4 New Kitchens With Wonderful Wood Cabinets
Pros share how they used various wood species, styles, stains and details to create warm and welcoming kitchens
Wood cabinets can do a lot for a kitchen. They add warmth, texture and a natural element. Plus, as some designers note, wood is a good low-maintenance option because it tends to hold up better than paint. Here, design and remodeling pros share the details in four kitchens that feature beautiful wood cabinets.
2. Shaker-Style Shake-Up
Designers: Matthew Liu and Brenna Thompson of Studio Litho (architecture and interior design)
General contractor and design-build firm: Nathan and Alyssa Comstock of Comstock Home Renovations
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. “The brief was to refresh the open-concept kitchen and living area,” designer Matthew Liu says. “The existing space had poorly stained cherry-red floors, which cast an overwhelming red hue in an already light-limited area. The walls had numerous bump-outs due to poorly coordinated MEP —mechanical, electrical, plumbing — elements when the building was originally constructed that forced the original cabinetry and appliances to fit around those dimensional inconsistencies. Our first focus was coming up with a design approach to rationalize the existing conditions with custom millwork to create clean interior alignments.”
Cabinet details. Rift white oak cabinets. “A key element of this project was the millwork detailing,” Liu says. “Our client was drawn to the traditional farmhouse Shaker style for the kitchen — thick frames around cabinetry doors, trim and molding. The Shaker style, which originated with the philosophy of necessity and simple living, to us was at odds with a modernized house equipped with the latest technology and appliances on display. We took inspiration from the Shaker style and altered the frames (rails and stiles) on the cabinetry doors to be a sleeker profile. This approach helped the desired kitchen aesthetic to match with some of the more contemporary elements already within the house.”
Other special features. White oak flooring. Sintered stone countertops.
Designer tip. “Balancing material application is key to any small interior project, and all well-designed spaces have some level of contrast whether it’s through form, texture or color. In our project, we’ve been selective in the wood tones and mitered stone accents, which allow those elements to ‘pop’ within a neutral white background.”
Stools: Range, Denver Modern; lighting: ceiling light model No. 7651, Peared Creation; countertops: Neolith; wall and cabinet paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; flooring: Gillespie Hardwood Floors; millwork and cabinetry: Alex Mauro, Home by Alexander; project photos: Chris Veith
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Designers: Matthew Liu and Brenna Thompson of Studio Litho (architecture and interior design)
General contractor and design-build firm: Nathan and Alyssa Comstock of Comstock Home Renovations
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. “The brief was to refresh the open-concept kitchen and living area,” designer Matthew Liu says. “The existing space had poorly stained cherry-red floors, which cast an overwhelming red hue in an already light-limited area. The walls had numerous bump-outs due to poorly coordinated MEP —mechanical, electrical, plumbing — elements when the building was originally constructed that forced the original cabinetry and appliances to fit around those dimensional inconsistencies. Our first focus was coming up with a design approach to rationalize the existing conditions with custom millwork to create clean interior alignments.”
Cabinet details. Rift white oak cabinets. “A key element of this project was the millwork detailing,” Liu says. “Our client was drawn to the traditional farmhouse Shaker style for the kitchen — thick frames around cabinetry doors, trim and molding. The Shaker style, which originated with the philosophy of necessity and simple living, to us was at odds with a modernized house equipped with the latest technology and appliances on display. We took inspiration from the Shaker style and altered the frames (rails and stiles) on the cabinetry doors to be a sleeker profile. This approach helped the desired kitchen aesthetic to match with some of the more contemporary elements already within the house.”
Other special features. White oak flooring. Sintered stone countertops.
Designer tip. “Balancing material application is key to any small interior project, and all well-designed spaces have some level of contrast whether it’s through form, texture or color. In our project, we’ve been selective in the wood tones and mitered stone accents, which allow those elements to ‘pop’ within a neutral white background.”
Stools: Range, Denver Modern; lighting: ceiling light model No. 7651, Peared Creation; countertops: Neolith; wall and cabinet paint: Chantilly Lace, Benjamin Moore; flooring: Gillespie Hardwood Floors; millwork and cabinetry: Alex Mauro, Home by Alexander; project photos: Chris Veith
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3. White Oak Winner
Designer: Amy Elbaum of AE Design
Location: Park City, Utah
Homeowners’ request. “This was part of a new-construction home,” designer Amy Elbaum says. “The client wanted very clean lines and all closed storage. They also gravitated toward an organic modern aesthetic, so we did all wood cabinets and plaster on the hood. They wanted a large island, which houses most of their storage. They also wanted a seating area as a part of the kitchen that we attached to the back of the island.”
Cabinet details. “The cabinets are all rift-cut white oak with a dead flat finish,” Elbaum says. “The house uses a lot of wood to create an organic feel. Wood cabinets also hold up much better and longer than painted cabinets and the client wanted something low-maintenance for their family. We complemented the wood with dark gray concrete-feel quartz countertops and a porcelain slab marble-look backsplash.”
Other special features. “The range in this kitchen is very special,” Elbaum says. “It is by La Cornue and it is a real pop against an otherwise quiet kitchen. We also chose to do no hardware in this kitchen, so all of the pulls are integrated into the cabinet faces. This keeps things super sleek. The plaster on the hood is custom and hand-painted.”
