More than two years into this renovation, we’re finally starting to make progress on the biggest transformation of all: the kitchen. We’ve got a lot to discuss, so settle in and find out what we’ve got in store!
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Before
You may remember the tiny, closed off kitchen that had no business being in a 21st century 2700sq ft house.
Especially when there was plenty of space to utilize around it, like this dining area…
And this seating area on the other side (the second “living room” in this house).
Here’s the original floor plan to give you a better sense of what we were working with. We spent too many hours to count brainstorming ideas and drawing up new plans to reconfigure the kitchen layout within the existing footprint. It was a true exercise in futility and nothing felt right.
Then one day, it clicked—what if we relocate the kitchen to the other side of the room?
Yes, this would cost us more in labor, but we could double the size of the kitchen and the difference would be night and day. This was the only solution, and a project we were finally excited to get started on.
Inspiration
I’ve been dreaming about this traditional Spanish style kitchen in my head for years. Think stained wood beam + plank ceilings, terracotta tile floors, slate blue cabinetry, DIY plaster range hood, hand painted wall tile, mixed metals and dark wood accents.
via Park & Oak, Studio McGee
As I’ve refined the design details over the last several months, not much has really changed with the exception of the cabinet color. While I do love the slate blue, I keep getting pulled back to olive green. Green is my true love and the heart wants what it wants.
The olive color I’m picturing would be muted with a lot of brown/gray undertones—perhaps something like BM Southern Vine from my olive green paint color roundup?
Let me know in the comments if you’re team blue or green!
The Design Plan
Remember the original floor plan? Not anymore…
The three small arched windows felt too high and awkward before, but with a row of cabinetry underneath to balance them out, they’ll feel like an intentional design feature.
There’s plenty of space for an island in the center of the room, and just enough room for a 36″ stove and custom range hood.
And here’s AI’s version of a rendering… you’ll have to use your imagination here because most of it is inaccurate, but it’s the best I could get it to do…
I’ll share more about the banquette dining nook and seating area in another post (still working out those details!) but I managed to get a (very rough) mockup for ya:
Progress
After deciding to completely relocate the kitchen, we gutted the old kitchen and began to map out the new footprint.
Lucas skim coated the walls in preparation for plaster, and began the process of installing the DIY ceiling beam planks.
Last week we tried a new product called Moroccan Clay on the walls. It’s a plaster similar to roman clay that creates subtle movement and texture you’d find in a traditional European kitchen (you can see the finished color around the windows):
You’ll noticed we also added an archway at the entrance of the room to create a place for the ceiling beams to end.
The plaster walls will be sealed this week, and then we can finish the ceiling!
Design Details
As always, the goal with this project is to create a custom, thoughtful and well-designed space on the smallest possible budget. This means lots of DIY, many hours of searching and sourcing products, and being intentional about where to splurge.
Cabinetry
For this project, we considered building our own cabinet boxes and ordering the drawers/doors like we did last time for the Hacienda Hideaway. I knew I wanted v-groove style doors, and we were prepared to DIY our own like we did in our laundry room and jack & jill bath. Ultimately, we decided to pay a little more for custom RTA cabinets to ensure a smoother, faster install.
We reached out to a few companies and chose the Cabinet Joint, as they were able to accommodate our request to make custom v-groove doors. The process has taken a lot longer than anticipated, and we’re still waiting to get the order in after 4+ months of back and forth. Here the layout we landed on for the main appliance wall:
A full-height cabinet on the far left will house small appliances, extending from the countertop to the ceiling. A 36″ range will sit in the center, with a 36″ refrigerator on the right integrated with matching panels.
The long wall under the arched windows will have a bank of lower cabinets only. The tile backsplash will serve as a focal point spanning across the entire wall, and I’m picturing a brass pot rail to display copper pots and bring in those warmer tones.
And finally, the island will contain the sink and panel-ready dishwasher.
I couldn’t find any close examples of the cabinet color/style I have in mind, so I had AI mock up a visual of it along with the backsplash tile and range…
The large range hood will be a DIY, with rounded edges and a Moroccan Clay plaster finish to match the rest of the walls.
The island cabinets will be dark stained oak in the same v-groove style to contrast with the painted perimeter cabinets.
The Coffee Nook
Even after doubling the size of the kitchen, there wasn’t a great spot for the microwave, and we also wanted a dedicated beverage/coffee station. I had another a-ha moment to build out a coffee nook in the unused hall closet next to the kitchen entrance:
We’ve opened up the walls around it and now it’s prepped for cabinets and tile (this is looking at it from the other side, and the kitchen entrance is to the left):
Still working on the exact design, but I’m thinking about trying one of these kits to arch to the opening. We’re using the same cabinetry and tile as the rest of the kitchen, and will add open shelving for cups, supplies, etc.
