughout the cabinetry.  We mapped out where pots and pans would go, plates would be stored, trash and recycling would be, along with baking pans, cutting boards, and all that kitchen gadgetry and “stuff of life”. We found a balance between edgy Punk Rock, Upscale Beauty, and high functionality.

As a designer, this project was super fun and creative.  The clients made me laugh, regularly. They somehow managed to keep a keen sense of humor alongside the stress of remodeling.  They let me get to know them and really create. They opened their home and lives to me and I feel so honored to have been a part of their journey.

Project Materials

Cabinetry:  Crystal Cabinet Works - Hickory with Grey Stain and Black Highlight, White Paint, Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron Paint.

Countertops & Backsplash:  Cambria Brittanicca

Cabinet Hardware:  Top Knobs

Lighting:  Visual Comfort 

Appliances:  Subzero, Wolf, Vent a Hood, Sharp Microwave Drawer

Plumbing Fixtures:  Plumbed Elegance - California Faucets

Wall Color:  Benjamin Moore Barren Plain

Ceiling Color:  Benjamin Moore White Dove

Bar stools and Dining Room Table:  Restoration Hardware

General Contractor:  Santa Cruz Green Builders

Flooring:  Samaya’s Eco Flooring

Photography: Kate Falconer Photography