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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Bring Your Tuxedo

| By John Petersik | May 8, 2013 | 122 Comments

Reader Redesign: Bring Your Tuxedo

As much as we love a white kitchen, there are so many other fun options out there, like my sister’s wood cabinets + white appliances combo and “tuxedo” kitchens (a combo of dark and light cabinets). So when Rita’s makeover landed in our inbox, we couldn’t believe how much she changed her space for the better, and especially liked her two-tone cabinets. Here’s her letter:

Hi Sherry and John, We recently finished renovating our kitchen. The challenge was creating a kosher kitchen (two sinks and separate spaces for meat and dairy) while keeping it looking clean and uncluttered and keeping the cost down. The original kitchen was beige-on-beige laminate with very little counter space.

Rita Before

The only thing that wasn’t torn out was the window above the sink! The wall between the dining room and kitchen was removed, the dinette area was deleted, and that’s where the breakfast bar now sits. The large picture window was made shorter to accommodate the long counter with a second sink.

Rita After

This kitchen is all about contrasts… white upper cabinets and dark gray bottom cabinets, a rough reclaimed wood dining table and shimmery capiz lighting fixture, sleek white counter tops and a dark limestone tile backsplash.

Rita Counter Detail

The cabinets are shaker style Diamond cabinets from Lowe’s (I’m thrilled with the quality). The brass pulls are Martha Stewart for Home Depot and the counters are quartz. Light fixtures over the breakfast bar and sink are from Schoolhouse Electric. The natural light that pours into the kitchen most of the day is awesome although I still need window treatments–I’m thinking of roman shades.

Rita Sink Detail

The new pantry sits where the original refrigerator used to be.

Rita Other Side Before

There are also two “sides” flanking the stove–one for meat the other side for dairy.

Rita Other Side After

Here’s one of my favorite things–I found the idea on Pinterest.

Rita TV Above Fridge

It was totally worth the months of plaster dust and living with no sink or stove for a while.  Our new kitchen is not only beautiful but a pleasure to cook in and I feel blessed to be able to work in it everyday. Thank you, Rita

No, thank YOU Rita! Because in addition to that awesome cabinet color combo, you have actually made me – a dude who likes power washing – appreciate gold hardware. And Sherry’s pretty much in love with everything, but the gold fixture over the sink (speaking of which, you can read all of the full sources on her blog) did her in. Thanks again for sharing your kitchen! What do you guys think? Got a favorite part? Who’s digging the secret TV?

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Comments

  1. Avatar for MurphyMurphy says

    May 8, 2013 at 6:38 pm

    I LOVE the kitchen.

    It is peaceful, sleek and full of surprises – like the mystery TV and the “Luxo” Pixar lamp over the sink. I also love the corner cabinets on a diagonal instead of sharp corners. This is a kitchen done right, not just the surfaces but the practicality of the layout.

    This is way up on the top of the list of great kitchens. Well done, Rita. You know your stuff!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Lindsey @ A Pear to RememberLindsey @ A Pear to Remember says

    May 8, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Damn.

    Also, I read this post while bouncing to Suit & Tie. Perfect.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 8, 2013 at 7:17 pm

      Haha!

      xo
      s

  3. Avatar for carlicarli says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    Gorgeous kitchen! Love all the contrast and that copper light over the kitchen sink is dynamite!!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for JaneJane says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:14 pm

    I love love LOVE the light over the sink! It’s so perfectly unique and artistic while still being super functional as task lighting. Love! My husband has been campaigning for a TV in our kitchen, and this is the first set-up I’ve seen that could possibly convince me to cave and get one.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for MicheleMichele says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    Woo! Loving the brass hardware- words that I have NEVER spoken… Errr, typed, before. And the lighting! And the cabinets/countertops! I’m in full swoon.

    Reply
  6. Avatar for AngieAngie says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    Wow! I’m kind of obsessed with this kitchen.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for MandiMandi says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    Thank you so much for featuring a kosher kitchen – it’s a certain kind of consideration in a design, and one doesn’t run into it very often in the Blogosphere!! It’s so lovely – kudos to the family.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Captain MicahCaptain Micah says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    Oh my heck. WHERE IS THAT FRUIT HOLDER BASKET FROM?

    I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect one, and it is in this kitchen!

