An Outdated Kitchen Gets a Stunning Makeover That’ll Make You Rethink Oak Cabinets
When ceramicist Morgan Levine remodeled the kitchen in her and her husband Gregory’s Brooklyn apartment, she wanted to transform the space into something that was actually functional.
The original kitchen, which Morgan says has features that were likely from the 1940s, had sporadic updates over the years, but wasn’t quite as inviting and open as the couple wanted.
“I needed a space where I could entertain, and where I could use and display my pottery and my collection of other potters’ work,” Morgan says. “I knew I wanted solid wood slab doors. I wanted cabinets that could get banged up and look like they have character rather than needing to be replaced.”
While dreaming up a new kitchen with the help of contractor Nick Caraguilo from Transcend Construction, Morgan pulled from past experiences to shape the room. After taking a ride on the 1930 Tugboat W.O. Decker at the South Street Seaport Museum, she wanted to model the new kitchen with the same ethos as the boat: “functional, decorative, and old.”
When thinking about her kitchen island, Morgan also pulled from her time working for Martha Stewart. Instead of adding seating around the island, she wanted to use the space to display cookware (a tip she pulled from Martha’s sets and homes).
Nick created the layout, which features several oak cabinets and drawers from Omega Cabinetry for ample storage (they’re adorned with Amazon knobs and Wayfair pulls), while Morgan DIYed several items like the bobbin shelf that holds glassware, as well as the tile backsplash — she made the tiles and painted the pattern on herself!
“I decided to make the backsplash when my husband and I couldn’t agree on anything commercially available,” Morgan shares. “I would have purchased something more simple or textural, but I’m thrilled with the palette and patterns I created.”
The backsplash and cabinets pair wonderfully with the oak hardwood flooring the couple installed. Additionally, the wall colors (Benjamin Moore’s Simply White with Chantilly Lace) blend seamlessly with the peninsula’s color (Benjamin Moore’s Newburg Green). The Wayfair pendant lights above the island add some visual intrigue, too.
A dining area across from the kitchen features a fireplace (Morgan also made the tiles for this!) and furniture that’s been collected throughout the years. The two spaces, bathed in sunlight, are separated by an IKEA IVAR cabinet, which holds the trash and recycling bins. “I like how the oak counter and painted cabinet work as a transition between the dining area and kitchen space,” she says.
The kitchen took around six months from start to finish, and Morgan loves the “functionality, great light, and [how it] somehow feels both cozy and open.” To see more of their gorgeous home, visit the full House Tour on Apartment Therapy.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: Before & After: An Outdated White Kitchen Gets a “Stunning” Makeover That’ll Make You Rethink Oak Cabinets