Home & Style

Before & After: A Basic Kitchen Gets a Warm Modern Makeover

See this room’s major transformation.

Before & After: A Basic Kitchen Gets a Warm Modern Makeover
All photos courtesy of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath.

This makeover renders this kitchen practically unrecognizable. The original space had a few basic layout problems—including a standard U-shape design that left lots of unusable space but offered little storage—and not much personality. The homeowners wished for a clean-lined, modern look with a touch of European style.

Designer Paul Bentham of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath completely renovated the space to incorporate a 13-foot center island that follows the room’s length. On one end is stovetop cooking and a waterfall top; on the other, seating for five and a table-style overhang. The island’s four-inch Peruvian walnut imparts a rich warmth against the slick, high-gloss white of the wall and island base cabinets and cool marble backsplash and counters. Bentham searched for eight months to source the matching walnut veneer for the perimeter cabinets. Final touches? Hidden Miele appliances and wine chillers to stash the homeowner’s collection, a stainless steel vent hood, and sculptural pendant lights.

Take a closer look at the transformation below.