Wide Open Kitchen with Custom Built-In Banquette Seating
This was a very special project for everyone here at CliqStudios! This is the first kitchen we created with The House That Social Media Built. We love every feature in this kitchen, but the custom banquette seating is like nothing we’ve seen before.
What is THTSMB?
THTSMB is the brain child of Connecticut-based Realtor Nicole White and house flipper Mike Riccio. Initially, they just wanted to incorporate social media somehow into their next home remodeling project. The idea came together when Nicole started seeking feedback on her personal Facebook profile. She asked friends what kinds of colors and finishes they should use on their upcoming flip. Suggestions and responses started pouring in, and soon they started a separate Facebook page just for the project. Followers started chiming in not just from the area, but from all corners of the country, and from all over the world! After that first house, it was clear that their success was no flash in the pan. There would be many, many more houses that social media built!

One of the highlights of this kitchen is the custom banquette seating in the L-shaped island.
Nicole and Mike now have a regular formula when they start on a project. They post several options for wall colors, lighting fixtures, or other accessories to their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Their followers vote on their preferred options, Nicole tabulates the results, and voila!
Project Timeline
Although this project timeline was a bit rushed, Nicole was pleased by how smoothly the design process went. “We were especially impressed by the feedback we received from our designer. Mike and I would get on the phone with our designer who gave us lots of feedback on where and how particular cabinets and kitchen elements should be placed. This back & forth greatly improved the overall functionality of this kitchen.”
Mike, who has been in the construction and remodeling business for decades was very happy with the construction of the cabinets themselves. “The quality was excellent, and they were easy to install. We were a bit worried about having to assemble the custom banquette seating on-site. However, the instructions included were clear and easy to follow, so putting together this custom-designed piece was a breeze.”
The seasoned home improvement experts also appreciated the multiple renderings that accompany each design packet. Not only did it give them a good sense of the space well before construction, but their thousands of social media followers loved getting a “sneak peek” of this project. Nicole also notes that using the renderings to show her clients what the kitchen would look like made a big difference. “We sold this house well before the renovation was finished!”
Related Content:
- Kitchen of the Week: The House That Social Media Built – https://www.cliqstudios.com/blog/kitchen-of-the-week-madison-ct/
Make sure to follow The House That Social Media Built online and vote for their next project!
- https://www.facebook.com/thehousethatsocialmediabuilt/
- https://www.instagram.com/thehousethatsocialmediabuilt/
Before & After Photos
Showing 8 comments

Janice Priebe-Tate
Are the cabinets white, cloud white or bright white?
Dan Jones
The cabinet paint is our standard white
So
Who makes your sink faucet?
CliqStudios Social Media
Hi! The sink was sourced locally by the flippers for this project.
Heinrich
Modern look for a kitchen with inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Lindsay Shinn
This kitchen is so beautiful! I have a question- we are going with the Painted White cabinets as well, but I think I may have to change my paint color on the walls. I picked Chantilly Lace (BM) originally, but it is such a cool white (which I wanted) that it makes the painted white cabinets almost look dingy. 🙁 Your wall color and trim color look perfect with the cabinets, would you mind sharing what color it is? Thank you!
Liz V
We are in the same pickle! We painted our entire new home Chantilly Lace (exactly the same as you!) and the Painted White sample just doesn’t look white next to it. I tried the Bright White sample but that option is too much. White quartz countertops don’t look great with that.
Lisa
what color did you end up painting…I too am a fan of Chantilly Lace =) I just sent for cloud white and bright white samples
thank you