Kitchen of the Week: Light and Airy With a Bright Backsplash

A designer helps a couple update the kitchen with an efficient layout and custom details like a walnut-topped peninsula

Bryan and Heather Kurey looked at their dysfunctional kitchen and considered moving into a new home. The aging oak cabinets, oversize breakfast area and lack of countertops didn’t create a welcoming space for a couple who love to cook. But they soon realized that most of the homes they considered buying also had kitchens that needed updating. The couple looked at photos on Houzz and other sources and became inspired to remodel what they had.

They hired designer Lisa Quina, who had helped them renovate other areas of the late-1930s home in Arlington, Virginia. Quina relocated appliances, added windows, enlarged an opening to the family room, improved storage and used local artisans for custom details that add character. Now the family enjoys a brighter kitchen that combines classic, industrial and modern design elements to better reflect its style and love of cooking.