Why does everyone seem to congregate in the kitchen?
For starters, it’s the heartbeat and social hub of the home. It’s where the action is. It also sparks memories from childhood as mom made you and your friends her specialty, whatever that may have been.
Today, it’s where we all do our very best Gordon Ramsay impersonation while we burn toast let alone try to master a Beef Wellington. Oh…is that just me?
Truth be told, each of us has a dish that we could routinely execute to the delight of most who choose to sample it. The anticipation of home cooked meals while enjoying the company of family and friends always seems to be centered around the kitchen.
It’s why we have nine seating options available in our kitchen. The space is not overly large. However, it is comfortable enough for the chef (my husband) to be able to handle their respective business while still being a part of the pre-meal social. It is a warm and inviting space which is important.
More than anything else, when decorating a kitchen, form and function should stand front and center. While designing this kitchen, I knew I wanted to create some intrigue. I did this by incorporating three components that I believed would stand out:
- The copper farm sink
- The gray custom vent hood
- The brick backsplash
I wanted to create something unexpected and this combination did just that. 
We chose brick for our backsplash.
I’ve had many questions over time about the brick. Real bricks were used and cut down before being applied to the wall.
We had the installer leave the mortar “messy” to give the brick more of a vintage look.
I mainly select useful items to display on my countertops. I want them to provide balance while complimenting my theme within the space. You can read more about that here.
The hand wash and lotion set are a must-have, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful.
This is my favorite candle. I always have one in my kitchen and it’s the perfect gift too! 
Bar stools are great for guests or for a quick meal.
The breakfast room provides most of the light for the kitchen. We enjoy the space and eat most of our meals here.
I have seating options within this social gathering spot. But, as we routinely see, our guests will stand and chat while enjoying a beverage…in the kitchen. It’s that safe and nostalgic space from our childhood.
It’s where the action is. It is where we can try and presumably fail to imitate our favorite chefs. It is the social hub within the home. I hope you enjoy making memories with your family and friends in your very own kitchen.
Sources:
Hand Wash and Lotion
Cake Stand
Utensil Holder
Dinnerware
Bar Stools
Copper Sink
Breakfast Room Chairs
Breakfast Room Chandelier
*Similar items linked when online source is unavailable
*Some affiliate links have been used
Jen! Everything is gorgeous!! I absolutely adore your vent hood and backsplash too! Love the vintage look…star of the show (but then there are many stars in this kitchen!). Thanks for another great post!! 🙂
I love the pendant lights where can I find them?!
Thank you Hailey! I purchased them locally, but they are by Aidan Gray Home.
Hi,Jennifer ,I’m coming over Rhoda’s at Southern Hospitality. Rhoda features some really beautiful homes. Your home is an exceptional pick. I love your kitchen,I plan to copy. Your have more talent than the average decorator. Will be back to visit.
Hello Sue, Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving such a kind comment. I agree, Rhoda features some very beautiful homes and I was so flattered that she chose to feature mine after seeing it here and on my Instagram. There are many more pictures of my kitchen on my Instagram (@decorgold) if you care to see additional details. Good luck with your kitchen project!
Hi Jen! I would like to know the name of your kitchen granite. It would be perfect for my kitchen too.
Hi Carlee! It is called white galaxy. Try to pick your slab because this color can have more variation and red in it. Good luck with your project!!! xoxo, Jennifer
HI,
Where did you get your breakfast table? LOVE it! Thanks!
Hello! Thank you! The table is actually over ten years old and I painted it to update it. I’m looking for a similar one and will do a blog post about round tables when I find it.
Hello!
I have a quick question about your brick. We plan to do the exact same in our kitchen, but there aren’t very many others who have done it, so finding info is hard! I was wondering about the cleanability of it being behind the range, and if you’ve had any issues with it? I see your kitchen sink is in your island, and ours is overlooking a window, so the brick will be among the sink area also. In your experience, would you still recommend the brick? Did you have it sealed? Also, could you mention the source for it?? Thanks for all your help & any info you might have!
