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

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Photo By: Stacey Brandford

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.

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.

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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.

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Blue and White Kitchen

Splashes of blue, like a pretty teapot and a framed chalkboard, add a little kick to a kitchen.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Green and Gray Kitchen

Metal stools are my go-to for a sleek space. They have a clean look and are very sturdy.

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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.

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Yellow and Beige Kitchen

It’s important to have some breathing space in a kitchen. Open shelving gives you that airy feel.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Sarah Richardson's Kitchen Design Recipes

Related To:

Shop This Look

White and Wood Kitchen

Herringbone Backsplash + Black-and-White Photos

Reclaimed Wood Island + Sink

Double Ovens

Blue and White Kitchen

Extra Upper Cabinets + Mosaic Tile Backsplash

Labeled Canisters

Blue Cabinet Pulls + Speckled Quartz Counters

Striped Floor

White Appliances

Green and Gray Kitchen

Laminate Counters

Gooseneck Faucet + Drain-Board Sink

Striped Glass Backsplash + Mixed Cabinet Styles

Porcelain Floor Tiles + Green Cabinets

Yellow and Beige Kitchen

Super Island

Multiple Pendants

Commercial Range and Custom Vent Hood

Stone Backsplash

Yellow Paint + Hardwood Floors

Salvaged Elements

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