Here’s the sketch of the cabinet setup:
We opted for a microwave drawer, which I’m excited to try! Speaking of appliances…
Appliances
I decided to use ZLINE for all of the appliances in this kitchen. We have them in our previous Hacienda Hideaway kitchen, and they’ve held up beautifully (durability + ease of use is key in a rental!) They’re also one of the more affordable brands that offer a variety of finishes + hardware color options.
I’ve linked them all on my Lowe’s storefront, and they’re also currently all on sale (up to 30% off!)
Tile + Countertops
Tile is the real focal point of a Spanish-style kitchen. The floor tile was an easy choice for me—do these look familiar to anyone?
It’s the same cobblestone-look flooring I used in the primary bathroom, but in a reddish-brown color to resemble terracotta (the color is called ‘Coffee’). I initially looked into real terracotta tile, but everything I loved was way out of budget and high maintenance. This tile is porcelain so it’s extremely durable, but it has a really rustic and traditional look.
The search for backsplash tile proved to be more difficult, and I’ve spent the better part of a year trying to find something with an authentic, handmade feel. As always, budget has been the biggest hurdle, and I even went down the path of figuring out how to hand paint my own tiles. As fun as that sounds (one day!) we don’t have the luxury of time, so instead I tracked down this handmade talavera tile:
At $2.20 per 4×4″ tile it isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s the best deal on talavera I could find, and much more affordable than other handmade options. The backsplash will stretch across the entire back wall, under the range and around the patio doors, making it an integral part of the overall kitchen design. Some things are just worth spending more on, and this is one of those!
For the countertops, I love the rich look of a honed soapstone, but it’s not exactly the smartest or most cost-effective option for a high traffic rental. In looking for similar alternatives, I found this Silestone quartz in a suede finish that looks interesting.
If anyone knows of any other similar low maintenance stone options, please share!
Fixtures + Hardware
Metal selection has been a tricky one for this space, and I’ve been wavering back and forth. As much as I love unlacquered brass (and used it in our Hacienda kitchen), I’ve decided against it this time. Cost is the biggest factor, and the patina isn’t appreciated as much in a rental. I think nickel is too cool for this space, so I’m leaning towards copper/bronze for the faucet.
After spending no less than 20 hours searching every corner of the internet, the leading candidate is this oil rubbed bronze faucet, which is really more bronze (or even aged copper) than the typical black color of faucets labeled “ORB”. I almost went with a copper finish, but all of the options I found were a little too bright and shiny (and sadly, real copper is out of the budget!)
For the cabinet hardware, I’m sticking with brass to match the polished brass range accents. Regular polished brass feels too new for this kitchen, so I found a handful labeled ‘champagne bronze’ and ordered samples to compare. I’m really loving the look of these in person, which are more of a muted soft brass without the bright yellow tones.
Furniture + Accents
Much like the floor tile, the tarang counter stools were an instant yes as soon as they hit my radar. I’ve actually had them saved for a couple years and the price was lower then, but even at the current price they are a great deal for a handcrafted piece (and oh so charming!)
I spotted them on Pinterest with these gingham chair pads, and am loving the combo.
An old world European kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a lantern (or four) IMO, and I found these very reasonably priced wall lanterns. We’re installing one on the arched window wall by the patio doors, and another to the right of the fridge. Bonus: they have coordinating lantern pendants and I’m hanging two above the dining table.
And just for fun, here’s an idea of how the brass pot rail with copper pots and pans would look against the tile (this would be going on the window wall though, not above the stove):
Can you just imagine the warmth and old world charm of this kitchen already?? I can’t wait to watch it all come together.
Sources
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I know this was a lot to digest, so let me know if I missed anything! The design is always a work in progress, so if you have any thoughts or suggestions, I’d love to hear them below 🙂
Phyllis says
Wow- what a challenging project that shows a lot of planning before getting started. I’m having trouble with most of the links not working; can you check them to see if they work for you? Thanks. (example, link to stools)
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Phyllis! I just checked and they are working on my end, that’s strange. Here’s a direct link to the stools, hopefully this works! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1706914622/tarang-counter-chairs-reclaimed-wood-bar?utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&creatorid=20824678&source=aw&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=946733&utm_custom1=20824678&utm_term=0&awc=6220_1774287413_174f93decff215fcca7b88f677002e12
Janelle James says
This kitchen will be gorgeous, as is everything you touch! I normally wouldn’t give my opinion on what you do, but you did ask if we preferred green or blue for your kitchen cabinets.
