Teal Takes Over - Kansas City Homes & Style

De Soto homeowners transformed their rental-worn kitchen into a sophisticated blend of traditional charm and contemporary style.

Story by Ann Butenas / Photography by Matt Kocourek

When Laura Suhr, ASID/NKBA and owner of Suhr Interior Design first visited this De Soto country home, the kitchen told a story in it’s own unique way. Years of renters had taken their toll, but the real problem went deeper than wear and tear. The layout was not functional. Blind corner cabinets swallowed storage whole. Awkward 45-degree angles chopped up the flow. A bulky peninsula blocked everything. Yes, there was work to be done.

The homeowners had built the place back in 2005, then promptly moved overseas for work. By the time they returned, they knew cosmetic fixes wouldn’t cut it. They wanted a complete do-over.

“The original layout had several functional complaints,” Suhr said. “Our goal was to honor their traditional aesthetic while making everything feel more current and livable.”

It took about a year to get it right and was part of a larger main-level renovation that included their primary suite. The footprint stayed mostly the same, but it feels twice as big now. That’s what happens when you ditch those angled corners and relocate the double ovens out of a cramped spot. The peninsula is gone and, in its place, stands a proper island with storage on three sides and a U-shaped layout that gives actual counter space to work with.

But what really makes this kitchen sing? The cabinets. Suhr went bold with a dusty teal, balancing blue-green undertones to create a space that is equal parts ‘serene’ and ‘sophisticated’. It’s a timeless look that manages to feel perfectly current.

The homeowners already loved saturated color, and the walls throughout their house proved that. So, Suhr flipped expectations. “I put the saturated tone on the cabinets and used softer warm neutrals on the walls,” she explained. The satin finish gives the color real depth, while modified Shaker-style doors with a subtle cove bead detail keep things from feeling too plain or too fussy.

Those cabinets needed the right partner, and the 3CM Compaq quartz countertops delivered. Deep navy veining runs through grays and hints of gold, pulling together the blue cabinetry and the soft gold hardware that Suhr picked throughout. That hardware finish, inspired by Brizo’s “Champagne Bronze,” hits a sweet spot. “The perfect balance between brass and bronze,” emphasized Suhr.

The backsplash came last. With all that was incorporated into the new design, including bold cabinets, dramatic countertops, Suhr knew she needed something quieter. Tumbled subway tile in warm gray did the job, bridging the gap between countertops and cabinets without demanding attention.

Light was huge for these homeowners, as well. They wanted views, and they wanted brightness. Suhr delivered by removing the corner windows and installing tall windows flanking the range, plus added a generous picture window over the sink. Natural light pours in from two directions now.

The refinished red oak floors play off the custom Alder wood accents, which include the range hood, floating shelves, and upper buffet cabinets, but they don’t match exactly. “I always strive for a little contrast,” Suhr noted. That philosophy is seen everywhere: open shelving mixed with glass-front cabinets and panel-front dishwasher drawers hiding in plain sight while stainless appliances hold their ground.

Then there’s the function. Spice pull-outs are situated right by the cooktop where they’re needed most. The microwave drawer built into the island keeps counters clear. A shallow utility closet squeezed beside the tall oven cabinet holds brooms and cleaning supplies. And all those drawers with built-in organizers? They replaced every blind corner cabinet.

Two cooks can move around each other easily now in this updated space. The homeowners kept their newer fridge and made it look built-in. They still have display space for their collectibles. Everything connects well, as Suhr matched the cabinet and countertop finishes on the hearth room built-ins across from the kitchen and ran the same wall color through all the adjacent rooms.

The whole thing proves you don’t have to abandon tradition to feel current. You just have to know which pieces to keep and which ones to let go.