Designer tip. “We did all panel-ready appliances in here,” Elbaum says. “This means the refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher are all concealed to look like regular cabinets. This helps keep the look very uniform and the overall aesthetic sleek and upscale.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “During a site visit, we noticed that the slabs on the backsplash around the window were not installed in the direction that we had indicated on our drawings,” Elbaum says. “We met with the contractor and the stone subcontractor and they had to purchase new slabs and reinstall them. It’s important to always make sure things are installed correctly before signing off on anything.”
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Designer: Amy Elbaum of AE Design
Location: Park City, Utah
Homeowners’ request. “This was part of a new-construction home,” designer Amy Elbaum says. “The client wanted very clean lines and all closed storage. They also gravitated toward an organic modern aesthetic, so we did all wood cabinets and plaster on the hood. They wanted a large island, which houses most of their storage. They also wanted a seating area as a part of the kitchen that we attached to the back of the island.”
Cabinet details. “The cabinets are all rift-cut white oak with a dead flat finish,” Elbaum says. “The house uses a lot of wood to create an organic feel. Wood cabinets also hold up much better and longer than painted cabinets and the client wanted something low-maintenance for their family. We complemented the wood with dark gray concrete-feel quartz countertops and a porcelain slab marble-look backsplash.”
Other special features. “The range in this kitchen is very special,” Elbaum says. “It is by La Cornue and it is a real pop against an otherwise quiet kitchen. We also chose to do no hardware in this kitchen, so all of the pulls are integrated into the cabinet faces. This keeps things super sleek. The plaster on the hood is custom and hand-painted.”
Designer tip. “We did all panel-ready appliances in here,” Elbaum says. “This means the refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher are all concealed to look like regular cabinets. This helps keep the look very uniform and the overall aesthetic sleek and upscale.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “During a site visit, we noticed that the slabs on the backsplash around the window were not installed in the direction that we had indicated on our drawings,” Elbaum says. “We met with the contractor and the stone subcontractor and they had to purchase new slabs and reinstall them. It’s important to always make sure things are installed correctly before signing off on anything.”
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
4. Walnut Warmth
Designer: Nancy Holst of Holst Interiors
Builder: Haley Custom Homes
Location: Denver
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to achieve a timeless design, which tends to lean more traditional, but they wanted the modern touches that much of today’s design offers,” says project manager Michael Preszler of Haley Custom Homes.
Cabinet details. “Walnut cabinets helped us achieve a nice mix of traditional and modern design,” Preszler says. “The walnut was chosen because it offers rich color with an elegant touch. The cabinet design veers away from the ultramodern by implementing a simple edge detail instead of slab doors. And then the gold hardware and lighting add that touch of elegance to the space.”
Builder tip. “If I have any suggestion, it would be to ‘keep it simple,’” Preszler says. “Keep the color choices, the design variations, the materials to two or three each and then use those really well. That gives those choices a chance to stand out and really shine rather than competing for the same attention.”
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Designer: Nancy Holst of Holst Interiors
Builder: Haley Custom Homes
Location: Denver
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner wanted to achieve a timeless design, which tends to lean more traditional, but they wanted the modern touches that much of today’s design offers,” says project manager Michael Preszler of Haley Custom Homes.
Cabinet details. “Walnut cabinets helped us achieve a nice mix of traditional and modern design,” Preszler says. “The walnut was chosen because it offers rich color with an elegant touch. The cabinet design veers away from the ultramodern by implementing a simple edge detail instead of slab doors. And then the gold hardware and lighting add that touch of elegance to the space.”
Builder tip. “If I have any suggestion, it would be to ‘keep it simple,’” Preszler says. “Keep the color choices, the design variations, the materials to two or three each and then use those really well. That gives those choices a chance to stand out and really shine rather than competing for the same attention.”
Shop a curated selection of items for your kitchen
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
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Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Brooke Fish of Pure and Noble Home
General contractor: Zion Home and Building
Location: Dallas
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners’ kitchen was original to the house, boxed off with choppy cabinetry that didn’t have the storage space this family of seven needed,” designer Brooke Fish says. “As a large family, the client knew they needed lots of storage, a more open concept that would allow the natural light to pour in, all while making sure large dinners and dance parties could take place.”
Cabinet details. “The homeowners have a pretty modern vibe, but one that needed to flow with family antiques and heirlooms and the warmth and love their family pours out,” Fish says. “The rest of the home has all white walls, so we knew the kitchen needed warm tones and textures. Beechwood was used for the majority of the cabinets and island. We used a deeper stain on the cabinets that would partner well with wood and terra-cotta floors and the soapstone countertops and backsplash. The tones and textures throughout the kitchen draw you in, like an invitation to gather.”
Other special features. “All of the interior walls were removed and three 24-inch beams were installed to give the owners the open space they desired while allowing light to saturate the kitchen and living room,” Fish says. “Piling on layers of textures with wood, soapstone, gold hardware and amber glass pendants gave the space a warm glow day or night.”
Designer tip. “For the ceiling we used High Reflective White by Sherwin-Williams in high gloss, which might seem odd in this modern space, but with all the dark surfaces we really wanted the light to bounce all over the room,” Fish says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The electrical breaker box was at max capacity and the range they bought required more amperage,” Fish says. “We had to add a subpanel to create more space for that. These things come up and the last thing you want to do is ask the client for more money, but in the end you have to do what is right for the project and the client. It was a necessary expense and the client is grateful for the larger range. I mean, it’s a family of seven!”
Black cabinet paint: Black Magic, Sherwin-Williams
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