When content creator and author Carissa Stanton (aka Block Your Body) bought a one-story home in Los Angeles in 1950, she loved its casual, “cozy bungalow feel.” What about the finish and materials? Some of these features did not fit into her style, especially in the culinary field. “The kitchen has green tiles and a green-toned floor,” says Stanton. “I love a pop of color, but I wanted to create something more neutral to keep the fun colors for things that can be easily switched out.”
Stanton liked the L-shaped kitchen in theory, but she didn't like where the appliances were placed or how the space was cut off from neighboring rooms. There was a cut-out window inside, but hello, bar stool seats! — The rest of the room felt a little disjointed in the floor plan. “The kitchen is also closed off from the living room and fireplace, and I wanted a more open feel,” she says. “I love being able to cook while talking to my guests and not feel left out.” After all, cooking simple but delicious meals and sharing them with friends is at the heart of the Brocc Your Body brand. The brand started as Stanton's Instagram page to share girls' night out recipes with her circle, and has now generated a devoted following and brand. new cookbook, Seriously So Good: Simple Recipes for a Balanced Life.
rear Stanton, who had lived in the house for about a month, was ready to make some changes. Naturally, as a recipe developer, the kitchen ranked at the top of her hit list, and she quickly decided to redo the floors, the living room fireplace, and even the bathroom. In February 2022, she hired her Preferred Home Builders for the entire renovation, essentially working as her own designer and sourcing her materials with the help of consultants at her local Pirch showroom. did. “The goal was to create a home that was comfortable, clean, and timeless,” says Stanton. “I wanted the kitchen to be beautiful, but I also wanted it to be functional.” To achieve that vision, she looked for materials that were chic but not too trendy, working against the bones of the home. Instead, I intended to cooperate.
Case in point: When it came to building the kitchen, we kept the overall layout the same in terms of footprint and cabinet setup, but swapped out the placement of the stove and sink, and added an interior window cut through the wall. To the refreshing peninsula. That way, her friends hanging out on barstools won't be staring at her back as she cooks, and at the giant stove and vents. “The stove was moved toward the back wall, which makes more sense,” says Stanton. “We also lowered the countertops and removed the edges and large wall that separated the kitchen and living room. It now feels like one big open space.” I also relocated the machine and moved it next to the sink so I could quickly put things in it. She has upgraded all her large appliances to her SMEG stainless steel suite.
Storage and functionality, especially cabinetry, played a big role in the redesign. Instead of choosing all the cupboards, she incorporated several drawers into her design plan for ingredients and utensils. “My pantry is very small and deep, so I made all the drawers pull out for easy access,” she says. “I have a lazy Susan in the corner cabinet. All the drawers in the cabinet are also very deep.”
Once the layout and appliances were set, it was time to select fixtures and finishes. While this is fun, it definitely consumes a lot of bandwidth. “It was my first time doing something like this and I did it myself, so my biggest challenge was finding the time to go pick out all the finishes and flooring and make the big decisions,” Stanton said. says. “It was difficult to do it alone.”
So what ultimately led her to choose honey gold natural wood cabinets paired with modern matte black Emtek knobs and pulls, and wide plank floors? A look into the home's DNA. “At Home Beach She wanted to keep true to the feel of the bungalow, so I thought light-colored wood would really embody what I was going for,” says Stanton. “I love wood cabinets, so I felt this finish would brighten up a space without being too faded. It's also timeless and won't look dated in five or 10 years.” think.”
For sinks, faucets and surfaces, Stanton looked for workhorses with quiet, luxurious style. The Blanco stainless steel sink comes with a number of accessories, including an over-the-sink strainer and cutting board, making prep work super easy. “We also have Brizo touchless kitchen faucets, so you don't have to worry about running the faucet with dirty hands,” says Stanton. “When I saw it on Pilch, I knew I had to try it!”
Matte porcelain countertops, especially Calacatta Oro's Magnifica Encore by Bedrossian Tile, have the look of marble without the hefty price tag. It is also much more durable and easier to maintain than natural stone. “You never have to worry about it getting dirty or cracking,” says Stanton. For a touch of luxury, the same slab was used to create a seamless backsplash and dramatic waterfall detail on the peninsula.
The reno of Stanton's kitchen and the rest of the work took about four months, but it was well worth the wait and the inconvenience of cooking only with an air fryer and grill during that time. She was so happy with the results that she now spends more time in the kitchen than ever before. “It's a cozy beach bungalow, but it also has so many luxurious touches that you won't want to leave the house,” says Stanton. “My kitchen is also very functional, which makes my job a lot easier.”
