How to Feature Blue in a Dramatic Kitchen Redesign

Whitney Nelson of Granite State Cabinetry channeled a decade’s worth of experience designing kitchens into reimagining a kitchen, recently featured in Cambria Style magazine, with assertive use of blue. As our conversation continues beyond the pages of Cambria Style, she discusses layering with intention, a quotation that’s become a guiding light, and more.

What were your first steps in reimagining this kitchen?

My first step in this project was to ensure there was a striking focal point. The refrigerator in the original layout just wasn’t cutting it. I also knew this kitchen was screaming for a better flow of traffic. To make that happen, I decided to rework the pantry area (that had a sliding barn door) to house the refrigerator. That move then gave me a great wall that allowed me to create something that screams, “Look at me!”

When making a central choice like cabinet color, how do you think of it in relation to other elements that will exist in visual conversation with it?

Cabinets are a visual anchor for the kitchen; so when choosing the cabinet color, I definitely think ahead to what finishes would complement it rather than compete with it. This would depend on the shade of blue. In this case, we chose a deep navy blue by Benjamin Moore called Hale Navy. I then started to think ahead to my countertop color, and that’s where Cambria provides a large array of choices to help pull in all the finishes and textures that I want to coexist within the space together.

Adding Cambria Style to a Kitchen Conversation

What led you to use Cambria?

I turn to Cambria when I want a kitchen to convey that luxury feel. Cambria is unmatched in terms of its offerings. The design choices provided by Cambria allow the space to feel elevated no matter what direction you are heading for the outcome, whether that’s soft and serene or something more bold and powerful.  

With a space like a kitchen, how do you ensure function without compromising style?  

The kitchen, over time, has really become a room that has to be designed with the same level of attention as a living room or dining area. Most homes are open-concept plans and are visible to other areas of the home, making their design an important part of the overall aesthetic. The workflow, storage needs, appliance placement, and traffic patterns all are at the forefront when I approach a space—since those are the primary needs of that space. Once you have the foundation of the layout, that is when the fun begins with adding its personality and character. Custom cabinetry, eye-catching countertops, layered lighting, furniture-inspired details, and decorative hardware all add to making the space feel inviting and intentional.  

Layering Without Overwhelming

How do you layer color and texture without overwhelming the space? 

I once read a quote that “Great design is not about matching, it’s about creating interest with complementary textures and materials.” I have this written on a sticky note at my desk, and I’m not sure where or when I read that quote, or who even said it, but I often think about it. When layering in elements, I visualize in my head how this may make the space feel. I edit throughout the process and often step back and assess the balance. My goal is to create depth but without clutter.

For example, in this kitchen, the adjacent wall with the windows needed something, but I didn’t want to distract from the focal point wall, which houses the range hood and full-height splash. So I intentionally chose to add a textured limestone tile that was similar in tone to the wall color we chose. It provides texture without being distracting. Another element was adding backplates to the hardware on the island only rather than every cabinet in the room.   

Will you discuss the process of talking through important kitchen design decisions with a client? 

In my opinion, a well-planned layout sets the tone and serves as the foundation for everything else. In my former career, I was a math teacher. I still see myself as an educator to my clients every day when discussing pros and cons of each option or layout choices. By listening to the clients’ needs and how they actually live in their space, it leads me to the best layout in terms of cabinetry and appliance selection for them.

Is there anything you’d like to share about this space?

What I love about this space is the sheer size of it. When you look at the original photo, the room feels small or meek. Without moving any walls around—with the exception of taking out the pantry closet to tuck in the refrigerator, the room feels as if we are in a different house.