The first floor of this historic home was once a general store. It was broken up into small rooms when it was turned into residential space, but we knew we could create a bright and cheery kitchen by taking down the walls and opening it up. The window sill heights were lifted which allowed us to maximize cabinetry and counter space along the long wall. We aimed to keep things light and bright by opting for floating shelves instead of heavy upper cabinets on that wall and took the subway tile up to the ceiling, adding a little bit of shine all the way up. The pendant lights are clear glass orbs which add style without heaviness. See-through counter stools offer comfort and convenience while still feeling airy. Touches of brass in the lights, stools and decor add sparkle and interest. The wainscoting on the wall behind the island was an original feature in the dining room, and we continued it along this wall to honor the original character of the house. Taking down the walls also gave us plenty of room for an 11 foot long island, perfect for accommodating this family of five. The island is a rich walnut while the perimeter cabinets are a soft green. White quartz countertops sit atop both the cabinetry and the island and are a link to the white tile walls and wainscoting.