Kitchen design should be bright, airy, and inviting, and this cooking space delivers on all three. Interior designer Emily Henderson's denim blue and sun-filled kitchen redesign was completed a few years ago, but the style still serves her family's daily needs.
Emily shared some of the kitchen décor on Instagram that still makes her smile to this day. From beautiful custom cabinetry to a spacious skylight, this space truly has it all, so it's hard to narrow down our favorite features. Here are Emily's top eight favorites and why they're timeless.
Emily's favorite kitchen feature
Emily's kitchen is a treasure trove of clever storage solutions and sleek design that's both eye-catching and functional – here are eight of her favourite features.
1. Antique kitchen island
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
The kitchen countertops are made of low veined white marble, while the kitchen island is
Instead, Emily and the ARCIFORM design team who helped with the renovation chose oversized antique cabinets that were one-of-a-kind and professionally stained and sealed before blending into the kitchen.
“There's an amazing vintage thrift store that I love south of Portland called Aurora Mills, and the owner, Brittney, knew I was looking for a big island and sent me a photo of this island. She immediately said yes, which was great because it's such an amazing island,” Emily says.
She added that it has held up well despite “heavy use” by her family. While painting, the wood specialist also added an overhang to the island to make room for bar stools, a detail that blends beautifully with the original design.
2. Convenient location of the dishwasher
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
Another of Emily's favorite features is the conveniently located dishwasher. When designing this kitchen, the designer thought first and foremost about functionality. She chose to install the dishwasher right next to the cabinets that store the family's everyday plates and bowls. This makes it a streamlined and easy process when it's time to unload dishes from the dishwasher. What's even better is that the dishwasher is hidden in the custom cabinetry, tucked discreetly to the left of the sink, as seen in the photo above.
3. Light Blue Tile by Pratt + Larson
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
The kitchen's color scheme is a total show-stealer, with Pratt & Larson denim blue tile taking center stage. Emily says it's no secret that she loves the color blue. “Blue is now my whole brand,” she adds. And when it came to deciding on specific hues for the kitchen's backsplash and wall finishes, she wanted it all to be her own.
“I initially brought my favorite jeans to Pratt & Larson to match the color of the tile, but they had so many color options that they already had almost the same color,” she says.
When it came to matching the rest of the kitchen's color scheme to this beautiful shade of blue, “it was a no-brainer,” says Emily.
“Blue, wood and brass always go together so it all feels very natural to the eye. Because the kitchen opens into the living room, it brings in other blue tones there and blends perfectly,” she says.
Cloe 5″ x 5″ Ceramic Tile
Reine 3″ x 12″ Ceramic Tile
Makoto 18 Piece – Matte Hexagonal Porcelain Tile
4. Custom soft-close cabinets
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
Another favorite part of Emily's kitchen is Unique Kitchen & Bath's full collection of custom soft-close cabinetry. The function-driven drawers quietly close instead of slamming, even when the kitchen is in heavy use. The cabinetry was also incorporated into the home bar design, another favorite feature of Emily's kitchen.
“Our family loves lots of drinks and pebble ice, so it made sense to have a dedicated space for both. But it's certainly luxurious, and it's a great way to display all the beautiful glassware on the shelves – a real treat for the eyes,” says Emily.
5. Panel-compatible refrigerator and pebble ice maker
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
As for the ice maker, it's on our list of favorite features, right up there with the panel-compatible refrigerator. This gorgeous full-size refrigerator is a welcome addition to any kitchen, looking more like a custom pantry than a large appliance. The wooden appliances and built-in placement make this a design detail to aspire to.
6. Tall skylights
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
Skylights are a welcome addition to any space, and they shine brightly in Emily's kitchen, adding height and light to an already airy space. Perfectly illuminating the countertops and kitchen island, the natural light makes the room even more functional than before. It's clear why skylights are on Emily's favorites list.
7. Clever drawers for storing cookware
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
Emily took the functionality of her kitchen a step further by incorporating a dedicated utensil drawer into the cabinets. Fitted into the bottom of the cabinet, the drawer pulls out to reveal three compartments that are perfectly sized for storing kitchen utensils like spoons and spatulas.
“I'm a function-first designer, especially since having kids. They have really made me rethink everything. I love planning what goes into my drawers and cupboards, but I've been lucky enough to not have to compromise too much on aesthetics,” says Emily.
8. Sophisticated storage shelves
(Image courtesy of Caitlin Green / Emily Henderson Design)
The final item on Emily's favorites list is a small but brilliant detail: a storage shelf tucked in a corner and lined with eye-catching gold railings. Mirroring the design of the kitchen's bar area, this small storage solution is a genius hack for stashing salt and pepper shakers or personalized decorative details.
“I love beautiful oil pots, special salt and pepper shakers, fun little pieces of art, and little table lamps. These kinds of decorative pieces make a kitchen unique and personal,” says Emily.
Emily's kitchen is a design inspiration, from the color scheme to the clever storage fixtures. We asked Emily what one element of her kitchen would be her favorite, and here's her answer:
“That's too difficult. There are so many factors that go into deciding on a design element that I don't think I could pick a favorite one. I just feel incredibly lucky to be able to call it my own,” she says.
