House & Home
Finally, after a long wait, we will begin construction on our kitchen in just a few weeks. What felt like endless dreaming is becoming real. Delays from limited time and budget stretched the process, but I’m excited to say that by the holidays this year (knock on wood) we hope to be enjoying our new kitchen.
Below are the inspiration images that guided many of our choices and helped shape the overall vibe we wanted. No single photo contains every detail we’re selecting, but each one captures an aspect of the mood we’re aiming for. Some of these images have appeared in earlier posts because they’ve lived in my kitchen inspiration files for a while, so they may look familiar.
Zoldan Interiors – High Gloss Magazine
I spent months agonizing over each decision, and there are still final choices to make. If you know me, you know I love every possible kitchen style. It’s hard to commit to just one when so many colors, materials and combinations would work. Since we can only have one new kitchen, I narrowed options based on what fits our home’s layout, our budget, and the overall aesthetic I wanted to achieve.
Atlanta Homes Magazine
One of the earliest decisions actually happened months ago when we first moved in: I knew I wanted a Dutch door in the kitchen. That element set the tone for everything else. A Dutch door feels welcoming and cottage-like, and once we committed to that mood the rest of the design choices fell into place more easily. Choosing a specific color for the door made it simpler to coordinate the rest of the room.
In my previous kitchen, the floors drove many decisions. Natural hickory floors with strong grain informed the cabinet color and contrasts. Back then I chose dark cabinets to balance and ground the wood grain; at the time dark gray cabinets weren’t as common and it felt like an unexpected but right choice. We paired the dark base with white walls, counters and uppers to keep the space fresh. If you’re new here, I shared that previous kitchen reveal elsewhere on the site.
Patti Wagner
For this new kitchen we’re planning white cabinets, mixed with some darker accents. That choice isn’t a reaction against darker trends or a rejection of what I’ve done before; it’s a practical move to create a clean backdrop that complements other focal elements like the floors, hardware and the painted Dutch door. Because the door will likely have a strong color, white cabinets will balance it nicely and allow that feature to sing without competing.
Southern Living
As we collected inspiration, a clear pattern emerged: while the kitchens were individually different in materials and colors, they shared a similar mood. That mood — simple, relaxed, homey and timeless — became the guiding principle for every decision. I wanted a kitchen that feels welcoming and easy to live in, one that can be refreshed with seasonal accents or a new rug without requiring a full redesign.
our kitchen mood: simple, homey, relaxed, inviting, classic, timeless.
When making selections I kept several goals in mind. First, I wanted a space that’s simple to update from season to season. A neutral, clean backdrop lets you swap colors and patterns easily. Second, I wanted a kitchen we’ll love for many years, but that’s also appealing to future owners should we ever move. Imagining a classic lake-house feel helped narrow choices, resulting in a space with personality that isn’t fussy, glamorous or overly precious.
Bungalow Magazine / Photo by Jared Tseng
House Beautiful
Over the next few weeks I’ll make final design decisions and share more updates as construction begins. Fall nesting will be in full swing here, and I can’t wait to enjoy the completed kitchen in time for the season.
Catch up on some home progress so far: Dining Room Shiplap Wall / Fireplace Makeover / Living Room Botanicals & Dresser / Living Room Daybed / Master Bedroom / Guest Room / Basement White Brick Fireplace / My Son’s Room — or browse my house posts to see more inspiration and ideas.
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