Samantha’s Light, Bright Kitchen Remodel
Who cooks and eats here: Samantha, Todd, and Elin Mae Wennerstrom
Where: Santa Barbara, California
Rent or Own? Own
Samantha, Todd, and baby Elin share a newly remodeled, bright and airy kitchen in Santa Barbara, California. Samantha’s relaxed and timeless fashion sensibility seems to be perfectly echoed in this space — where the couple recently installed open shelving, marble countertops, and new appliances. This little family spends a lot of time entertaining and cooking, so this space holds special significance.
Plus, it’s always fun to see how a style maven like Samantha dresses her space!
Samantha and Todd have shared their home for about six years. During this period, Samantha fantasized about redoing the kitchen into a domestic haven where she could try out baby-friendly recipes, entertain friends, and spend quality family time, all together. When Todd gave his wife a piece of cabinetry for her Christmas present last year, she was confused, then overjoyed that they were about to make that daydream a reality.
It took the summer to do, while Samantha was six months pregnant, and they couldn’t be happier with the results. In fact, when I asked if there was anything she would have done differently, Samantha said, “I have to say I love everything about it. However one thing I can never find a spot for is our KitchenAid mixer. I wish we would have built a special cabinet just for it.” That’s a pretty stellar attitude towards this bright, fresh space.
The most striking aspect of this kitchen is the open shelving, with Samantha’s ever-evolving collection of dishware, pottery made by her brother, fresh produce, and a few favorite cookbooks. The shelves are styled in a relaxed, non-cluttered fashion I find so refreshing. Everything has its place, but there is a lot of airiness around all the treasures, both functional and decorative.
The matte marble countertops are exquisite. They absorb light in the loveliest way, and Samantha often uses the surface as a background for her beauty posts. The marble gives the whole space a sophisticated elegance and a pop of luxury in an otherwise simple, accessible kitchen.
Resources of Note
- Stove: GE Cafe
- Fridge: A hand-me-down Viking from my dad
- Flooring: Eleganza Tiles
- Contractor: Todd Wennerstrom
- Pottery: Some pieces are handmade by my brother, and the others are a mix of vintage finds, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware
- Sink: Kohler
- Faucet: Mirabell
- Marble countertops: Matte marble
- Drawer separators: Rev-a-shelf
Visit Samantha’s lifestyle blog: Could I Have That?
Visit Todd’s site: Todd Wennerstrom
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