The original kitchen was dated and small for the homeowner’s large family. Space was a top priority for our clients, so to give them some much-needed room to spread out, we tore down the walls enclosing the kitchen and shifted it to where the dining room once stood. This allowed us to design a massive kitchen island, ensuring all family members fit comfortably. First, we painted the cabinets a calming green. Then, we mixed materials throughout the kitchen for an eclectic, collected look. Looking closely, you’ll see we mixed wood tones. We used a natural oak on the floor and a coffee stain on the cabinets, island, and table. We also mixed metals, a characteristic in many of our designs. In the kitchen, we used black, polished nickel, and gold. When mixing metals, we strive to achieve a ping-pong effect, purposefully skipping materials so the eye moves effortlessly around the room. For example, we placed gold wall sconces above the sink and gold hardware on the cabinets below, using polished nickel on the faucet in between the two. To further play off French country design, we laid a brick-shaped tile in a soft, subtle neutral tone. Real brick would have been too red and harsh in this space, so we went with a milder approach. Complimenting the tile, we also mixed standard shaker cabinet fronts with slim shaker insets for a soft, elegant detail.