Bright, Updated Kitchen With Personality

This Monroe, Wisconsin kitchen had good bones and a functional footprint, but the finishes were ready for an update. Dark green countertops, dated cabinet fronts and hardware, heavy window treatments, and older lighting made the room feel darker and busier than it needed to be.

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Our goal was to create a kitchen that felt bright, clean and updated without stripping away the personality found throughout the rest of the home. The result is a fresh white kitchen layered with warm metals, natural wood tones and just enough color to make it feel anything but basic.

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The Before

The existing kitchen had plenty of cabinetry and natural light, but several dated elements were competing with both. Green countertops wrapped the work surfaces, the cabinetry and hardware needed updating, and a scalloped valance visually closed in the sink area. Buffalo-check curtains and the existing ceiling fan added even more visual weight around the windows.

Rather than simply making everything white, we wanted to brighten the foundation of the kitchen while bringing in a few unexpected details that connected it to the colorful style used throughout the rest of the home.

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The Design

A lighter palette completely changed the way this kitchen feels. Crisp white shaker-style cabinetry and light quartz countertops created a fresh foundation, while a simple subway tile backsplash kept the space classic and easy to live with. The updated flooring continued the lighter feel underfoot. We used mixed finishes to keep the kitchen from feeling too sterile. A matte black faucet adds contrast at the sink, while warm brass cabinet hardware and lighting introduce warmth. 

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And then came one of our favorite details: the green glass lighting. Instead of playing it completely safe in an otherwise neutral kitchen, the green glass fixtures bring in a subtle pop of color and a little personality. They're a small detail that helps connect the kitchen to the more colorful living spaces throughout the home. Simple neutral window treatments finish the windows without covering up all of that natural light.

What We Updated

• White shaker-style cabinetry

• Light quartz countertops

• Subway tile backsplash

• Updated cabinet hardware

• Matte black kitchen faucet

• Stainless steel appliances

• New kitchen flooring

• Updated window treatments

• Green glass and brass lighting

• Updated ceiling fixture

• Styling and finishing details

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The Finished Space

The finished kitchen feels dramatically brighter and more open while still working within the home's existing footprint. Removing the visually heavy elements around the windows allows the natural light to become part of the design, while the combination of white cabinetry, light countertops and backsplash creates a clean backdrop.

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Warm brass, black accents, wood window trim and green glass lighting keep the space from becoming an all-white kitchen without personality.

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It's a great example of how thoughtful material selections can completely change the way an existing kitchen looks and feels—without needing to reinvent the entire layout.

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Ready to Update Your Kitchen?

Whether you're planning a complete kitchen remodel or need help determining which updates will make the biggest impact, Edge Interiors can help bring the entire design together. We provide kitchen design, material and finish selections, space planning, sourcing and full-service interior design for homeowners in Monroe, Janesville and throughout Southern Wisconsin.

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From the first selections to the final styling, our goal is to create a kitchen that feels beautiful, functional and uniquely yours.