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A Modern Mix

A Small Kitchen Gets a Big Reno

Stacy Jacobi and her husband David are expert movers, which is what happens when one moves 17 times in 17 years. From one end of the country to the other, the Jacobis decided in 2018 to settle down for a while in Knoxville and purchased a 1930s brick home in Old Westmoreland, which had already undergone a renovation in the mid-1990s. The small kitchen was mostly functional, but the Jacobis were no strangers to a renovation. They knew exactly how to make that kitchen sing.

“The old kitchen had an L-shaped peninsula, and it was a small space to begin with. There was no way to expand it, and the peninsula really limited the moveability of the space,” says Stacy. “We took the small space and opened it up. Now it’s a five-foot island and it’s open. You’re not boxed in anymore.” 

The goals of the kitchen reno were specific: draw the eyes up, keep it clean yet warm, and avoid matchy-matchy. No one wanted a kitchen that looked like it was plucked out of a catalogue. 

After removing the peninsula and ripping out the ‘90s cabinets, the kitchen was rebuilt by moving the sink to the island, opening up the top cabinetry, and installing a 900-lb. piece of marble against the main wall. The color palette was white and bright with spots of warmth, translated primarily through mixed metals and a darker shade on the inside of the open cabinets.

“People say brass is gonna be trendy again, but trends will be what they’ll be. If you like aged brass, use it. I used polished nickel and antique brass in the kitchen. Bring two metals together but limit your palette,” she says. “Pick a main one and let the other be an accent. If everything is too matchy-matchy, then it’s too trendy. Keep it eclectic, like everything has been added over time.”

Instead of putting big bucks into appliances like double ovens, as wonderful as they are, focus on finishes that still make a splash but don’t break the bank. 

“Spend money on finishes that stand the test of time,” says Stacy. “That’s why we can go back to an old house in Sequoyah Hills and find subway tile that still works. You can’t beat the price.” 

Stacy recommends perusing TJ Maxx or HomeGoods for simple, inexpensive everyday dinnerware, such as the all-white dishes she found, to help keep those open cabinets looking clutter-free. However, not having matching dishes shouldn’t keep homeowners from playing around with the concept of open cabinetry. 

“It pulls your eyes up, and there’s no reason to keep your things hidden,” she says. “I love that you can change things out for the holidays, so it’s both display and functionality.”

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