As an interior decorator, high-end home flipper, and top 1% Airbnb host, I try to choose colors that have the broadest appeal. I love the color green, especially a dark, moody, brownish green, but my husband hates it. He is not an overly dramatic guy, but he says it makes him feel physically ill. I did some research and found that this is not uncommon.
When I googled his aversion to the color, I found this: ” Dark greens that lean towards olive, brown, or “muddy” tones are often perceived as less appealing, representing bile or rot, and have been used to evoke feelings of disgust. In studies regarding least-favorite colors, olive/dark green shades are often among the lowest-ranked. Pantone 448 C, known as “drab dark brown” or a “khaki green,” was specifically identified as the world’s most hated color and is used to deter consumers. In summary, green is generally well-liked, but dark or sickly shades can trigger aversion.”
After reading this, I realized that while I like a dark, moody green, my husband is not alone in his aversion.
Blue, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to trigger an aversion in the same way. I personally like both the blue and green versions of your kitchen, but for wider appeal, you may want to consider the blue. But again, you are so talented and everything you do is amazing. You are one of my favorite decorators.
Monica says
This is so interesting! Thanks for sharing…for what it’s worth, I am still team green!
Jenna Sue says
Hmm that is interesting! I’m familiar with color theory but I haven’t heard about aversions to green. To me it feels very grounded. Everyone will have differing opinions, and I’m glad the majority of folks are on team green 💚
Jen says
I absolutely love your posts and this one did not disappoint! Thank you for all the details and walking us through the process. Although the blue is gorgeous, I’m team green. Thank you for sharing!
Courtney says
I love the breakdown and how you brought the reader along for the ride as you figured out all of these pieces. It is going to look fantastic and I can’t wait to follow along. I wish I could copy and paste this entire design into my own home!
Linda says
Green light go!!😉Green!!💕
Cindy Roth says
For the counter, I had saved a recommendation from Erin of Kismet House. They wanted a soapstone look, but in granite. She posted about the one they used from Artistic Tile, called Galaxy Gray Honed Granite. She said it’s also sometimes called Silver Mist granite.
We used tile from Mexicantiles.com, but it looks like their similar version comes in higher, even with their bulk discount. They did package the tile extremely well and every single one was usable. As a fellow DIY renovator and short term vacation rental owner, I would worry about the renters banging the pots and pans against ceramic or clay tiles and cracking them, if you use the rail. Maybe just a little in moderation?
Jenna Sue says
Thanks for the stone rec, I’ll look that up! I also saw the talavera tiles on mexicantiles.com first, and was glad to see them a bit cheaper on Etsy. Will have to confirm their durability if I end up installing the pot rail.
Donna says
What a great job! I am such a blue girl but…. the green is the better choice for this space. Could you tell me where you get your kitchen runner rugs? I’d like to add some to my home.
Eleanor says
Love the GREEN cabinets!! Love your patience in finding what you love and what will work in the space.
Jenna Sue says
💚
Linda Grubbs says
Count me Team Green!!!!
Jenna Sue says
💚
Sarah says
I wanted a soapstone look for my kitchen remodel but budget and durability made it a non option. I used black mist granite in a leathered finish and i would 100% choose it again.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks for the rec, I will look that up!
Kari says
We are about to install soapstone. But did seriously consider honed black granite. Check out black mist, negresco, silver mist, galaxy grey–there are a bunch of different options, just depends on what your local warehouses stock. For us, the soapstone quotwas ed at $4200 and the granite at $2700, so it was significantly cheaper. And if sealed well, it is pretty much indestructible.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks so much for sharing that info! Someone else mentioned Black Mist too, but I’ll have to check out the others. Appreciate the help.
Julie says
I love our black leathered granite countertops, and they were super affordable and very durable. Some shops charge more to have the edge leathered, and some shops charge more just to fabricate granite (vs a softer quartz). I think our were the “black pearl” granite.
Gail says
You make it all look so easy! 🤩
Jenna Sue says
Ohh it’s felt like a ton of work already, and we’ve barely even started 🙃
Jeanine says
You have such great taste, but I feel like the kitchen will be dark. Have you thought about a lighter green for the cabinets like vert de terre? Maybe a tile with green as well as blue for the backsplash?
Jenna Sue says
I had light green cabinets in the last kitchen so trying not to repeat here! It won’t be a light and bright kitchen, but I kinda like the cozier feel.
Lorraine B says
Yellow Brick Home used a ceramic counter in their two flat, it looks great, might be an ootion
Jenna Sue says
Thank you, I’ll go check it out!
Karen says
Green baby! The green you’re showing is positively beautiful.
Jenna Sue says
yay! 💚
Emma Byer says
This is going to look amazing!!! I can’t wait to see it completed.