Teal closets, Spanish-inspired tile plus a cozy breakfast nook assisted choose this kitchen Los Angeles from packed to charming. The owners, a family of four, wanted their kitchen to fit into the home’s 1920s architecture but have all the modern amenities. For the renovation, designer Erica Islas knocked out walls, played with bright accents and integrated smart lighting to start up the space.
Erica Islas / EMI Interior Design, Inc..
A breakfast nook takes up less space than a normal table and feels cozier to boot. “It is always a great option under windows when you have an empty corner like this,” states Islas. The seat cushions were tailored with a mattress advantage for a thorough finish, and Islas discovered an ideal vintage 1920s lighting fixture at a local antiques store.
Cabinetry: custom by Erica Islas; backsplash: Malecon and White Malecon field tile, Montecarlo Tile; countertop: Blizzard, Caesarstone
Before Photo
Erica Islas / EMI Interior Design, Inc..
BEFORE: The original kitchen was too small for the family to hang in. Islas took the wall separating the cooking distance from the table to open things up and allow light to stream in. Although the kitchen is right next to the dining area, she wished to maintain a casual dining area for breakfast and dinner.
Erica Islas / EMI Interior Design, Inc..
Roman shades open from the surface, in place of the bottom, allowing light in while maintaining privacy.
A kitchen desk becomes the ultimate communication center when equipped with a customized corkboard, a built-in dry erase board and a chalkboard.
Lighting: Dispela; floors: San Felipe, Arto; breakfast: habit by Erica Islas; window seat fabric: Sunbrella
Erica Islas / EMI Interior Design, Inc..
Islas transported the soffit across the whole room, making it feel more intimate and providing her the liberty to use lights down for ambience. “With old houses, electric is obviously a challenge as you are dealing with needing to upgrade wiring and adding in more circuit breakers, which costs money and ends up eating into budgets,” she states.
Sink: Kohler; faucet: Rohl; teal cupboard color: Turtle Lake, Dunn Edwards; glass knobs: Anthropologie
Erica Islas / EMI Interior Design, Inc..
Islas started off with the San Felipe pattern flooring tile and chose up a Spanish tile for the backsplash. A palette of terra cottas, whites and teal accents felt just like a natural fit. Islas utilized the teal on the cabinetry, tile and window seat fabric to tie the room together.
“After” photographs: David Young-Wolff