Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.
How do you update a super old kitchen?
Without remodeling?
You can! Just by making a few small updates– you can transform your kitchen right now. Zero construction required.
Here’s how we did it!
This kitchen and nook had great bones but were stuck in a 2000’s style of creamy whites. So the first thing we did was repaint all the cabinets in a bold black shade.
We also painted the island perimeter in black. With the contrast of a white quartz countertop, this kitchen feels more alive and bold (without being overpowering).
We kept the upper cabinets and molding white (except for the range hood section).
Top Tip: When it comes to upgrading your countertops, quartz is usually the best option. Not only does it look stunning, but it’s low-maintenance and a very affordable alternative to marble.
Once we finalized the color palette for this kitchen, we also changed out the hardware. The gold knobs and pulls add a bit more glam to this space!
We also picked white faux leather bar stools with metal legs in the same shade of gold. These beautiful entertaining pieces double as decor. Plus, a kitchen island is the hub of the home! Whether it’s Sunday pancakes, homework sessions, or family get-togethers, you want to make this area comfortable.
Another way we maximized this space was by combining functional lighting with great style. Instead of black iron pendant lights over the kitchen island, we went with gold.
The gold pops against the black background and complements the bar stools and hardware.
Top Tip: Use dimmer switches for a small electrical upgrade. This upgrade adds a lot of versatility into your kitchen space– you can get the lighting just right as you cook, relax, or entertain.
For more tips on the best kitchen transformation tips, check out our post over here!
There’s no rule in any design handbook that says all your metals need to match. If you use gold knobs, try a satin or brushed nickel faucet.
It’s always best to use two metals in one space. Three can get a bit wonky, but it depends on the design. We never recommend using more than three metals, however. If you do, your space will look too scattered and unpolished.
This kitchen now has big style. We loved how the gleaming gold hardware and distinctive dark black finish gave this functional kitchen much-needed personality.
HEAD OVER HERE TO TOUR THE FULL PROJECT!
I offer a complimentary, no-strings-attached phone call consultation. We can also consult by video conference. If you’d like to meet at your home, please know we will use all current safety protocols.
Right now, we’re also offering E-Design. Find the details here!