Kitchen of the Week: A Hardworking Island Creates Efficient Zones
This L-shaped island delivers multiple prep areas as well as an inviting banquette dining spot for casual family meals
Jeannie Matteucci
17 May 2019
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish spaces, smart lighting and a good decaf dry cappuccino.
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish... More
Josh and Maria Knox dubbed their original kitchen island the “sushi bar.” That’s because the two-tier island with curved countertop and dark teak laminate cabinetry gave the couple the impression of a contemporary sushi counter rather than a casual kitchen hub fit for a family with two daughters and two dogs.
After buying the home, they spent two years gathering design ideas before hiring kitchen designer Renee Jordan and interior designer Diana Westerberg to create a more functional and user-friendly kitchen in a style that feels more like home than a night on the town.
After buying the home, they spent two years gathering design ideas before hiring kitchen designer Renee Jordan and interior designer Diana Westerberg to create a more functional and user-friendly kitchen in a style that feels more like home than a night on the town.
“After” photos by Stephanie Russo Photography
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Josh and Maria Knox; their daughters, Emma and Sophia; and their two dogs
Location: El Dorado Hills, California
Size: About 185 square feet (17 square meters)
Designers: Renee Jordan of Precision Cabinetry and Design (kitchen design) and Diana Westerberg of DW Designs (interior design)
Before: The curved floating soffit and dark teak cabinets and floors made the existing kitchen feel a bit too moody for the Knoxes. And they felt the awkwardly shaped island with its open cabinet on the end stuck out like a sore thumb.
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Josh and Maria Knox; their daughters, Emma and Sophia; and their two dogs
Location: El Dorado Hills, California
Size: About 185 square feet (17 square meters)
Designers: Renee Jordan of Precision Cabinetry and Design (kitchen design) and Diana Westerberg of DW Designs (interior design)
Before: The curved floating soffit and dark teak cabinets and floors made the existing kitchen feel a bit too moody for the Knoxes. And they felt the awkwardly shaped island with its open cabinet on the end stuck out like a sore thumb.
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz
After: After consulting with Jordan and Westerberg, the couple decided to incorporate the soffit and existing skylight into the new design to avoid expensive structural changes. “I like that the skylight adds extra light into the kitchen, and I think the curved soffit is actually a nice detail,” Maria says. You can see the outer edge of the soffit in the next photo.
Removing the existing island allowed room for a more user-friendly L-shaped island with attached banquette and custom cushion and pillows. The island design gives the family a comfortable, inviting spot for casual meals and doing homework on one side, with designated work zones on the kitchen side.
The lower maple cabinets feature a durable navy blue factory finish, while the upper cabinets have an alpine white finish. The two tones lighten things up and offer nice contrast to the chestnut-colored teak floor.
Shop for dining chairs on Houzz
Removing the existing island allowed room for a more user-friendly L-shaped island with attached banquette and custom cushion and pillows. The island design gives the family a comfortable, inviting spot for casual meals and doing homework on one side, with designated work zones on the kitchen side.
The lower maple cabinets feature a durable navy blue factory finish, while the upper cabinets have an alpine white finish. The two tones lighten things up and offer nice contrast to the chestnut-colored teak floor.
Shop for dining chairs on Houzz
This shows how the new island creates better traffic flow in and out of the kitchen. “The design of this kitchen is all about point of use, to make a space where more than one person can work in there without bumping into each other,” Jordan says.
Westerberg helped Maria choose the sculptural glass pendants above the island and the patterned fabric for the cushions. “It’s a heavy traffic area, so it’s not forgiving,” Westerberg says. “We wanted to get something with a pattern that hides more. It’s also an outdoor fabric that’s easy to clean.”
Westerberg helped Maria choose the sculptural glass pendants above the island and the patterned fabric for the cushions. “It’s a heavy traffic area, so it’s not forgiving,” Westerberg says. “We wanted to get something with a pattern that hides more. It’s also an outdoor fabric that’s easy to clean.”
The existing angled walls in the cooking zone prevented the designers from bringing upper cabinets close to the range. Instead, Westerberg added alder floating shelves on each side. “It was just an odd corner,” she says. “The floating shelves help open up the kitchen, and they add that contemporary feel too.”
The backsplash is 8½-by-1½-inch white ceramic tile laid in a chevron pattern with white grout. “The chevron pattern was primarily done to have tone-on-tone but add an element of texture there,” Jordan says.
