White Kitchen

It's rare for us to take on single room projects, but when a close friend reached out, we couldn't say no.

The Client was a family of four who was fast outgrowing their first home. On a whim, they saw and purchased a bright Mediterranean house in the suburbs of Orange County.

While the property was perfect in many ways (tons of space to grow into, 180 degree hilltop views, and amazing schools) the 90's kitchen that came with it was in need of much work.

It featured aging appliances and a poorly placed island/bar that walled off the kitchen from the family room while partially blocking the walkway into the Kitchen. Though it had both a bar and a small island, their sizing and placement made the Kitchen feel tighter and more restrictive than functional. Storage was also oddly restrictive in such a large square footage. Avid cooks and constant hosts, a key ask was to improve the flow between the cooking and socializing zones to create a more seamless, functional, and inviting space. They wanted a kitchen that felt both luxurious and highly livable.

The clients also specifically requested a bright white kitchen for their new sun-drenched home, and it was important to SASD to give them a version of this dream with a bit more depth and detail to avoid a cookie-cutter look. A soft taupe palette was selected that would shift and change with light the light throughout the day. Unlacquered brass details offer a natural patina that deepens over time, adding warmth and character, while organic wood objects help to ground the space.

Color aside, spatial redesign and strategic cabinetry details were the focus of the project. The tall bar island was replaced with a larger, more functional island that not only provides ample hidden storage but also opens the pathway from the hallway into the kitchen—an area previously obstructed by the old island/bar. Custom cabinetry extended to the ceilings, with pocketing doors to tuck away their many appliances and cooking tools when not in use.

There was also a window just off the Kitchen that created a pocket of underutilized space. In the redesign a more logical use of the space with a built-in desk that offers a spot for homework or quick household administrative tasks.

APPLIANCES: Thermador

STOOLS: Sergio Rodrigues style "Marbela" stools

LAMP: Vintage from SASD's inventory

POUF: Custom sheepskin pouf