"A Kitchen Refresh with Honey Oak Cabinets"

With the launch of my new furniture line, there was a pressing need to "level up" some areas in my home to the standard of the new pieces.  Sad but true.  It's funny how when you design for a living, your own home tends to get neglected.  Plus, I'm hoping to capture some imagery of the pieces in the context of a home environment and my place is a convenient locale.  

Magnolia (in Revolution Performance Fabrics Darwin)
Belle by Cheryl Luckett for Sylvester Alexander 

The kitchen will be the home of Magnolia, one of two banquettes we've created for the Belle by Cheryl Luckett collection.  I'm so in love with this banquette!  It was the first completed piece and is currently hanging out at my place until High Point Market.  

 At the same time, Wildwood Home reached out to me looking to collaborate and offered to send over a light of my choosing.  I've always loved Wildwood and I was pleased as punch to make a selection from their beautiful inventory.  It wasn't easy, but ultimately I decided to go with this classic bamboo chandelier in an antiqued silver.

Wildwood Home

While I love modern pieces, my home is colorful but fairly traditional.  I wanted to ensure that I selected something that would work well with my current style.  I love the simplicity of this Asian inspired chandelier and it will work perfectly with my growing collection of blue and white pottery. 

Here's what might shock you.  I've always been pretty adamant about not painting my cabinets.  Unlike most these days, I actually like the wood tone.  Sure, honey oak would never have been my first choice but I do feel like wood always serves to add warmth to a space.  I also don't think this is my forever home and the thought of making a huge investment or doing a full reno here didn't seem like a smart move. 

I began scheming after falling for this beautiful orange and blue floral fabric by Dwell Studio.  I'm not usually an orange fan but I knew that this fun floral would be eye-catching and would totally detract attention from the builder-grade cabinetry.  

I'm still in the process of making some final decisions but here's where we're heading...

The process may take a little while, I'm taking my time with this one, but I'm already loving the changes.  I opted for Louis dining chairs from Kincaid Furniture and have already received them.  The honey oak wood serves to elevate the cabinetry.  I scored (with the help of a friend) this amazing vintage Duncan Phyfe dining table from an estate sale.  You'd be surprised how a rich wood table can dress up even the most casual of eat-in kitchens.  

via Ballard Designs

While, I'm opposed to painting all of my cabinetry, I am open to painting the island.  Thanks to Sherwin Williams I'm leaning heavily toward Smokey Azurite.   I'm planning to switch out the formica countertops to butcher block on the island and possibly quartz on the remaining countertops.

I'm also hoping that we'll be able to create a larger counter on the island so I can add some very streamlined seating there.  I haven't quite decided on my bar stools yet but I'm leaning toward something simple.  I actually love this throwback stool from Ballard Designs.  I'll likely go pretty neutral with the backsplash and I've had my eye on a handmade subway tile.  The walls are going from a farmhouse yellow to Accessible Beige, also from Sherwin Williams.  

I'll be honest, the kitchen is the space in my home that I've avoided tackling for years, but I'm excited about the changes already underway.  

Stay tuned...

And if you missed the release of the Magnolia on social media, check it out here!