Before and After: This Kitchen Flips the Script on Beige and Boring
Ida recently stumbled across images she took the day she closed on her condo. Apart from the fantastic light, which is one of the reasons she and her husband were sold on the place, the kitchen was pretty basic and humdrum. It’s come a very long way in the three years since this photo was taken.
What was a beige and boring room now feels warm and welcoming. Ida did a wonderful job reviving this kitchen into something totally new, without changing the layout or moving things around. And, if the beautifully plated meals on her Instagram feed are any indication, she makes very good use of it.
Let’s start with the newly painted cabinets. By going two-tone, Ida added some nice dimension to the kitchen. The darker bottoms are simple and striking, while the white uppers keep the space looking bright and airy. Boxing in the soffits also made everything look more custom and built-in, and avoids that empty and awkward space above the cabinets that no one ever knows what to do with.
Subway tile is a classic—and budget-friendly—choice that never feels tired, especially when it’s laid like bricks, called a running bond. Ida chose dark grout, which gives the backsplash a little extra texture, but still looks bright and clean.
All that crisp white is a lovely backdrop to the other stars of the kitchen: the plants. What looks like a pothos, or maybe a heartleaf philodendron, trails beautifully across the entryway, making the space feel full and alive. It, along with woven rattan pendant light and hardwood floors, add an organic quality that breaks up all the right angles and black-and-white contrast in the room.
A classic color palette, tuxedo-style cabinets, subway tile, and stainless steel appliances: They’re all hallmarks of a timeless kitchen that will look good for years to come.
Thank you Ida and Makamashi Shop!