Design Details In Practice: A Successful Kitchen Renovation Case Study
This post is the final entry in our Details in Design series – a closer look at the small decisions that shape how a home feels. So far, we’ve explored how early planning and thoughtful detailing create timeless interiors, and we’ve highlighted five small choices that elevate any space. Now, we’re sharing a real-world example of those ideas in action. This is the story of a small kitchen that received big care and how every decision made it more personal, functional, and enduring.
Sometimes, a project comes along that perfectly reflects the power of intentional interior design. For us, the Forsythe kitchen renovation was one of those projects.
Located in a one-bedroom condominium with an open great room layout, the kitchen’s footprint was modest. But the client’s design goals were anything but. She came to us drawn to the layered, classic warmth she’d seen in our portfolio. She loved the character of Old World style, but wanted something that felt right for the scale of her space. And she had one firm request: design around the stunning slab of Fusion quartzite she’d already sourced.
What followed was a deeply collaborative process that touched every surface of the space. From appliances and millwork to finishes and furniture-inspired elements, every detail was considered. Here’s how it came together.
The Vision: Traditional Style in a Small Footprint
At the heart of the design brief were three priorities:
Celebrate the dramatic Fusion stone slab in the kitchen.
Incorporate furniture-style cabinetry and a custom range hood with Old World character.
Maximize both form and function in a limited footprint – without crowding the space.
The client also loved copper accents and had collected several beautiful pieces she hoped to incorporate. Our goal was to create cabinetry and millwork that offered both storage and display, giving her space to tuck things away functionally and a stage to showcase them.
Furniture-Inspired Cabinetry Designed to Perform
We approached the cabinetry with a furnishing mindset. That meant designing pieces that looked less like a typical kitchen and more like furniture with scaled details and a blend of open and closed storage.
One tall cabinet became a hardworking anchor. Inside, we created space for a microwave and other small appliances, hidden behind a lift door-style mechanism for easy access and function. Touch-latch doors that allowed the exteriors to stay clean and simple. Above and around, we layered open shelving scaled to accommodate copperware and artful pieces.
Another favorite detail was the side-access pantry column. Tucked inside a column detail was a side access pantry cabinet. Niche in scale, but this smart little solution offered easy reach-in storage without interrupting the visual flow of the space.
To maintain a tailored look, we removed visible hardware from many of the upper cabinets, relying instead on touch-latch mechanics that kept lines clean and uninterrupted.
A Custom Island with Soul
Because of electrical limitations in the condo (no wiring to the island was possible), we had to approach the design differently. Rather than try to force traditional functionality, we embraced the constraint and treated the island like a standalone furniture piece.
The result? A warm walnut island with a DuPont edge, detailed like a dining table top but crafted for kitchen use. To make it truly personal, the client and I sourced reclaimed boards together, selecting wood with natural variation and character that worked together. It became one of the most loved features in the kitchen – not just for its function, but for its presence and the memory tied to its creation.
Right-Sized Appliances = More Room for Detail
One of the smartest design moves we made was downsizing the appliances. By choosing European-sized models, like an 18-inch dishwasher and a 24-inch refrigerator, we freed up space for other priorities: columns, storage cabinetry, a mantel hood detail, and better movement within the room.
We also incorporated a small copper sink, a favorite of the client’s. While I always walk clients through the practical care of living with materials like copper, in this case, the choice was deeply personal and thoughtfully considered.
Finishes That Worked in Harmony
Originally, we considered a layered cabinet finish: cherry with a warm grey stain undertone and an ebony glaze. But once the backsplash and stone were selected, we stepped back and reconsidered. We wanted the cabinetry to support and not compete with the other finishes.
Ultimately, we chose a slightly cleaner look with the grey stain on cherry that grounded the space and gave the backsplash its moment. That backsplash, a soft and slightly glazed Tuscan-inspired travertine, became the thread that the client wanted to pull everything together.
This is something I talk about often with clients: having a plan is important, but staying open to adjustments as the design evolves can make all the difference.
Design as Collaboration
Projects like this don’t come together in isolation. They require input, flexibility, and a team of talented craftspeople.
One of the things clients notice quickly when I am working with them is how I approach “off-the-shelf” items. If a lamp comes in the wrong finish, we refinish it. If a piece of furniture isn’t offered with the right legs or in the right height, we look at how we can have something made that will better suit our clients’ needs.. We make it work, and we make it personal.
In this case, I brought in several trusted partners: a local cabinetmaker to handle the furniture-style construction, a fabricator to finish the reclaimed island wood, and suppliers who were willing to source or tweak what was needed. None of it was extravagant. But all of it was deliberate.
The End Result: A Kitchen Renovation That Feels Like the Client
What I love most about this project is how closely the finished space reflects the woman who lives there. It’s layered but not heavy. Traditional, but not fussy. Functional, but far from ordinary.
And most of all, it feels like hers.
That’s the power of detail in design. It’s not about how much you spend or how large the space is. It’s about knowing what matters and shaping each choice around that.
“Little Things Make Big Things Happen” – John Wooden
As we wrap up this Details in Design series, I hope it’s clear that great design isn’t about one big idea. It’s about dozens – sometimes hundreds – of small, thoughtful ones that add up to something special.
Whether it’s a custom millwork profile, a countertop edge detail, or a lamp reimagined with a new finish, these little moments shape how we experience a home.
And that’s what we love doing most.
If you’re planning a renovation or dreaming of a home that feels truly personal, we’d love to hear more.