Jennifer Jason Leigh and the Property Brothers' stunning kitchen remodel maximizes storage with thoughtful, modern design
On Celebrity IOU, Jennifer Jason Leigh collaborated with the Scott Brothers to transform a family friend's kitchen into the heart of her home
Every week on HGTV's Celebrity IOU, Drew and Johnathan Scott work with our favorite actors to renovate the home of one of their loved ones. This week, the property brothers collaborated with Jennifer Jason Leigh. The group rebuilt her longtime family friend's kitchen and living room for one of the most stunning results we've seen on the show.
Leigh chose to work with the Scott Brothers on the home renovation of her longtime family friend Nori, and her husband, Ely. Jennifer jokes: 'I’ve always wanted to give her the moon, and now I get to give her something that she can’t return.' Nori is an amazing chef and frequently cooks meals for 12 to 14 people. Thus, the kitchen remodel needed to reflect her penchant for hosting. At the same time, functionality was a must-have, and Leigh, Johnathan and Drew prioritized the practical in almost every aspect of this design.
Although the sleek white cabinets and gold hardware convey that aesthetics were important in this space, kitchen storage was the number one aspect the trio focused on in this redesign of Nori's home. Top and bottom cupboards were optimized for storage with the integration of drawers, and the building of large cabinets above the refrigerator. Drew and Johnathan integrated banquette seating in the dining space, allowing them to build further cabinetry on either side of the table. Not only does this space look beautiful, but it functions beautifully as well.
In addition to the large amount of storage, Leigh and the Scotts optimized the modern kitchen by using durable materials. They selected a white and gray marbled porcelain for the countertops and the backsplash which will last for years and years to come. It's known as one of the most long-lasting kitchen countertop options. Additionally, the choice of white cabinets is extremely durable because the shade is completely timeless. No matter the year, Nori will be able to keep this color and her kitchen will look brand new. An abundance of natural light makes it a pleasant room in which to spend time, creating sustainability in the space long-term.
The final focus in Nori's neutral living room and white kitchen was integrating personal touches. This is an essential element to creating spaces that you want to live in. For instance, the brothers worked with an artist to build a memorial to Nori's son on one of the shelves. They also refurbished a sentimental butcher block that was previously used in Leigh's mother's kitchen to be used as a small alternative to a kitchen island.
Shop H&G's Modern Kitchen Edit
No matter the style of your kitchen, integrating chrome and a touch of marble give it an elevated and modern feel. These pieces from Target and Williams Sonoma are a few of our favorites.
Gray and White
This circular marble trivet is a beautiful addition to any kitchen and would perfectly complement plain white counters
Modern Shape
This heavy marble utensil holder adds a touch of glamor to any kitchen
If you hope to recreate the look, think first of how you can maximize the storage that you already have. One of the best ways to maximize storage space in your cabinets is by integrating a few of the best kitchen organizers. Sometimes making your kitchen more functional is just about making the best use of your lower and upper cabinets.
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Jennifer Jason Leigh's creation for Celebrity IOU is the perfect inspiration.
Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.
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