Style Secrets to Steal From a 10-Ingredient Kitchen

The kitchen in the 1927 Los Angeles bungalow that Christen and Billy DeLaney bought five years ago wasn’t dreadful. It was just really, really dull. “We didn’t have a problem with the layout, or even the finishes,” says Christen, “but it had no flair. Not even bad flair!” Previous owners had outfitted the 200-square-foot cook space with maple-toned wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and basic glass pendants — not the eye-catching-yet-homey look Christen craved. So she and Billy tapped designers at Twofold LA, who assured the couple that they could work with what was there. The recipe: Pepper the kitchen with unique details and textures that would bring it to life — think graphic cement tiles, a cushy wool rug and sleek little concrete pendants. “It has so much personality!” says Christen. “Blending all the materials together makes it feel different from any other kitchen.”

1: Cement Tiles

“I wanted a Southwest-inspired backsplash, like the motifs you see on blankets, but with no cheesy colors,” says Christen. Tiles from Cement Tile Shop, each in a blown-up 8-inch-by-8-inch size, add kick to the once-backsplash-less walls.

2: Bamboo Shades

One of the kitchen’s built-in highlights was generously sized windows. The DeLaneys installed custom bamboo shades to keep the focus on the backsplash and let the Cali sunshine peek in.

3: Concrete Pendants

The old kitchen had small, clear glass pendant lights, “like what you’d see in a model home,” Christen says. She replaced them with industrial-chic concrete fixtures from HD Buttercup — a lot more flavorful.

4: Polished Concrete Countertops

At 3 ½ inches thick, this is one serious slab — and an element of the original kitchen that Christen and Billy were happy to keep, especially since it’s practically indestructible. “Confession: I’ve chopped food straight on here and you can’t even tell,” says Christen.

5: Wood Stools

Simple unstained stools feel modern and don’t compete with the other patterns in play. Plus the warm tone of this trio, from Jayson Home, fits right in with the wood floor and cabinets without seeming too matchy.

6: Metal Chandelier

Nine-foot-high ceilings gave the couple an opportunity to go big and “wow!” with lighting. With its wire frame, a 27-inch-wide chandelier by Roost looks airy and art-like.

7: Wallpaper

For another sprinkle of quirk, the DeLaneys went with this black-and-white print from Cavern, which has a subtle geometric pattern made of tiny intersecting arrows.

8: Marble-Top Table

The designers wanted natural stone in the mix and thought the gray veining in marble would go well with the backsplash. The top of this table is paired with a rustic Douglas fir pedestal base; it’s custom-made by Dusk Designs.

9: Wicker Chairs

Christen likes the natural texture of wicker and its down-home feel. But how to make it L.A.-fab? Metal legs! This set is from Roost.

10: Wool Rug

A soft vintage Moroccan wool rug bought at Breuckelen Berber is rich with color. “I’ve always loved the look of these but never had a place for one,” Christen says. In this kitchen, though, the playful pattern and palette give just the right amount of zing.