Hi Raechel! We used the same brick that is on the exterior of our home. It is an Acme brick, but it has since been discontinued and I don’t know of a close match. We did not have it sealed because I wanted an older, existing brick look. As far as cleaning it, we honestly don’t cook with much oil or grease so I’m not sure how it would hold up if you do. Water from the sink shouldn’t be a problem. Hope this helps!
It does! Thanks!
Hello! I always run across your pictures on Instagram…… and they are my favorite! I just LOVE how your incorporated so many elements! Your kitchen has to be my favorite! I was curious what color you used on your walls? They seem to be a perfectly cool neutral. Thanks so much!
Hi Steph! Thank you so much! The walls are a light taupe color, but the paint is a custom blend. Sorry!!!
Hello!
This is all so beautiful! We have been working on kitchen and updating . We painted the walls a pretty warm white and the surrounding room areas a light gray. The cabinets are primed and I am also doing black, white and gray cabinets. The existing pantry French doors are black and will stay black. Your kitchen inspired my change and vision. Can you share cabinet paint colors? Especially the gray custome hood and island would be very helpful. Thank you and love your style!
Xoxo
Laura
Wow Laura! Your update sounds incredible! I wish I had paint colors to share. Our cabinet maker just provided us with samples and they were painted off site. If you would like to send me an email, I’ll be glad to send you some closeups and you can take them to your paint store for a match. Just a couple of notes, the hood is more of a taupe color and I would suggest something like Black Magic by Pittsburg for the black. Anything deeper would look different than my selection. Hope this helps! [email protected]
Your kitchen is very beautiful! o nice to see the bricks used like that. My son is a brick mason and he did that on an ugly fireplace that I had several years ago and he left the mortar like that too. It looks really great, I think.
Thank you Cindy! I really enjoy the texture the bricks provide. I bet your son does lovely work!
I just came over from Kelley Nan and love your house! We are currently building and I would love to know what your flooring is? Thank you so much!
Thank you April! So glad you stopped by. The wood is hand scraped hickory by Shaw, but this color has been discontinued. I hope you can find something similar! Good luck with your building project!!!
Hi! I came across this kitchen on insta..and it was love at first sight i loveee every little detail its Amazing this is my dream kitchen! Can u share the color paint your island is it would be a great help ty so much. I love your work!!!!
Hi Toby! Thank you!!! The island was installed by our builder and while we were able to choose the color, it came as an option from our cabinet company, and not as a paint store color. It is a blueish gray though and you may be able to have your paint store match it to the pictures. Hope this helps!
Hi! I love your kitchen! Can you tell me if your back cabinets are a dark brown or a black?
Hi Morgan! Thank you! They are black. xoxo
Your kitchen is so pretty! I live the pendants – could you tell me where you found those? Thanks!
Thank you Cindy! I actually got them from a local furniture store, but to my knowledge, they are discontinued. If I find something similar, I’ll definitely post it on my Sources page.
HI Jen,
It’s Maureen again! I asked you a question about your beautiful console in your living room. I recently discovered your blog and am now obsessed with it! Everything you do is amazing! We are getting ready to remodel our kitchen which is on the smaller side. I really want an island and I’m trying to make it work. Your island looks like the prefect size.. If it’s not too much trouble, I was wondering if you could give me the dimensions because I’d like to see if it would work in our space. Thank you so much!
Maureen
Yes, I’ll follow up with dimensions soon. Thank you for such a sweet compliment!!! xoxo
Great! Thanks so much!
Maureen
Love your kitchen! Also love the vintage looking shutters next to the window in the dining area. Can you tell me where you purchased those? thank you
Thank you so much! We purchased the shutters in Houston at an antiques show.
Hello, I love your kitchen! We are also using brick but not sure which mortar to go with ..did you use gray or white . My husband is a mason and feels we should go gray, which color did you use? Thanks for your reply.
Hi Tara,
I’m not sure of the color of mortar, but I think it was closer to white than gray. I hope this helps. Good luck with your project!