Designing this kitchen was all about creating a space that felt authentic to the home’s mid-century style while working for a young family of five. The goal? Colorful, unique, and timeless — a kitchen that would grow with the family and make the most of their stunning views.
Rethinking the Layout
The biggest challenge was reimagining how the kitchen, dining room, and living room functioned together. Like many mid-century homes, the original layout had the potential for open, shared spaces — but over the years, walls had been added to carve the rooms into smaller sections.
This meant that even though the house had incredible views, they weren’t visible from the kitchen at all. The existing galley kitchen even ended with a small office tucked into a corner.
Our first step was to remove walls and open the space back up. We used furniture and millwork — rather than walls — to create subtle divisions between the kitchen, dining, and living areas. A long peninsula now flows into a statement bar, grounding the space and connecting it to the rest of the home.
Designing for Function
Even with the layout opened up, we kept the cabinetry configuration close to the original for efficiency. We downsized the range to allow space for a second wall oven and a speed oven — perfect for a busy family that loves to cook.
The pantry got a major upgrade, too. What was once a simple closet is now a butler’s pantry with ribbed glass doors that stay open most of the time but can be closed to hide kitchen clutter during gatherings.
Color, Texture, and Materials
Once the floor plan was finalized with the architect and cabinet designer, we turned our focus to color and texture.
- Cabinetry: A lush, deep green with brass hardware for a warm, timeless look.
- Hood Range: A plaster-style hood that adds softness and breaks up the dark cabinetry.
- Glass Details: Ribbed glass doors — used sparingly — over the sink and on the pantry doors, echoing the ribbed paneling on the bar and custom breakfast nook.
- Counters: Dark soapstone with dramatic white veining, durable enough for daily cooking.
- Floors: Terrazzo-style flooring that ties everything together and adds playful energy.
- Backsplash: Off-white tile in a staggered soldier pattern, providing subtle texture without overpowering the space.
A Custom Breakfast Nook
The most challenging — and most rewarding — part of the project was designing the family’s custom breakfast nook. The table had to be large enough for family meals and daily homework sessions, so we had it custom-built with a stone top for easy cleanup.
The built-in bench was made by the same carpenter who built the table and buffet, upholstered in a durable pleather that looks like leather but stands up to spills and sticky hands. Above the nook hangs a hot magenta light fixture from Schoolhouse, adding a playful pop of color that ties into the pink tones of the kitchen tile.
Finishing Touches
The final layer was light control. We installed custom Hunter Douglas silhouette shades — the perfect solution to filter bright ocean light without blocking those incredible views.
The end result is a kitchen that feels vibrant, practical, and completely connected to the rest of the home — a space where the family can cook, gather, and grow for years to come.
Shop the Look: Mid-Century Family Kitchen
Love this kitchen? Here are some of the key pieces and materials that make it special. These are great starting points if you’re planning a colorful, family-friendly kitchen of your own:
- Cabinetry Color: Miralis English Green and Walnut by Designed by Today’s Kitchens
- Hardware: Classic Brass Pulls & Knobs from Top Knobs
- Counters: Soapstone
- Flooring: Veronese Crema Tile from Artistic Tile
- Pendant Light: Luna Light from Schoolhouse in Magenta
- Shades: Hunter Douglas Luminette Shades
- Backsplash Tile: Wellfleet in Seashell from Tile America
- Breakfast Nook: Custom table + bench by Huntington Home Designs