    Rita, can you please share?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Rita from designmegillahRita from designmegillah says

      May 9, 2013 at 10:01 am

      It’s from Sur La Table

  9. Avatar for Lauryn GallowayLauryn Galloway says

    May 8, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    RITA! This is insanely GORGEOUS. Literally one of my favorite kitchens yet!!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for mpmp says

    May 8, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    Intrigued that Rita loves the quality of her Diamond cabinets … when I visited Lowe’s a few years ago for a reno plan, the kitchen designer firmly guided me away from Diamond, saying her installers hated their shoddy quality.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    May 8, 2013 at 10:28 pm

    It’s so beautiful! What an amazing job.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Kristen S.Kristen S. says

    May 8, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    Wow, this kitchen is amaaaaaaaazing. Great job! Great share!!!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for IndiaIndia says

    May 8, 2013 at 11:55 pm

    This is one of my favourite ever Reader Redesigns! They did an amazing job – that’s an incredible kitchen. You’re right Sherry, that light fixture over the sink is pretty much to die for!
    x

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Julie JacobsenJulie Jacobsen says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:24 am

    LOVE the “jewelry” found in all that brass hardware and the sink light. Even those bubble pendants look like earrings. Very tasteful and beautiful all around!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Carley @ On One HandCarley @ On One Hand says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:48 am

    Um….kosher or not, you can never go wrong with two sinks. Especially when you have kids or more than one person cooking in the kitchen (<<especially the latter). It just makes life easier. They did a beautiful job!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    May 9, 2013 at 1:36 am

    The TV is my FAVE part of this kitchen. How convenient?!!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for decoraticadecoratica says

    May 9, 2013 at 2:23 am

    Very beautiful combo, someone should try it in their new home? :) Can’t wait to see!!

    Btw, I miss a pint it button in the images. It’s a new blog fashion out there that I find very useful(I did it myself on my blog too…)

    I can’t get bored of your sister’s home,it’s so beautiful!

    xx

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2013 at 8:22 am

      Thanks so much! We tried putting a pin it button on every image (that pops up when you scroll) and within a few hours we got complaints that it was annoying, so we got ’em down asap. Maybe if we can find a way to make them less assuming we can bring them back? Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Janelle @ Two Cups of HappyJanelle @ Two Cups of Happy says

      May 9, 2013 at 9:55 am

      You may already know this, but you can add a Pin-It button to your browser. Visit pinterest for instructions on how to set it up. With the Pin-It button no matter what website you visit it’s just two clicks to pin an image! Hope this is helpful for someone :)

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Oh yes, I do it that way. Great tip Janelle :)

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for decoraticadecoratica says

      May 9, 2013 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks Jannel and Sherry! I find it very useful specially when there are a lot of images to pin… I have read about a feature you can add to firefox and chrome to pin with the right clic of the mouse, may try…

      I should have thought that there was another reason for note having it… silly me… it might be a matter of tastes :)

      xx

  18. Avatar for StaceyStacey says

    May 9, 2013 at 3:12 am

    Stunning.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Leonie HFLeonie HF says

    May 9, 2013 at 5:59 am

    Fantastic kitchen, the contrasting colours are amazing. And the gold details pretty spectacular. It’s a fab space that works for the owners and that’s the most important thing; authenticity. For me, the most beautiful spaces are the honest ones. And that hidden TV is an awesome idea.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Emily BradburyEmily Bradbury says

    May 9, 2013 at 6:26 am

    Rita has made the kitchen look so fresh and modern – it can be difficult to make a kitchen look stylish, homely yet functional all in one, but she has really nailed it!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for KendallKendall says

    May 9, 2013 at 7:09 am

    Gorgeous, LOVE the hidden tv!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for EmmaEmma says

    May 9, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Oooh… All of the lights are glorious!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for John @ Our Home from ScratchJohn @ Our Home from Scratch says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:13 am

    Wow! Beautiful transformation. Love it.

    That tv above the fridge is enough to make a grown man shed a tear of joy. I hope it plays some sort of angelic hymn when those doors open and the tv slides out. It’s only appropriate.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2013 at 9:26 am

      Hahah!

      xo
      s

  24. Avatar for BridgetBridget says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Love how they shortened the window to extend the countertops. I smell insipration for the kitchen in your new hosue!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for BridgetBridget says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:46 am

    Love how they shortened the window to extend the countertops. I smell inspiration for your new house!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Janelle @ Two Cups of HappyJanelle @ Two Cups of Happy says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:56 am

    Love the look of contrast! So sleek.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for GreenInOCGreenInOC says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Love it all, it’s beautiful.

    I’m a sucker for hidden, smart solutions. I had a verbal reaction to the tv cabinet – very clever and while I have no need to a tv in my kitchen I want to emulate this just because!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for SassafrasSassafras says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:17 am

    AWESOME job Rita! I love this look and this is very much what I’m wanting to do to our too dark kitchy! I’m going to share your kitchen with my husband in hopes of inspiring some droooooool!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for rebeccasdelightfulhomerebeccasdelightfulhome says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:20 am

    The white quartz countertop is beautiful! Love the flatscreen above the fridge & that it can be stored in the cabinet. Great use of space!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for SaraSara says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:32 am

    The kitchen looks great! Love the cabinets. Where did they relocate the hot water baseboard heat to though?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2013 at 10:55 am

      Hope she stops in with that info :)

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for Rita from designmegillahRita from designmegillah says

      May 9, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Good question Sara. Because we eliminated a baseboard, our plumber installed a new one under the dining window that gives off double the amount of heat to make up for it.

