My client Todd Zitzkat, owner of Simone Development, LLC, is a contractor out on the east coast. He specializes in renovating homes with a focus on increasing energy efficiency.

I’ve worked with Todd a few times, including this complete home remodel in a rural, southern part of Connecticut. My job was to maximize the design of the space, while adhering to a strict budget.

White Shaker Kitchen Simone DevelopmentWhite Shaker Kitchen Simone Development
The open floor plan connects the dining room to the kitchen.

Wide open spaces

The home’s original floorplan didn’t mesh well with today’s design expectations. To keep the space entertaining and family friendly, Todd favored an open layout. Cooking and dining go hand in hand, so I wanted to maintain this free-flowing feeling between the two spaces. The peninsula acts as a natural divider in addition to adding storage and countertop work areas.

We used the shaker-style Shaker cabinets in Painted Cream throughout the kitchen. A chalkboard framed with trim sits at the end of the refrigerator cabinet for a decorative, interactive element all members of the family can enjoy.

White Shaker Kitchen Simone DevelopmentWhite Shaker Kitchen Simone Development

It’s all about the extra details

The hood above the stove is completely custom and unique to this kitchen. I put together a plan using molding, trim, and filler pieces. Todd built the hood onsite, which was an economical way to disguise the hood with the same clean-lined style of the kitchen.

Beadboard paneling was applied to the back of the peninsula for visual detail. The vertical lines bring in another element to complement the horizontal tiles and lines of the flooring. Crown molding and base trim on the island tie the cabinets in the space.

White Shaker Kitchen Sink Simone DevelopmentWhite Shaker Kitchen Sink Simone Development

Functional work triangle

The sink was placed in front of the window overlooking the backyard and deck area. Easy-reach cabinets surround the sink and give deep storage options below the counter.

I positioned a glass feature cabinet above the peninsula for a nice display area. Wood shelves were replaced with glass for extra texture and flavor without increased clutter.

White Shaker Kitchen Peninsula Simone DevelopmentWhite Shaker Kitchen Peninsula Simone Development

Decorative touches

On the end of the peninsula, we incorporated a bookshelf in place of a 12″-wide cabinet. It provides storage but in a more decorative manner than typical base cabinetry.

When I design a kitchen, I like to keep the microwave hidden but accessible. In this kitchen, we decided to frame it into the cabinetry to the right of the refrigerator. This way it looks built in and doesn’t disrupt the look of the kitchen.

Inset Cabinetry Bath Vanity Simone DevelopmentInset Cabinetry Bath Vanity Simone Development
The cherry inset vanity is the perfect complement to the white shaker kitchen.

Inset bath vanities

In two quaint half-baths, like this one on the main floor, we used the Fairmont inset cabinets in Medium Wood Stain. This style is more formal and gives a higher-end, custom look. The rich, dark grain provides a nice a contrast to the clean, white lines in the kitchen. But, as you can see, we used beadboard again to create continuity.

For both the kitchen and the baths, it’s the sum of the details that makes the spaces great.

To see more photos of the kitchen and bathrooms, visit our project on Houzz.

Author: Kara Lepley is a kitchen designer at CliqStudios.com