319 Design

Your kitchen table is probably making your space feel smaller than it actually is…

Banquette seating is one of my favorite ways to rethink that footprint. When it makes sense, we either build it in for a seamless and custom look, or use standalone banquette seating options for a more flexible setup.

For this client, we were able to extend the length of their kitchen cabinetry and island without sacrificing the size of their kitchen table. We were strategic with the banquette design as well based on this family’s needs✨

Which would you prefer…
Custom and built-in or movable and interchangeable?

Here’s how we finish kitchen cabinets to a ten foot ceiling… 📏

Taking your cabinets to the ceiling is one of our favorite ways to make a kitchen feel taller, more finished, and truly custom… especially when you have the ceiling height to show off.

But higher isn’t always better! If your ceilings are extra tall, extending cabinetry all the way up can start to feel out of proportion. Sometimes a finished crown or intentional stopping point gives you the same polished look without forcing it.

So the decision to finish your cabinet to the ceiling is far from “one size fits all” and having a designer talk you through the proportions of your space is always helpful!

The double island lighting dilemma 💡

When a kitchen already has multiple statement fixtures, sometimes the best lighting decision is knowing where not to add another one.

In this space, we already had a beautiful fixture over the dining table and a sconce above the open shelving. Adding pendants over both islands would have started to feel crowded… especially where the kitchen opens directly into the living room.

Since the island closest to the living space is less about prep and more about gathering + hosting, we chose to leave it completely open. No pendants, no visual obstruction. We just wanted a clear sightline that allows the kitchen and living room to flow together and makes the entire space feel larger.

Let’s clear the air…

I’m not saying there’s not a wrong way to do your kitchen hardware… but there are a LOT of right ways to do it!

You can change up your hardware placement throughout your kitchen depending on the cabinet style and what makes the most sense. The key is to ✨keep symmetrical spaces symmetrical✨

Think: towers matching towers, uppers matching uppers, drawers matching drawers, etc.

On a stand alone pantry cabinet however, it might make more sense to change the hardware placement, and that’s okay!

Ultimately, your hardware placement should be a mix of function + appearance. It should look intentional, but more importantly, it should feel natural to use every day.