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Reimagining a kitchen within a small footprint can be a challenge. But Sophia Lee, founder, CEO and principal designer of By Sophia Lee, tackled this 150-square-foot space with zeal.
Lee set out to maximize utility and efficiency while melding the kitchen’s design with the traditional style of the home, a 1940s colonial in Whitefish Bay. Previous renovations had stripped the room of any original details, so wood beams were installed, providing an architectural element while also making the space seem larger.
In a small space, every choice must be carefully considered. Here, Lee explains how she navigated the decision-making process, resulting in a cozy yet highly functional kitchen.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Embrace Color
“A classic kitchen doesn’t have to be white!” says Lee, who chose Downing Earth by Sherwin Williams for the cabinets. “It can be daunting to choose a bolder hue, especially in a small space, but the result shows that you can create a timeless kitchen while still having fun with color.”
Mind the Gaps
“When I saw the rendering of the cabinetry, it looked way too heavy. Even though it cost us some storage space, we added a little bit of open shelving to break things up.”
Mix and Match
“Every space I design has to have at least two types of metals. I’ll never do just brass or just polished nickel. In this space, we have brass hardware, but the finish on the sconces is black. The more metals you have, the more high-end it looks.”
Go Natural
“I like to use natural materials whenever possible,” says Lee, who chose slate for the flooring and marble for the counters and backsplash. “There is no prettier material than marble, and this is a very affordable type called Bianco Carrara.”
Conceal Appliances
“A small kitchen can feel appliance-heavy fast. Paneled appliances help combat that, making them worth the investment.”
A Touch of Luxe
“Instead of a traditional toe kick, we opted for a furniture-style base, making everything feel much more upscale and custom.”
Integrate Texture
To balance out the many smooth surfaces, Lee chose dining chairs with woven seats and backs. “They add texture, which is so important, and they pick up on the warmth of the ceiling beams.”
