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Balancing Act
Adding color was just the first step in updating a monochromatic kitchen

The Challenge: Kathy Wilson’s Seattle Highlands early ’90s home had not been updated in more than 10 years, and the kitchen’s monochromatic color scheme overwhelmed the space. The balance of the room was thrown off by a massive wall of cabinets on one side that contrasted with the large picture windows on the other. The homeowner was looking for a change. "It all felt dated—we were livening up the rest of the house, so the kitchen looked even more tired by comparison," Wilson reasoned.

before photo of seattle kitchen
Before
The Solution: The first step to modernize the space was adding color. Designer Sally Kelly, of Henderson Kelly, wanted to bring in the sense of balance she felt was lacking in the existing kitchen. "Color plays a large part in keeping the kitchen cohesive," Kelly explains. "The cool and warm colors create a slight tension that adds drama." To further open up the space, Kelly replaced solid cabinet doors with aluminum and glass, then extended the counter top, which eliminated the heaviness of a continuous wall of wood. "Floating the cabinets above the counter top helped us achieve the lightness that we were striving for."

Design Details:

* Warm, dark brown cabinets are balanced by a light blue glass backsplash and stainless steel fixtures and appliances.
* The full-height back-splash over the cooktop is achieved by using back-painted glass panels delineated by aluminum inserts.
* Light from the kitchen windows reflects off the glass tiles and brightens the space, adding to the sense of openness in the room.
* Shallow cabinets were removed and replaced by deep cabinets, preserving storage under the extended counter top.


Interior Designer: Sally Kelly, Henderson | Kelly, (206) 343-4330
Contractor: Thomas Jacobson Construction, (206) 723-2096
Custom Cabinetry: Jonathan Paul’s, (206) 767-7971