This Oakland, California kitchen renovation was centered on functionality. “The clients live in this home their two children. When they reached out, their top priority was to open up the kitchen to an unused breakfast room as well as the exterior,” says Jessica Mason of Studio June. “The overall goal was to create a functional kitchen for a busy family that likes to cook and entertain. They are not fussy and wanted the kitchen to feel lived in and in keeping with the character of the home.”
The home was originally built in 1914, and the layout reflected that. Most of the budget went to opening up the space, which meant removing a structural wall to allow for a more expansive layout. “Because of this, the client wanted to re-use the existing white cabinetry but make the room feel warm and unique,” the designer explains, admitting this posed a slight aesthetic hurdle. “The biggest design challenge was to create a warm, lived in kitchen while keeping the existing white cabinetry. We addressed this by introducing deep, rich colors and textures.”
Walking into the new kitchen, you’re greeted by a beautiful emerald green tile from Fireclay. “We love how this tile created a strong focal point in the room,” Jessica says. “There is a custom wood island that brings another layer of texture to contrast the existing white cabinetry. We kept the original dark stained wood floors to help ground the space and maintain consistency throughout the first floor of the home. On the opposite side of the kitchen, we repurposed a storage closet under a stair and transformed into a jewel box coffee station that is used daily. It is one of our favorite moments in the kitchen.” And thanks to a new accordion window and French doors, the space is flooded with an abundance of natural light.
“The clients’ style is characterized by warmth, inviting charm, timeless details and a curated feel,” the designer explains. “They have a passion for sourcing vintage pieces and filling their home with treasures from their travels. Now, the emerald green tile, complemented by a custom wood island and black honed granite countertops, bring a sense of warmth and sophistication to the space. This rich color palette extends to the coffee nook where custom wood cabinetry and deep brown tile further enhance the cozy and inviting atmosphere.”
She says the project took about a year to complete from the initial design and permits to construction. “The clients were happy to move back into their kitchen when the renovation was complete and are delighted with how it turned out. They particularly appreciate the natural light, the warmth, and the functional layout that perfectly suits their busy family life.”
