Discover how we schemed up the kitchen that nearly broke our Instagram feed.

European-inspired small kitchen with marble counters and backsplash, brass fixtures, and dark navy cabinets.

Kidney stones. Credit card debt. Some things in life are jolting reminders that bigger isn’t always better. Case in point, this Washington, D.C. kitchen. Rarely is an expansive kitchen not a priority among homeowners (Zoe herself is actually partial to smaller sized kitchens). But instead of an expansion plan, owner Laura Durso, vice president at a public policy research nonprofit, enlisted us to optimize the existing footprint of her galley kitchen, and give it an update worthy of the building's historic status.

But First, Space Planning

The original kitchen had lots of upper cabinets that made the petite space feel claustrophobic, not to mention a narrow doorway connecting the kitchen to the dining room, and dated finishes. The upper cabinets had to go, and were replaced with better-appointed lower cabinets to ensure ample storage. Since Laura is an avid entertainer, we widened the doorway to open up the space and create more connection between the kitchen and the dining room. The bigger doorway called for a showstopping moment, so we devised a cutout arch detail to frame the hood.

And Then, Scheming

Materials:
Creating an old-world feel is all about materials. With grand European kitchens and Parisian cafés as our inspiration, we settled on creamy plaster for the walls and hood surround, classic honed marble for the counters and backsplash, and timeless gray and white marble floor tiles. Laying the tiles in a checkerboard pattern felt too diner-ish, so we opted for a historic-leaning harlequin pattern instead. The ogee style counter edge reads Paris patisserie. And for a heritage feel that wasn’t stuck in the past, we used black-navy paint for the cabinets and clean-lined hardware, both of which introduce a bit of sleek polish. The inset shelves lined with wood play off that same modern feel, and are perfect for Laura's cookbooks. Of course, every room needs something totally unexpected, and here it’s the wire mesh grille cabinet inserts. Not only do they feel unique, the unlacquered brass finish means they’ll develop an oxidized patina over time, only getting cooler as they age.

Fixtures & Appliances:
The brass faucet, also unlacquered, was an Etsy score. In this small space, the unusual faucet profile does so much style heavy lifting. Laura needed a new range and we loved that besides offering fantastic function, Hallman had styles available with brass knob details, perfect to tie the appliance in with the rest of the space.

Lighting & Decor:
Always say yes to unexpected lighting in the kitchen. The wicker shade on this articulated brass sconce was just right to tone down the formality of the marble counters and floors, and introduced a touch of homey warmth. When you top off a backsplash with an open shelf, what you get are lots of opportunities to accessorize. You could add a stack of plates, but we find layering in art and greenery brings a lot of life to any kitchen.

Check out the full project we did for Laura HERE.