Designer Stephanie Pérez of Stephanie Pérez Studio wanted to transform her '80s-built apartment into a functional home that she loved. As the first step in a full-house renovation, the kitchen was transformed into a modern, yet whimsical design that felt lived-in.
“The apartment had a small galley kitchen with outdated appliances and fixtures. The dining room was adjacent to the kitchen but separated by a wall,” Perez says.[The kitchen] Lack of counter space, storage, and overall functionality [while] Considering that the kitchen is barely usable, the dining room is a large space and didn't seem practical for hosting guests.”
After moving in with their 2-week-old baby, Pérez and her husband realized the space wasn't suitable for their growing family. “We both love to cook,” she says. “We immediately started the demolition process. Our goal was to knock down the wall separating the dining room from the kitchen and redirect most of the space toward a functional, beautiful kitchen and create a cozy dining nook.”
A self-taught interior designer, Pérez says her inspiration and signature lifestyle come from her upbringing and Latin American roots. “My parents are from Colombia and came to New York in the late '80s,” she says. “I grew up visiting New York every year and noticed how simple yet cozy my grandparents and relatives lived in their Spanish-style homes. I've also been fortunate to visit many parts of Europe and am drawn to the old-world aesthetic of mixing vintage and heirloom antiques to create a comfortable, long-lasting home.”
In the kitchen, the cabinets were painted Sherwin-Williams Cream, the paneling and trim were White Flower, and the ceiling and banquette were Benjamin Moore Simply White. The walls are covered in a textured, warm linen wallpaper by Schumacher.
Classic checkerboard floors have been common in European kitchens and foyers for centuries. “I always find different ways to incorporate them into my projects, but I knew I wanted a natural stone floor that would be the focal point of the kitchen,” says Pérez.
She combined off-white limestone and moss-green marble to create a striking look: “These will age and patina over time, telling the story of my family and those who will live here after us,” Pérez says.
She chose marble countertops and felt that the Zélige backsplash would match both the countertops and the natural stone of the floor.
Another pop of color is found on the built-in chaise lounge. “I'm not afraid to use color in my projects, especially blue and green. After finding an antique English farmhouse table, I wanted to match it with classic striped bench cushions on a robin's egg blue base,” she says. “I layered this with green and vintage red suzani cushions. Red is my favorite accent color and is used intentionally throughout the home. I think if used right, a bright pop of red can enhance any space and be more pleasing to the eye than you might first think.”
This kitchen design is packed with color and personality, including a green-and-white checked floor, a built-in banquette, and a custom kitchen island made by the designer and homeowner's father-in-law. Baskets hanging in the dining area were collected by the designer and homeowner from her travels over the years.
She used Sunbrella fabric for the cushions, which is durable and water- and stain-repellent, and added a custom scalloped skirt for a “whimsical touch” and “the perfect finishing touch.”
The vintage baskets hanging above the chaise are part of a collection she has collected from her travels and antique shops. “Baskets are great because they remind me of good times,” she says. [them] “It can be incorporated into your design in a meaningful way,” Perez says, “and it's also a great way to add another layer of texture and interest to a room. I believe this is the foundation of great design: creating a personal space filled with memories, pieces, and collections that truly mean something to you.”
She spent hours searching for the perfect piece of furniture for her kitchen island, but many just didn't have the style, size, or height that she needed. “My father-in-law is a skilled carpenter with over 40 years of experience, and he built the island, leaving us with a wonderful heirloom piece that would serve as the foundation for the space,” Perez says. “We stained it a dark walnut color to add warmth and character and neutralize the white, then paired it with a Carrara marble countertop to match the surroundings and coordinate with the rest of the kitchen.”
There are pros and cons to both designing a space in your own home and one for a client, she says. “As designers, our ideal client is someone who completely trusts our vision and gives us the opportunity to stretch their imagination and step out of their comfort zone to provide them with a unique home,” says Pérez. “Being able to design your own space gives instant gratification and empowerment, but it can also be difficult because there are so many options that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes it's easier to let someone else make the decisions for you!”
“I like the overall lived-in feel and the comfortable space.”
Stephanie Perez
The family treats the space “more like a living room than a functional kitchen.”
“I love the overall lived-in, inviting feel of the space,” says Pérez. “I love being here every day, whether it's cooking, lying on a bench with my son, making cappuccinos on Saturday mornings, or working on design projects late into the night.”
The dining banquette, with its natural light and vintage baskets, has become a favorite of her 16-month-old son and his goldendoodle. The two “gazing out the big windows and taking turns warning us of the evil mailman,” she says. “He often plays under the island as a hiding spot while my husband and I cook, make coffee, or listen to music.”
team
designer
Stephanie Perez O'Boyle
Stephanie Perez Studio, Rai
carpenter
William Thomas Woodworking
Holly, Pennsylvania
Tile Contractor
Luis Pérez, All Homestyle
Norwalk, Connecticut
Upholstery
Interior decoration by Paul
Port Chester
stylist
Lucy Banman
San Francisco, California
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