9 Simple Kitchen Upgrades

Owner Madelyn Smith knew she'd found "the one" the first time she stepped inside the McLean, Va., home where she lives with husband, Dominic. It was almost perfect. The newly built kitchen — with white cabinetry, a walnut-topped island, marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances — was gorgeous, but it had no pep or personality. Madelyn wanted to keep the room's good bones but add her own flare, so she asked Washington, D.C., interior designer Marika Meyer to help her turn a blank canvas into a stylish spot for a high-energy family of five.

Metal stools from the Sundance Catalog got a makeover with a coat of primer and red paint (Salsa by Benjamin Moore). "The stools are crazy comfortable because of their extra-big square seats," says Madelyn.

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Dominic, a former restaurant owner and an avid cook, suggested a wall-mounted pot filler at the range. "It's a great little timesaver," says Madelyn. "I make tea every morning, and I can fill my kettle right at the stove."