Before & After: A Designer Gave This Dated Oklahoma Kitchen a New Look That’ll Never Go Out of Style
Having an interior designer who’s up on all the latest industry trends is a nice thing. But even better? A designer with an eye toward the future — one who’s able to make renovations that will enhance the home’s resale value down the line.
Carissa Miller, cofounder and lead designer of CC + Mike Creative in Tulsa, Oklahoma, took that approach with a recent renovation of a 3,400-square-foot home in Oklahoma. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home felt dim and dated, and Miller believed that improvements in the kitchen in particular would appeal to future buyers. Issues in the room included low light, poor functionality, dated cabinetry, a lack of a focal point, and a color scheme that clashed with that of the adjacent living room.
“My goals were to increase the functionality and livability of the kitchen and living room spaces for my client while elevating the design cohesiveness between the two rooms,” Miller says. “We really wanted to bring light into the space since it felt dark and there wasn’t much lighting in the house. We also wanted to make the kitchen design more functional. Both of these changes increase home value.”
The kitchen originally had a long, galley design, with the sink at one end and the stove on the other. The refrigerator, located in the center, was so close to the island that, when open, no one could access the main walkway of the kitchen. Not only was this inconvenient, but the kitchen often felt crowded when more than one person was cooking. “These crowding and spatial constraints needed to be addressed in the redesign since the client has a large family and entertains regularly, especially in her kitchen,” Miller says.
The only solution was to completely gut the kitchen, reposition the appliances, and redesign the space for better flow and functionality. Her team also updated all fixtures and finishes in the kitchen. “The kitchen is the heart of the home, so focusing on changing these spaces to be more bright, open, and functional typically makes the property much more desirable,” she explains.
Grounded by new engineered-wood flooring in a warm mid-tone, the space now features white oak cabinets; brick walls and backsplashes that provide textural detail; globe pendant lights and sconces; and a large island with thick, white quartz countertops as well as ample seating.
All new appliances were installed as well. One in particular, the dramatic black-and-gold Hallman range, replaces the former fridge and creates the much-needed focal point when paired with oversized wall art above. Other highlights include an apron-front sink and a drink fridge, the latter of which creates a small bar area, perfect for entertaining. “Open shelving was used throughout the kitchen and bar area to highlight the beauty of the brick walls and backsplash,” Miller says.
When it came to the clashing color schemes of the kitchen and adjacent living room, Miller wanted to honor her client’s preferences while considering resale value. “Our client loves color, but we wanted to use it in a more purposeful way in the redesign — in the art, rugs, and pillows — rather than on the sofas, walls, and furniture,” she says. “You notice how the drastic shift is and how it helps the low lighting to paint the walls white and keep the furniture more neutral.”
Just another touch that future buyers will appreciate when the homeowners decided to part with their newly revamped house.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Before & After: A Designer Revamps a Dim Oklahoma Kitchen to Up Its Resale Value