Casual Elegance With Ample Room for a Chef

This retired couple bought a Colonial-style home in Sterling, Massachusetts, on 4 acres to be closer to their growing family and granddaughter. While they loved the classic architecture, they wanted to update the home’s neutral interiors. A big focus was revamping the kitchen and its basic honey oak cabinets, angled two-tier peninsula, standard white appliances and laminate countertops. The husband, a trained chef and former restaurant owner, wanted ample room for prepping and serving. The wife was looking for some color for the cabinets and wanted an elegant look and feel. For help they hired designer Ruth Bergstrom.

Bergstrom replaced the angled two-tier peninsula with a spacious L-shaped peninsula that adds work surface and seating. Updated appliances in a more user-friendly layout enhance function, while a polished marble-look quartz for the countertops and backsplash adds elegance and durability. Gray cabinets with subtle green and blue undertones bring a soft and soothing feel.