  31. Avatar for Henna | HENNA BLOSSOM BLOGHenna | HENNA BLOSSOM BLOG says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:36 am

    oooh, I’m in love with the gold hardware on the cabinets! So simple and classic. I’m adding those to my list!

    I really love simple kitchens with toned down colors (but extra detail). This one hit the spot! :)

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Amy B.Amy B. says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:48 am

    Stunning makeover! I’m loving the contrast.

    Reply
  33. Avatar for N ShirleyN Shirley says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:51 am

    A really beautiful kitchen! I had fun checking out her blog also- she is from CT also- just like me! :-)

    Reply
  34. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    May 9, 2013 at 11:39 am

    Hey, are you guys going to update today? No big deal if you are or aren’t, I just don’t want to keep checking :0)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2013 at 11:42 am

      We did! Here’s the link for you. Maybe it’s a computer cache issue on your end if it hasn’t shown up yet? We have 103 comments so it seems to be visible to most people. One way to fix that is to empty the data/cache/cookies on your browser and it should pop up :)

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for JessicaJessica says

      May 9, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      That was totally it, thanks!!! You guys are always so prompt that I was totally confused, then concerned! Lol!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 9, 2013 at 12:04 pm

      Glad it came back for you :)

      xo
      s

  35. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    May 9, 2013 at 11:47 am

    OMG this kitchen is gorgeous! I haven’t always been a fan of the dark/light kitchens, but they are definitely growing on me. I just about died and went to heaven when I saw this one recently: http://pinterest.com/pin/194288171397169422/ These kitchens have brass hardware in common too, I guess brass is finally making a comeback after all these years! Also, I am DEFINITELY pinning that TV over the fridge idea for my dream kitchen down the road…

    Reply
  36. Avatar for DanaDana says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    Love this! I recently took the plunge and painted my cabinets like this and I’m in love. And I’m getting my new quartz counters installed next week (!). This post gave me some great inspiration for those final touches. Thanks!!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for Megan @ Monroe MakeshiftMegan @ Monroe Makeshift says

    May 9, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    So pretty! I love all of the natural greenery and artwork. I think, though, what I like best about it is just the layout. Everything is in just the right place, there’s plenty of space to move around, and I honestly prefer peninsulas over islands – so much more counter space! Great job!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    May 9, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    capturing this in my memory when we re-do our kitchen. I love it! And the secret TV is awesome: I can’t reach that area anyway, and what an awesome use for it!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for JessJess says

    May 9, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    Yay brushed/antiqued brass pulls!! I’m so excited that this look is becoming popular again because that means more selection and easier to find products.

    The whole kitchen is lovely, going into my inspiration folder :)

    Reply
  40. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    May 9, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    YES! This is perfect! I’ve been looking for inspiration on my kitchen reno for almost a year. It’s been about that long since we moved in and tore out the wall between the kitchen and formal dining room. I’ve already got some beautiful white cabinets that I’m using for storage as we live in the house and cannot go without a kitchen. Your before picture is almost exactly my before also, and I LOVE how your kitchen turned out! Thanks!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for AllisonAllison says

    May 9, 2013 at 6:53 pm

    I’m almost gasped when I saw the first photo! I thought the cabinets on the stove side of the room were mint green! How awesome would that be? Even though they are white I still love this renovation :)

    Reply
  42. Avatar for BaileyBailey says

    May 9, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    It’s so inspiring to see how people remake their homes. I love these features!!

    xox
    Bailey
    http://akabailey.blogspot.com

    Reply
  43. Avatar for JoanneJoanne says

    May 10, 2013 at 8:41 am

    So pretty, and functional! THis is really inspiring me to take the plunge and update our oaky 80s kitchen.
    QUESTION FOR RITA – How did you deal with the baseboard heat? I have it, too. And, it is really limited my ideas for improved layout.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Rita from designmegillahRita from designmegillah says

      May 10, 2013 at 3:06 pm

      Hi Joanne,
      Because we removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen we lost the baseboard heat that was on that wall. My plumber installed a new baseboard heater under the dining room window which gives off double the amount of heat to make up for the loss. So far it seems to work well.

  44. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    May 11, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Do you know where Rita got her fruit basket?! I kinda love it!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 11, 2013 at 10:28 am

      Hope she drops on with that info :)

      xo,
      s

  45. Avatar for JustineJustine says

    June 4, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    I am totally late to the party of loving this kitchen, but I do. I love everything, especially those handles (will have to go to my local HD to take a looksie), and that dark gray color – are those a stock cabinet color, or were they painted? If painted, I would love the know the color, thanks!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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