Every so often I see a remodel that gets the hard stuff right: it looks timeless on day one, it will still feel right in ten years, and it actually works for real life. This kitchen does exactly that. The homeowners committed to a clear vision—natural white oak, crisp white uppers, marble-look slabs, and soft brass—then executed with precision. The payoff is a space that’s calm, functional, and quietly luxurious.

Why this design works

• A balanced two-tone palette. White uppers keep the room bright; oak lowers and panels ground the space and add warmth. Nothing feels trendy or overdone.

• Stone carried up the wall. The marble-look slab backsplash runs from counter to hood and around the room, eliminating grout lines and visual noise. Clean to look at, easy to wipe down.

• One signature detail. The hood’s slender oak band ties the palette together and makes the range wall feel custom without heavy ornament.

• Layered lighting. Recessed cans for general light, under-cabinet LEDs for task work, tiny pucks beneath the hood, and a pair of brass sconces over the open shelves. It’s bright when you need it and soft when you don’t.

• Cohesive metals. Brushed brass appears on pulls, knobs, sconces, and the faucet—consistent but not matchy-matchy.

The star feature: an appliance garage that tames the mess

Tucked beside the refrigerator is a full appliance garage with pocket doors and an interior outlet. The microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and stand mixer all live here. Doors retract completely during use, then slide shut to restore that fresh, uncluttered look.

Why I love it

• Keeps cords and crumbs off the main counters.

• Sits between fridge and sink—your entire morning routine happens in a few steps.

• A short run of counter lets you pull heavy appliances forward without lifting.

Range wall: performance without visual clutter

A sleek range sits between deep storage drawers and paneled base cabinets. The hood is sculptural but simple, and the stone backsplash lets the wall read as one large, quiet surface. It’s the difference between “nice” and “custom.”

Sink & shelves: practical with a little display

The apron-front sink on the island gets generous landing space on both sides and a view into the room. Along the dishwashing wall, two floating oak shelves with under-lighting provide easy-reach storage that still looks styled, while a tall arched cabinet hides the not-so-pretty pieces.

Storage strategy you can steal

• Drawers wherever possible. A shallow top drawer for tools, medium drawers for bowls and lids, deep drawers for pots and small appliances.

• A true pantry/utility tower. The tall oak cabinet swallows brooms, trays, and Costco runs.

• Landing zones near every appliance. Short counters beside the range, sink, and fridge make cooking smoother.

• Power where you use it. Inside the garage and at island ends—no cords stretching across walkways.

Materials & specs (the winning combo)

• Cabinetry: shaker-style in natural white oak and painted white

• Counters & backsplash: marble-look quartz/porcelain slabs with soft veining

• Hardware & plumbing: brushed brass (pulls, knobs, faucet, sconces)

• Flooring: light oak that harmonizes with the cabinetry without trying to match it exactly

• Lighting color temp: 2700–3000K for warm, food-friendly light

Planning notes (so yours feels this polished)

1. Honor proportions. Keep reveals even (⅜–¾ in.) around doors and panels; that quiet precision is what reads “custom.”

2. Commit to your metals. One brass family across fixtures prevents near-miss color clashes.

3. Run slab up the wall where budgets allow. It’s a huge visual declutter and a cleaning win.

4. Vent and power first. Proper hood ducting and dedicated small-appliance circuits save headaches later.

This remodel is proof that restraint is powerful. By choosing a calm palette and investing in function—drawers, lighting, concealed appliances—the owners created a kitchen that feels welcoming today and will still feel right years from now. Decisions were made, and yes—the results are sublime.