Anyone who resides in Minneapolis is familiar with the charm of the Linden Hills neighborhood, tucked between Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet. It’s here that we transformed a neutral kitchen into the heartbeat of the home. By saying YES! to yellow, we created an inviting and functional kitchen for a sweet family of four.

Ohhhh yellow, an often overlooked hue that we welcome into our designs with open arms. By naming this project Yes to Yellow, we went back to our roots of color theory and reinforced the positive and energizing sentiments that yellow could add to this family’s space. These color concepts were balanced with design details that maintained the comfortable and calm feelings of home.

We love to be challenged, and it’s true that smaller kitchens can present some trials for designers. This sweet little family kitchen pushed us into thinking outside the box. To start, for a family with two young children, the kitchen had to be functional. Every part of the design had to be extremely intentional and meticulously placed, to transform the kitchen into a space for the family to gather.

There was a feeling of warmth and charm in this home that we didn’t want to give up with the new kitchen remodel. It was crucial that everything flowed and blended seamlessly. We took a pale, muted yellow to the custom cabinetry, complementing them with red oak wood and glass. The technique of replacing with glass on the cabinets mimicked windows that made this space feel bigger. Custom red oak wood with brass hardware on the cabinets matched the trim that guided you through the rest of the house. A curved, swooping hood over the range and toe kicks mimicked the existing adorned features. We chose granite countertops that were durable for the kids and maintained an authenticity that matched our clients existing outdoor flagstone, bringing the outdoors in.

One aspect we try to incorporate into our designs is beautiful, handmade tile. Honoring highly skilled artisans and tilemakers who have developed their craft and given care to each piece translates into a serious attention to detail in a final design. When thinking about tile sourcing, our client wasn’t interested in a traditional subway pattern, and wanted to explore some more unique options. So, digging deep into our studio’s tile collection, we found a perfect tile that featured organic shapes and cast subtle waves of luster all throughout the room. We extended this beautiful tile past the backsplash, giving it the appearance of a bigger kitchen.

Lighting is another element that elevates good design to great design. Instead of the typical recessed can, we opted for auburn monopoints that were not only effective, but incredibly attractive. The darling floral flush mount was shipped internationally by an Italian artisan.

These clients put a lot of trust in us– an extremely special and humbling experience where we were able to showcase not only our design talents, but a careful consideration of their family’s needs and desire to cultivate close relationships with each one of our clients. We truly could not be more pleased with how this kitchen remodel turned out. The final design showcases a classic kitchen layout elevated with a blending of old world European soul and a curated, artisanal style. We’re proud to say that we brought tons of warmth and life into this home, right before the cold Minnesota winter months arrive.