Ideas and inspiration for a cozy blue and white kitchen that include a navy blue kitchen island, neutral quartz countertops, and minimal accessories.
When we looked at the Sugar Maple house for the first time in September of 2021, I knew it was right for us because of many things, but at the top of that list was the kitchen. It’s not a big space, but because of the open floor plan, it feels huge! I love the fact that there are no walls, and that I’m no longer closed off from what’s going on in the rest of the house.
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Cosmetic Changes
The kitchen looks very much like it did the day we moved in. The changes I made were purely cosmetic, and they gave me the opportunity to bring in my own personal style….which is slightly different than before. We switched out the sink faucet, and installed new lights. The lights have an industrial/farmhouse vibe, and the bar stools lend a modern feel to the space. We also purchased new appliances. Like in our grey and white master bathroom, I have embraced the brushed nickel metal, and actually love it very much.
A blue and white kitchen is clean and classic…but if you aren’t a lover of blue, all of these ideas can still be used by simply substituting your favorite color. Can you imagine how beautiful our kitchen would be with a dark green island? Or smoky grey?
The Navy Blue Kitchen Island
So let’s discuss the option of choosing a contrasting color for your kitchen island. There are four things to consider:
- First, you have to be sure about adding color! Cabinetry is a huge expense, and the most important element of your kitchen. It’s definitely not a place to experiment. Choosing a neutral color for kitchen cabinetry is always a safe route to go if you have ANY doubts.
- Second, choose an accent color you love. Choose a color you have lived with for many years, and that is used in other rooms of your home. I know there are exceptions to this piece of advice…but on the whole, don’t go with a new and untested color for an element as large as a kitchen island. (Note: I had already chosen navy blue cabinetry for our renovated bathrooms at the Sutton Place house. I knew for sure I loved it, so the navy blue kitchen island was perfect for us.)
- Third, keep the background cabinet color neutral. Not only is that a practical choice, it’s also a good design choice.
- Last, if you love the idea of contrasting cabinet colors, but don’t want to commit to an actual color, consider going with a wood tone. Neutral cabinetry looks beautiful with any natural wood color.
Accent Color Tip
If your kitchen can’t accommodate an island, an accent color can be added by choosing different colors for your upper and lower cabinets. A good rule of thumb is to put the darker color on the lower cabinets to ground the space…but you know how I feel about rules. They are made to be broken!
Accent Pieces
Adding color to a neutral kitchen can easily be accomplished by using well-chosen accessories. In my case, I did that with plates, pitchers, cooking utensils, and linens. Other than the island, these are the ways I brought more blue into the space.
Making A Space Your Own
Moving into a home where none of the design choices are your own is a challenge. Even if you love the choices, there’s still a nagging need to put your own mark on the space. One way I made this kitchen feel like mine was to incorporate items we brought from the Sutton Place house.
Namely, my plate rack. It’s one of my favorite pieces, and there was no way I was leaving it behind! It turns out that the Sugar Maple house has a wall space that was literally made for my rack. It hangs between the pantry door and the laundry room door in our kitchen, and it’s perfectly wonderful.
If you have followed this blog for very long, you know that before we moved, replacing the tile countertops at the Sutton Place house was at the top of my goal list. They were old, and no longer functional. My dream was to have beautiful, neutral quartz counters, so when I saw this kitchen for the first time, my heart skipped a beat. The counters are perfect, and if I could have chosen them myself, I would have picked exactly the same thing.
The Backsplash
Truth be told, and unlike the countertops, the backsplash is not something I would have chosen myself. I briefly thought about replacing it…but I really like it, it’s a classic style, and I consider grey a neutral color. Plus the same tile is used in the fireplace surround. After considering all of these things, replacing the backsplash went out of my head. It would have been a mess, and an unnecessary expense.
There are still a couple of projects I want to tackle in the coming months. Before we moved in, I added glass doors to the cabinets flanking the microwave, and the insides need to be painted to match the cabinets. (Not a job I’m looking forward to!) The sink is very scratched and worn-looking, so I would love to replace it. Other than these two things, there is nothing I want to change. At least not right now!
Update: I got the insides of the glass cabinets painted! See the image below.
Shop + Source
Click the images below to be taken directly to the product listing. Every effort has been made to provide sources for the items found in this post. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
*Affiliate links included. See my disclosure statement. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Additional Sources
- Cabinets: KraftMaid Shaker – Dove White
- Island: KraftMaid Shaker – Midnight
- Countertops: Cambria Quartz – Swanbridge
- Backsplash: I don’t have a specific source. It’s honed grey marble hexagon tile, similar to THIS.
- Wall Paint: Sherwin Williams Snowbound
Thank you so much for your kindness and friendship. From the very first time I shared that we were moving, you have all been supportive and interested. I know some of you miss the Sutton Place house, and honestly, I do too. But there is much to look forward to as we transform this new-to-us house into a home.
It’s just so lovely and a big sigh of release to se your beautiful plate rack. You were inspiration for mine my son made for me, and I love it.
Ann, I LOVE your plate rack! How was it attached to the wall?
Hi Sheryl…it’s attached to the wall with a cleat. My daughter’s boyfriend made and hung it, so I can’t give you much more information. He attached the cleat to the wall, and then just hung the plate rack. I hope this helps!
Beautiful kitchen Ann, I love the brushed nickel as well!
I am delighted for u!!! I so enjoy your blog. I feel you are a much loved neighbor. It wouldn’t look like your kitchen without the beloved plate rack.
Please tell me more about the KraftMaid cabinets. Could you just buy the glass from doors and make the change? No service personnel needed?
Are they wood? Come in colors? Help!
Keep your post coming.
Hi Nan…KraftMaid comes in a million different colors and wood tones. It’s available at Lowe’s, but it’s also available from building supply stores that specialize in cabinetry. I just took the original doors to a local glass company and had them replace the wood insert with glass. It was very budget-friendly and made a big difference.
Ann, it’s sooooo beautiful! I actually love the backsplash with the quartz countertops! I’m so happy for you!
You new kitchen is lovely, Ann. So glad to see you brought along your plate rack to the sugar maple house. I’m sure it’s fun to add your own personal touches and make it feel more like home. Love to see your fresh flowers adding a splash of color! Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures, your thoughts along the way, and the resource guide. Happy Sunday! Spring will arrive in another month, then you will be busy planting and putting your ‘special touch’ on the outside of your home. Enjoy!!
Simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story in this new chapter of your life.
I remember that you didn’t love your kitchen on Sutton Place and I’m so happy that you now have a kitchen you enjoy being in!
My own kitchen is very much like yours and I love it! I was wondering where you keep your coffee maker? We have a Keurig that stays on the counter and it seems to clutter the counter.
Hi Jan…I actually keep my Keurig on the counter! I just realized that it’s not showing in any of the pictures, which was not on purpose. It sits at the end of the counter to the right of the stove. I keep my k-cups and mugs in the cabinet above it. I did purchase a pretty navy blue model when we moved…but before that I had stainless steel.
I love your kitchen design. I personally like the backsplash. It has personality and style. So glad you are happy and you left behind of those old ceramic tiles you despised and got the quartz of your dream! Makes me want a new kitchen!!