Sarah Richardson's Kitchen Design Recipes
Designing a kitchen is all about blending the right ingredients. The Sarah 101 host tells HGTV Magazine what she likes to mix together to make a great space. Check out all four "recipes."
By:
Jennifer Berno DeCleene
and
Kate Doherty
From:
HGTV Magazine
White and Wood Kitchen
Pipe Light Fixture + Quartz and Marble Counters
I found this cool white pipe and light-bulb fixture at a salvage shop for $300, but you could have something similar made with conduit pipe pieces from the hardware store. I used Silestone quartz along the perimeter of the kitchen, and Calacatta marble for the island for a big impact in the middle of the room.
I found this cool white pipe and light-bulb fixture at a salvage shop for $300, but you could have something similar made with conduit pipe pieces from the hardware store. I used Silestone quartz along the perimeter of the kitchen, and Calacatta marble for the island for a big impact in the middle of the room.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Herringbone Backsplash + Black-and-White Photos
The backsplash mimics the island’s wood pattern and requires about the same amount of tile as a straight installation. Gray grout accentuates the pattern and hides dirt. I love artwork in the kitchen since it’s a gathering space. These photos of bread and wine bottles are fun for their entertaining theme.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Reclaimed Wood Island + Sink
I went with rustic reclaimed barn board on the island, plus black hardware and an oak floor. Spread out the functions in a kitchen so that as many people as possible can work at once. I like to put a sink in the island so it’s separate from the cooking and prep spaces.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Double Ovens
Stacking the two electric ovens would have cut into the prep space, so I tucked both below the counters. One is an oven/microwave combo.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Blue and White Kitchen
Splashes of blue, like a pretty teapot and a framed chalkboard, add a little kick to a kitchen.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Extra Upper Cabinets + Mosaic Tile Backsplash
Double your storage space by making two rows of upper cabinets. The top ones are great for stashing bulky pieces you don’t use every day. I chose mosaic marble tiles that look sort of like bubbles. It's a splurge, but marble tiles aren’t as pricey as a solid slab.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Labeled Canisters
Baking supplies can become a jumble in the cabinet. Invest in a set of airtight glass jars for your ingredients. They’ll look neater and stay fresh longer.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Blue Cabinet Pulls + Speckled Quartz Counters
Blue and white always feels fresh in a kitchen. I customized IKEA Applad cabinets with vintage blue pulls to play up the palette. The counters are a combo of practical and playful. They’re white quartz flecked with shades of blue.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Striped Floor
It has the same look as a painted wood floor, but it’s actually made up of 1-foot-by-3-foot Marmoleum panels (forboflooringna.com) installed in a striped pattern. They come in 30 colors.
From:
HGTV Magazine
White Appliances
White appliances cost far less than stainless steel ones. And stainless appliances often have black accents, which would have distracted from the clean look of this kitchen.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Green and Gray Kitchen
Metal stools are my go-to for a sleek space. They have a clean look and are very sturdy.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Laminate Counters
Even though laminate is low-cost, it doesn’t feel like you’re skimping if you combine it with glossy tiles and stainless appliances. This countertop is a mix of all the room’s colors, and it’s a cinch to clean with a counter spray.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Gooseneck Faucet + Drain-Board Sink
A gooseneck faucet not only looks cool but also makes filling large pots and doing dishes a breeze. I love a sink with a built-in drain board because it keeps water off the counters.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Striped Glass Backsplash + Mixed Cabinet Styles
I used 3-inch-by-6-inch glass tiles in pale green and cool gray to make stripes for the backsplash. When I’m using stock cabinetry, I blend styles to fake a custom look as with these glass-front and white cabinets. For unexpected color, I hung vintage enamel pendants.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Porcelain Floor Tiles + Green Cabinets
A natural stone floor is beautiful, but large-scale porcelain tiles have a similar look and cost a lot less. I wanted a sleek palette that’s not too monochromatic, so these painted cabinets add life.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Yellow and Beige Kitchen
It’s important to have some breathing space in a kitchen. Open shelving gives you that airy feel.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Super Island
This island is a real workhorse. It has lots of prep surface, a wraparound counter that seats three, deep drawers and cabinets for storage, and pantry space on the back.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Multiple Pendants
I prefer pendants to can lights because they direct light onto the work surface. Make sure to hang enough of them. I needed three for this 9-foot island, and I added a small one over the sink.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Commercial Range and Custom Vent Hood
The 48-inch gas range is the same kind used in commercial kitchens. You’ll need a commercial vent, too, so make sure you budget for one. They start at around $1,000. I designed a custom cover to help this one blend in with the cabinetry.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Stone Backsplash
I chose limestone with an onyx border for the backsplash behind the stove. The pattern on the limestone sort of looks like rustic barn board.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Yellow Paint + Hardwood Floors
Sunny yellow feels welcoming all year. I wanted to preserve this farmhouse’s 1885 charm, so I refinished the maple floors instead of replacing them with tile.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Salvaged Elements
I love shopping at architectural salvage shops. Here I used curvy corbels for shelf supports and a carved newel post as a leg on the island.
From:
HGTV Magazine
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