Farmhouse Charm and Fresh Style Make This Kitchen Totally Cool

Kathy Hutton is all about mixing things up at work and at home. As a designer and co-owner of a decor store in Houston with her daughter, Courtney, she regularly blends styles. When it came time for a kitchen redo, she and her husband, Robbie — high school sweethearts who reconnected 35 years later — did the same in their New Ulm, Texas, farmhouse. “We liked the original feel but wanted a fun twist,” says Cathy. They also needed more room for their combined families. After enclosing the back porch and knocking down a couple of walls, they enhanced some of the existing details and stirred things up with blue paint (Adirondack Blue by Behr) on the cabinets and unexpected touches, such as a snazzy backsplash. It came together beautifully … just like their families have.

The Details

Cedar-Paneled Island

For a new spin on white shiplap, Cathy left the wood natural. A sleek quartz countertop and bold Tolix-style counter stools from Wayfair contrast the rustic-ness. At 4 feet by 7 -1/2 feet, the island is long enough for all five grandkids to gather around for ice cream sundaes.

Hex Tile Backsplash

Beadboard above and below the cabinets: charm overload! Cathy replaced the lower portion with a splashy backsplash — glazed terra-cotta tile that has a mottled design, from a local tile store.

Pressed Tin Ceiling

The couple had loved the texture of the tin ceiling but not its bronze color. Painting it a creamy white shade (Natural Wicker by Benjamin Moore) in a flat finish “brought out the antique look even more,” says Cathy.

Parquet-Look Floors

Instead of traditional farmhouse planks, Cathy went with 2-foot square porcelain tiles by Refin that mimic parquet. “We are messy people, with muddy shoes, so we needed a floor that could be scrubbed to oblivion,” she says.