Here’s What’s Cooking in the Neighborhood

This one-of-a-kind kitchen brings a secret ingredient: An Irresistible Style!

When you first encounter this spectacular remodeled kitchen in Overland Park, Kansas, all you can do is stare. Fortunately, the designer makes it worth your while to do so. One key element within this stunning design is that it’s captivating style doesn’t just make you notice it; it makes you remember it.

This 1950s ranch style home was in need of a kitchen update. However, the designer wanted to ensure subtle details from its mid-century personality remained intact. What you might not notice on your first walk-through, you just may pick up on your second go-around. It is the unique details that create the story of this space.

“The tile pattern on the backsplash reminds me of a Sputnik aesthetic,” noted Jill Painter, CKD and owner of Bella Kitchens. “And the pendant lights above the counter have a shape reminiscent of that fifties style.”

Painter enjoyed working with her client on this particular project because the client basically directed her to “do what you think is great. This is your kitchen.”

And from such directives came phenomenal greatness.

“The client was very open to fun and bold colors,” Painter noted. “He really appreciated the contrast and unique details I proposed.”

When you first walk into the home, you see the huge picture window in the kitchen and the side of the peninsula. As you round the corner into the kitchen, the one-of-a-kind backsplash is truly a conversation starter.

“The tile is a custom blend glass which incorporated one color in three different finishes: gloss, matte and iridescent,” explained Painter. “Together, this creates a sense of depth.”

To enlarge the space, Painter opened up the walls on both ends of the former kitchen and added much larger windows to allow ample natural light to embrace the space. She also moved the peninsula into the existing eating area as there is another dining room on the other side. Due to the long and narrow footprint, Painter installed a built-in refrigerator, allowing for a seamless integration with the other cabinets. The details of the hardware on the cabinets offer that desired hint of mid-century aesthetic to the space.

The cabinets are a custom cherry stain color with some painted in white for contrast. All the cabinets are custom made, with a factory finish so they have a luxe durable top coat on them providing a luxurious smooth satin finish. Again, it is in the details of the cabinetry that speak to the artist within the designer.

“I chose two different door styles,” noted Painter. “I designed the white doors with a wide frame and a narrow reveal so it looks flat but has a subtle depth to it. The style coordinates nicely with the cherry slab doors and keeps it from looking too modern.”

The pantries that flank the refrigerator and oven area were deliberately created as narrow pieces for definition and also to make them appear like pieces of furniture. Plus, because of the placement of the peninsula, Painter made them shallower dimensionally to provide a walkway.

Other details emerge in the sink and the countertops. The faucet enjoys a knurl texture handle, providing a balance of industrial appeal with a masculine touch, perfect for the bachelor who resides here.

“The faucet has to have enough presence to balance the bold, black sink,” expressed Painter.

The contrasting counters are a pure white quartz. Painter added waterfalls to both ends to frame out the symmetrical u-shape of the perimeter cabinets.

Overall, the secret ingredient within this design was the open-minded approach the client took to the project.

“I loved working with him, as he was open to all of my design details and layout, trusting me in the process,” expressed Painter. “He was extremely happy with the final product.”