White kitchens have dominated this market for a long time, and while they're not going anywhere, some homeowners are dipping their toes into more colorful waters. Some people jump in headfirst and go all-in.
Whether it's the residual boredom of the pandemic, a backlash against minimalism, or a logical extension of the entertaining kitchen, social media is full of colorful images of everything from tiles to appliances to fixtures (like purple kitchen faucets). It's full of inspiration.
“We've seen a significant increase in customers wanting to add more color to their kitchens,” said Heather Fox, a Twin Cities designer and co-founder of Fox Homes. “During the pandemic, as we all spent more time at home, people realized how their home should reflect and nurture them, rather than just keeping everything neutral and safe. ”
Ashley Mock, president of the Minnesota National Kitchen Bath Association (NKBA) chapter, agreed. “Color has been trending in kitchens for the past few years. At the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.” [in Las Vegas] “A few weeks ago, it was clear that color was still at the forefront of design for homeowners who value boldness,” she said.
From pale pink to mint green Gucci kitchens, here's how local designers and homeowners are taking the plunge.
in pink
Kate Ahrens Peters' latest kitchen remodel is her most colorful and confident yet. Four years ago, the founder of the popular blog Wit & Delight moved with her husband and her two children into her 1956 boardwalk in the Merriam Park District of St. Paul. The house already had a lot of color, including a bright coral living room and a yellow study, and Ahrendts-Peters planned to paint them white.
But after a few months of living in the vibrant room, she had an epiphany. The color gave her a good mood. “It changed my perspective on what color can bring to a space,” she said.
So when it came time to update the kitchen, Ahrens Peters followed his instincts and heart and replaced the existing red oak paneling with pink cabinets, a blue cooktop, an extroverted Calacatta Viola marble countertop, and a dressy Furniture style handles are lined up.
She completed the island and coffee bar space using Instagram-favorite Farrow and Ball Hague Blue. “It's so beautiful,” Allens-Peters says. “This is an attempt to bring to the forefront what I like.”
gucci kitchen
“People are embracing individualism now, and color can help them make their home look and feel the way they want it to look and feel,” said Prospect Refuge designer Victoria Sass.
That's certainly true for Minneapolis residents Andrea Ravitch and Matthew Arriola, who wanted to remodel the white kitchen of their 1964 Bryn Mawr mansion into a space that better reflected their lifestyles and tastes. Hired. “My Pinterest boards were all over the place. There was home decor, art, fashion, music. Somehow Victoria was able to make sense of it all,” Ravitch said.
Knowing how much Ravitch loves Gucci, Sass checked out their collection and took inspiration from the Gucci Spring/Summer 2020 runway show. A kaleidoscope of mint, red, lavender and gold.
“Fashion can be a good source of information on how to combine colors,” Sass explained.
She dyed the kitchen cabinets and backsplash in shades of red and green (reminiscent of the avocado green and terra cotta that were popular when the house was built), creating a sophisticated color-block effect. Next, we added white countertops and wood accents to give her eyes a place to rest.
“When I look at something beautiful and eclectic, it makes me feel calm, content, and really happy, and that's what my kitchen does,” Ravitch said.
Yes, I am a tree (house)
For a cliffside home in Plymouth's Medicine Lake, Heather Fox introduced geometric tiles that her client fell in love with. She pulled blue and peach from the cabinet and range hood tiles. Would you use a matte finish for a more tranquil effect? And in the adjoining dining corner, the banquette had yellow on it.
This style is perfect for homes from the 1960s, when the interiors were gorgeous. “But older homes also had color, often in muted tones like sage and burgundy,” Fox added. “Therefore, there's no reason why everyone, no matter their age, can't incorporate more color into their homes.”
It's easy to be green
The lush greenery in the kitchen of Luck, Wisconsin is called arugula green (Benjamin Moore), a lakeside retreat where extended families gather to enjoy nature, each other, and perhaps a fresh summer salad. It fits well.
Gabriela Lavoie, senior designer at Martha O'Hara Interiors, said the color resonated with the owner, who lives full-time in Chile. She says, “South America is full of color. Here in the Midwest, color helps warm a space, especially during the long winters.”
go back to the past
Another interpretation of green that proves its versatility is a house in Minneapolis built in 1922. The longtime owners wanted an old-world, English countryside look and feel for the heart of the home.
Mark Peterson, lead designer and owner of design-build firm MA Peterson, said the theme and colors were the result of many conversations with interior designer Wendy Boyer. “There are many colors that could be used, including ocher and red, but the homeowner seemed to like this green,” he said.
With evocative details such as slightly irregular hand-tiled walls, wood and zinc countertops, and period-appropriate lighting, the kitchen has the warm, historic feel the client was hoping for. Fully equipped with modern facilities.
According to Peterson, the kitchen evokes an incredible sense of nostalgia. “It's like doing something to you.”
Laurie Junker is a Twin Cities-based freelance writer specializing in home design and architecture.