The backsplash is 8½-by-1½-inch white ceramic tile laid in a chevron pattern with white grout. “The chevron pattern was primarily done to have tone-on-tone but add an element of texture there,” Jordan says.
A breakfast center to the right of the range includes a built-in coffee and espresso machine, beverage fridge and microwave drawer. A bifold, lift-up cabinet door hides a stand mixer.
Inserts in a drawer to the left of the microwave organize utensils and small metal canisters that hold spices for coffee drinks.
The white farmhouse-style main sink pairs with a more contemporary faucet. A stainless steel dishwasher sits to the left of the sink; a double trash pullout is located to the right.
Sink: Rohl
Sink: Rohl
The kitchen also has an undermount prep sink with a second dishwasher to the left so it doesn’t interfere when the family-size-refrigerator doors are open. Maria prepares lunches for her daughters at this prep sink area, with all the supplies she needs nearby.
This image also highlights the white quartz countertops with dark gray-blue veining used on the island and perimeter counters — it gives the couple the look of marble they wanted without the maintenance.
The Knoxes now enjoy spending lots of time in their updated kitchen. “It’s so pretty to look at, and the functionality of it really works for us,” Maria says.
More on Houzz
Your New Kitchen: 7 Tricky Questions You Didn’t Know You’d Ask
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
Browse millions of kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer in your area
Shop for kitchen products
This image also highlights the white quartz countertops with dark gray-blue veining used on the island and perimeter counters — it gives the couple the look of marble they wanted without the maintenance.
The Knoxes now enjoy spending lots of time in their updated kitchen. “It’s so pretty to look at, and the functionality of it really works for us,” Maria says.
More on Houzz
Your New Kitchen: 7 Tricky Questions You Didn’t Know You’d Ask
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
Browse millions of kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer in your area
Shop for kitchen products
Related Stories
Architecture
What is an Architect… And How Do I Work With One?
By Niki Bruce
Get expert advice on why you might need an architect to design your new home
Full Story
Living Rooms
Yes, You Can Do Without a Sofa in the Living Room!
This is how to create a more appealing and cosy atmosphere in your living room without the need for a sofa
Full Story
Most Popular
14 HDB Walk-in Wardrobes to Copy
In a housing typology that's not designed to have walk-in wardrobes, these designs are just the solution
Full Story
Most Popular
4-Room BTO Flat: 1 Floor Plan, 3 Different Looks
By Jasmine Goh
Think you're limited by your flat's cookie-cutter layout? These three homes – and their designers – show otherwise
Full Story
Working with Pros
What is an Interior Designer… And How Do I Work With One?
By Niki Bruce
Hear expert advice to understand the role an interior designer plays in your renovation process
Full Story
Bathroom Ideas
8 Sneaky Ways to Disguise HDB Piping
By Disa Tan
Though these bathroom pipes are in plain sight, they certainly aren't unsightly
Full Story
Interior Design
Golden Rules of Interior Design Everyone Should Know
There are guidelines will stand you in good stead in your renovation or decorating project
Full Story
Kitchen Guides
The Key Measurements You Need to Know to Design Your Kitchen
Understanding spatial relationships, building dimensions and work zones will help you get the ideal kitchen setup
Full Story
Most Popular
Why Build a Platform Bed
Need more reasons to ask your designer to custom-build a platform bed for your room? Here are six
Full Story
Working with Pros
What is a Renovation Contractor… And How Do I Work With One?
By Niki Bruce
Get expert advice on why you might need to work with a renovation contractor for your new home
Full Story
Another example of why dark kitchens are terrible....who wants to awake to that every morning. New kitchen is bright and fresh, although the whole open shelves near the stove doesn't make sense to me as the grease will cover things if you actually use your kitchen. Also find farmhouse sinks over used/not that attractive and used in kitchens that they don't really apply to. Also two sinks on one island and 2 dishwashers for a family of 4??? Having said that really like the new kitchen island/seating feature.....very attractive and functional.
I wish I had room for 2 dishwashers. I love to cook. With the way dishwashers these days clean, I can virtually put anything in mine and it comes clean including the ceramic part of my crock pot and all my stainless steel pots and pans. I am just amazed that I can take a pot encrusted with with whatever soup or sauce I made and just put it in the dishwasher. Comes out absolutely spot free every time. I also like putting glasses, especially wine glasses in my dishwasher. Not a water spot to be had.
If you have the space, go for it.
What a great transformation! Love everything about it! I've never seen an L shaped island with banquette seating before. Great use of space! Kudos to everyone involved!