Milwaukie, Oregon, is a charming suburb just outside Portland, offering a slower pace without sacrificing easy access to the city. But for one young family, it was the wooded setting of their 1940s home that made the location especially appealing. “Nestled in a forest, this 1940s home in particular truly feels like its own little pocket of heaven,” says interior designer Candice Cervantes of El Studio Design. “Milwaukie is a lovely place for a young family, but the house itself had some challenges.”

The homeowners reached out to Candice’s firm, El Studio Design, to rethink the kitchen, improving both its form and function. “With two young children, their first priority was opening up the space and bringing in more natural light, making it easier to cook, gather, and keep an eye on the kids,” she notes. “Durability was equally important, so every selection needed to stand up to the demands of everyday family life.”

Before the renovation, the kitchen felt rooted in another era, with orange-toned wood cabinetry, black granite countertops, warm wood flooring, low ceilings, and heavy upper cabinets that made the space feel dark and closed in. “A built-in desk tucked between the cabinets had become storage for small appliances, and the lighting lacked balance, leaving some areas overly bright while others felt dim,” the designer recalls. “The goal was to create a bright and airy kitchen and dining space that would elevate their lifestyle while creating a warm, timeless backdrop for family life.”

To achieve that vision, the team took the space down to the studs, with a focus on strengthening “the connection to the outdoors while creating a more uplifting and functional space,” Candice says. A wall separating the kitchen and dining area from the living room came down, allowing natural light to travel throughout the newly open floor plan. “Creamy, custom cabinetry enhances the sense of airiness, while rich wood tones on the island and furnishings anchor the palette,” she adds. At the center, an oversized island does more than provide a natural gathering place: Push-latch cabinets concealed behind the bar stools offer discreet storage for lesser-used small appliances.

Wide-plank European oak flooring now runs throughout the space, creating a warm, cohesive foundation. “A generously sized pantry took the place of the existing built-in desk, providing storage that better suits the family’s needs,” Candice explains. “To bring in fresh air and help blur the line between indoors and out, a charming white oak Dutch door quickly became one of our favorite features of the remodel.”

Natural materials were central to the aesthetic, but with two young children, practicality mattered just as much. The clients loved the look of natural stone, so Candice selected honed quartz for the countertops, capturing a similar softness without the maintenance concerns. Handmade Zellige tile from Zia Tile brings another layer of texture and subtle imperfection. “There is something uniquely special about a craft that’s been around for a thousand years that can still be applied to design today,” Candice shares. “Because every tile is one of a kind and made from organic materials, we knew this element would lend a subtle variation and depth to the palette to ensure the neutral palette still felt layered and full of character.” Unlacquered brass hardware from Rejuvenation will develop a natural patina over time, adding to the kitchen’s warm, lived-in look.

The lighting plan was considered just as carefully, layering task and ambient sources throughout the room. “We reconfigured the plan with a mixture of sconces, pendants, a chandelier, and new can lights so the space felt balanced,” she explains. “Everything on dimmers, of course!” While most of the space is neutral, the Huey sconces flanking the hood are a rich burgundy that offer a pop of color and touch of surprise. 

Design began in the winter of 2025, and by spring 2026, the family was settling into a kitchen that feels entirely different from the one they started with. The finished space proves that family-friendly design doesn’t have to sacrifice character for practicality.