The Nut House

I had been working with this lovely family for years when they finally decided it was time to take on their kitchen. Their only direction? “Just don’t make it look like a typical kitchen.” Challenge accepted.

That meant no standard white cabinets, no faux quartz, no subway tile, no modern farmhouse—none of the usual suspects.

Instead, we pulled rich hues from surrounding spaces in their home—hello, violet, rust, and blue-green! It all started with the cabinetry. Funny enough, I had just completed a kitchen project where the client almost went with a soft teal for months, only to pivot to creamy white at the last second. It was the right choice in the end, but I couldn’t stop thinking about that teal. This project was the perfect chance to bring it to life.

Once that was locked in, I knew the range and hood had to be the stars of the show. The client isn’t afraid of bold choices, so a custom-colored range was a no-brainer. We considered a few options-burnt orange, warm taupe—but ultimately landed on a bold matte plum with brass accents, paired with a striking brass hood.

I had originally envisioned Viola marble, but anyone who’s been to a stone yard knows you never get exactly what you expect. Luckily, we came across a stunning slab of Fantastico Arni that skewed more purple than its usual gray—it was meant to be. A brass faucet and hardware, French-inspired pendants, casual leather-woven stools, and a vintage rust-colored runner brought in the warmth and character we were after.

I’m so proud of how this space came together-and so grateful for clients who trusted the process. They’re thrilled, and we can both agree: it’s far from boring, and definitely not typical. Can’t wait for the next opportunity to dream big with BlueStar’s custom colors!