This kitchen reno uses the perfect minimalist palette - 'these two colors create a feeling of space'

Raluca Racasan
·5 min read
7
Light kitchen with very tall ceiling and arched entryway.
Light kitchen with very tall ceiling and arched entryway.

It’s rare that one finds a contemporary build that is not just a rectangular box. On this occasion, a 5,900 square-foot home in Austin featured beautifully high vaulted ceilings and archways, with natural light pouring in. Decorated in a Spanish Revival style and featuring a lot of wood, dated lighting, and furnishings, it needed a redesign that would not only respect the building’s impressive bones but emphasize them too. The challenge was that the redesign needed to make a difference, but not so much that it would compete with the architecture of the space.

The homeowners needed the property to be a comfortable retreat, and while positioned in the Hill Country, to embody a spirited urban feel that could accommodate their international art collection seamlessly. The space was transformed through the use of some subtle, but impactful changes: light colors that enhance the natural brightness of the rooms, subtle patterns, and furniture volumes that nod to the architecture of the space, creating a completely new atmosphere that exudes calm, and a feeling of timeless aesthetic suitable for a modern home.

The impressive new kitchen is an ode to the building’s architecture

white dated kitchen with metro tiles
white dated kitchen with metro tiles

The most impressive transformation in the house was the kitchen. Previously a dark space with dated cabinets, metro tiles, and tired hardware, it did not stand out or make use of the incredible potential the tall ceilings and arches that were seen throughout the house gave. ‘The home, originally built in 2012, already had great bones including vaulted ceilings, expansive arched openings, and a moderately open floor plan, but it needed more character and detailing,’ Laura Britt, Britt Design Group, tells me of the space where now a transformed kitchen is filled with light,  looks imposing and is aligned with the expectation one gets from entering such an impressive space.

The trick is in the color palette

kitchen with oak island, white marble top, and sage tall cabinets
kitchen with oak island, white marble top, and sage tall cabinets

Tall kitchen cabinets stretch out all the way to the ceiling, showcasing their impressive height. The choice of clean white emphasizes the generosity of the space and bounces off the natural light to create a feeling of openness and brightness. However, the carefully selected accents of color and texture palette ensure the space does not lack warmth - and in fact, this clever minimalist color pairing actually increases the feeling of space. ‘The team updated the kitchen with a vivid, yet durable, Cambria countertop which coordinated beautifully with the custom soft sage color cabinetry. French white oak provides warmth to the space using ribbed and paneled detailing for depth and texture,’ explains Laura.

kitchen with tall light sage cabinets, oak island with marble worktop
kitchen with tall light sage cabinets, oak island with marble worktop

The symmetry of the kitchen vaulted openings is mirrored by the symmetry of the two tall cabinets positioned next to them, while the orientation of the design is centered through the main archway which beautifully frames the kitchen, further adding to its appeal.

An old-fashioned look re-envisioned to create a timeless and comfortable home

hallway with off-white walls, and dark floors, vaulted ceilings
hallway with off-white walls, and dark floors, vaulted ceilings

The changes that were made throughout the house were like a filter applied over the existing, old-fashioned scheme. In the hallway, through a simple change of tone in a crisper, lighter off-white for the walls and ceilings, new lighting, new flooring, and the addition of art, the atmosphere created suddenly becomes steeped in modernity, while not losing any of the grandeur of the vaulted ceiling and archways.

hallway with vaulted ceilings in white, dark floors and glazed doors
hallway with vaulted ceilings in white, dark floors and glazed doors

In the living room, the once traditional fireplace, clad in wood trimmings, was re-imagined with modern steel and stone. The informal living coined the coffee room, is now a place to curl up in soft white boucle seating that stays true to the home's minimalist palette, while the vast ceiling height gives a great opportunity for dramatic floor-to-ceiling drapery. The rounded tops of the cabinets mirror the rounded alcoves and archways.

bathroom before redesign with aluminium freestanding bath
bathroom before redesign with aluminium freestanding bath

In the updated primary bathroom a stately feel is continued through ‘the drama of a matte black freestanding tub, romantic sheers, and a glamourous beaded chandelier,’ says Laura. The addition of a printed, soft rug in front of the bath tones down the stately feel of such dramatic architecture, and makes the space inviting and warm.

bathroom with off-white walls, vaulted ceilings, window and freestanding bath
bathroom with off-white walls, vaulted ceilings, window and freestanding bath

A lighting and finishes update turned the look of the space around

living room with large window, floor to ceiling curtains, and two white boucle chairs
living room with large window, floor to ceiling curtains, and two white boucle chairs

The lighting and finishes were also updated throughout to a more contemporary style using woven, textural, and bold statement pieces, while the owners’ taste for different cultures reflected in beautiful prints. ‘Fortunately for us, the client was not intimidated by color and pattern, which presented an exciting opportunity for bold statements throughout,’ says Laura Britt. Patterned rugs in light, warm colors can be seen in the living room, coffee room, and hallway, while a beautifully patterned blue wallpaper adds interest in the coffee room behind a vaulted bookcase.

living room in white with bookcase alcove, boucle chair and patterned rug
living room in white with bookcase alcove, boucle chair and patterned rug

‘We saw the architectural potential of the existing home but needed to update it to match the European client's well-traveled, cosmopolitan style. Their stories, artwork, and expressive personalities greatly informed our work,’ adds the designer.

Through the design process, this home was taken from old-fashioned and lacking character to a bright, modern yet cozy design that is both respectful of the impressive architecture but equally inviting and open. A beautifully put-together home, with a timeless spirit.

Get the look of this timeless design with these buys

Tilda Chandelier

Price: from $2,600

This is an investment statement piece that will add great impact to a room with high ceilings. For that extra dramatic effect, if the height allows it, follow Britt Design Group's example and add this in a bathroom.

Upholstered Swivel Barrel Chair

Price: $413.75

Get this in a pair and place with a coffee table in between, in front of your window for a beautiful coffee spot. Add a soft rug and low lighting for the evenings and you're good to go.

Argus End Table

Price: $650

This end table will look great by your sofa, but also in between two accent chairs in your coffee corner. As the surface is quite small, it's best to keep the styling minimal but you can add a vase or a candle.