A tired kitchen has been reimagined into the most classic space – and it proves white is still the most timeless color you can choose
It perfectly bridges the gap between modern and traditional


A kitchen really is an investment, especially if you're undergoing a full remodel. So designing a space that speaks to your style while also feeling utterly timeless is key to ensuring you love it for years to come.
And while there may be talks of white kitchen ideas being out of style this year, when done right, it can be the most classic kitchen color – and it's been demonstrated beautifully in this project.
A dated space has been given a transitional makeover to create a kitchen full of texture, interest, and timeless style. From the classic color palette to the personalized touches, there's plenty we can all learn from this transformation.
Designer Elizabeth Bolognino described the original kitchen as 'a bit of a mess.' Heavy door details, cracked surfaces, and an outdated porcelain tile layout left it needing a big refresh.
Thankfully, the existing kitchen has great bones, which gave her a solid base to work from. 'This kitchen cabinetry was in excellent shape, so instead of ripping out the boxes, we reused them. It saved so much money, not to mention trees,' she explains.
'I had to replace all of the appliances, given the existing openings of the original cabinetry. Renovating with the environment in mind is so important, and I’m so glad we reused part of the original kitchen. You don’t have to rip out to renovate.'
The new kitchen is a far cry from the dated space it once was. The white kitchen feels bright and airy, with added warmth from the aged brass and wooden accents. It exudes classic style and timeless appeal in abundance.
'Our kitchen walks that fine line between traditional and contemporary. It’s really important to renovate in a way that won’t age to protect a homeowner’s investment. We err on the side of classical, but with a clean, layered, minimalist approach. Honor tradition, but reinterpret it,' says Elizabeth.
Shaker cabinets are a hallmark of traditional kitchen design, and they bring a beautiful texture to the design, embellished with brass kitchen cabinet hardware. But it's the use of white that brings in something a bit more contemporary.
And it's been brought onto the kitchen island too, which boasts a beautiful statement countertop. 'The island stone is gorgeous, Calacatta Turquoise Antico. I love that it has plum tones that fade to turquoise towards the oven side of my island,' she says.
'I paired them with straight Calacatta Turquoise on the outer cabinets of our kitchen. The entire kitchen is honed, and we found the stones at ABC Stone in NYC.' Taking the more statement stone up the backsplash creates a stylish focal point and instantly brings in more visual interest to balance the white cabinetry.
One of the standout features is the new range hood, which adds a warmer finish to the scheme. 'With the help of my friends at RBL Metals, we created a custom hood to accent the La Dolce Vita range by Officine Gullo,' says Elizabeth. It picks up on the warmer tones used for the hardware and light fixtures, adding a more cohesive look.
And the range cooker is the standout feature for Elizabeth. 'The Officine Gullo range and burnished brass hood paired with Thomas O’Brien’s (he’s one of my idols) pendants create a beautiful triad.'
The dark wood dining table is the piece that really gives this kitchen that welcoming, family feel. Its deep tones, beautifully turned legs, and the slightly lighter chairs signal that this is a space to enjoy and spend time in, not just be used as a functional room.
There's a truly lived-in quality to this kitchen. A white scheme filled with clean lines and contemporary touches can instantly feel cold, but the decorative details in this space add warmth, texture, and a sense of personality.
The kitchen countertop decor is crucial to this – from the vase full of branches and abundant fruit bowl on the island to the open recipe book and collection of kitchenware displayed beside the range, the space feels curated but not fussy, lived-in yet not cluttered.
If there's anything you can take away from this kitchen, it's how to expertly toe the line between modern and traditional. Elizabeth has achieved a refined elegance that's not easy to do, with just the right amount of texture, interest, and decor to create a space that feels timeless and filled with personality.
Shop the look
A pretty cookbook holder isn't just great as a decorative accessory, but it's really useful when you're cooking. This iron bobbin design is a timeless choice.
Remodeling a kitchen is all about finding the balance between creating a space that feels reminiscent of your style while ensuring it won't feel dated in five years. Transitional kitchens are favored for this approach, or for something with a bit more playfulness, you can also experiment with midimalist kitchen ideas. However, you design your space, make sure you infuse it with character and personality – a sterile room will never truly feel like home.
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I’ve worked in the interiors magazine industry for the past five years and joined Homes & Gardens at the beginning of 2024 as the Kitchens & Bathrooms editor. While I love every part of interior design, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most exciting to design, conceptualize, and write about. There are so many trends, materials, colors, and playful decor elements to explore and experiment with.
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