When we bought our house in 2007, it quickly became clear the kitchen needed attention—despite the fact I rarely cooked then. The royal blue tiled countertops that continued up the backsplash were, frankly, unpleasant.
With a limited budget we made only modest changes, and in hindsight I’m glad we did. Our tastes evolved over the following years, and if I were to redo the kitchen now with a larger budget, I would approach it very differently.
I teamed up with Wren Living, a family-owned company focused on bringing functional, affordable design to the UK, to imagine a kitchen remodel inspired by some of the beautiful spaces below. If you aren’t familiar with Wren Living, they offer fully assembled cabinetry in a variety of designer finishes and styles at accessible prices.
Now, onto the kitchen inspiration. This week I’m obsessing over these gorgeous rooms…
(above) I love the lighting and shelving arrangement in this kitchen—those stainless steel countertops are a standout.
The marble backsplash in the next space is absolutely stunning and brings a refined, elegant touch that lifts the whole room.
I’m drawn to two-toned cabinets shown here. This look, featuring fitted, fully assembled cabinets from Wren Living’s Linda Barker collection, combines linen and Baltic eggshell finishes beautifully. The cabinet hardware is a tasteful detail that completes the aesthetic.
Another kitchen leans into an industrial vibe with abundant stainless steel, while warm wood floors add contrast and prevent the space from feeling too cold.
One remodeled kitchen uses a distinctive cabinet color paired with gold drawer and cabinet pulls for a striking, modern-meets-vintage feel.
Classic white cabinets with a butcher block counter remain timeless. In one example, wood drawer pulls—unexpected but effective—harmonize with the countertops and add subtle warmth to the clean palette.
I also didn’t expect to love plywood cabinets, but some projects show how well they can work, bringing texture and an understated, natural charm to the space.
I’m fond of unexpected pops of color. Pale blue cabinets in a few kitchens create a tranquil, calming atmosphere that feels soothing and stylish at once.
Finally, one of my favorites is a compact kitchen that proves small doesn’t mean ordinary. Its predominantly white scheme makes the room feel bright, open, and effortlessly refined.
Although these kitchens showcase different styles—from industrial to classic to Scandinavian-inspired—they each have qualities that make them lovely and inspiring. If I had to choose a single direction for my own kitchen, I’d struggle, because there’s so much to admire in each approach.
Do you have a favorite look or element you’d bring into your own kitchen?
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This post was created in partnership with Wren Living. All opinions and ideas are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible.