REFRESH

Homburg Gray by SherwinWilliams

BEFORE & AFTER

Natural Renovation

Marie Jeffery updates a Bentonville kitchen with a calm palette and expanded storage

WRITER TIFFANY ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHER RETT PEEK STYLIST STEPH SMITH

BEFORE

After 15 years in her home, Jami McFeeters was ready for an update. She called designer Marie Jeffery to go all in on a full-home renovation, focusing some of the biggest changes in the hub of the home: the kitchen. Here, the home still featured builder-grade selections and had been fully lived in since its construction. “She wanted it to be a little more functional and to feel clean and calm— especially since she works from home now,” Marie says.

Starting with the bones of the room, the designer specified easy-to-clean, wood-look tile flooring to replace dark hardwoods. Without adding square footage, she extended the room visually with a third row of cabinets that sit atop existing wall cabinets. This also gave more storage space for less frequently used items, such as pitchers and platters. Next, an over-range microwave was traded for a built-in drawer version, allowing for the addition of a beautiful wood-slat vent hood, and the cabinets were painted and topped with Caesarstone’s “Misty Carrera” counters.

In terms of style, Marie notes the predominant earthy green hue gives the space a slightly masculine and organic feel. “Earth tones were a big deal to Jami, and she liked that I was leaning natural for the cabinetry paint color and bar stain,” the designer says. A textured backsplash and mix of gold and black hardware play into this aesthetic and finish out the space.

Across the room, a built-in desk was removed to make way for a bar constructed from stained white oak, a finish echoed on the barstools and hood trim. Concealed storage on either side of the bar functions as a pantry. BEFORE

“She wanted it to be functional and feel clean and calm.”

—Marie Jeffery, designer

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1

RAISE THE BAR The newly constructed bar area not only has a wine rack and serving counter but also loads of storage. A white oak finish and ring-style hardware elevate its look.

2

MAKE IT UNIFORM Relocating the microwave allowed for the creation of a range hood. Streamlined slats painted the same color as the cabinetry bring style without drawing overt attention.

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PUT ON THE POLISH A brass pull-down faucet makes quick work of dirty dishes, and its side single lever offers an easy way to turn it on and off. A matching built-in soap dispenser keeps the area free of clutter.

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BRING ON THE TEXTURE Marie searched high and low for just the right barstools to complete the dine-in island. Their woven backs play off the texture seen on the backsplash.

Design Resources CONTRACTOR Marie Jeffery, Marie Jeffery Design and Jesus Gonzalez, Speedy Gonzalez Construction INTERIOR DESIGN Marie Jeffery, Marie Jeffery Design ACCESSORIES AND LIGHTING Marie Jeffery Design APPLIANCES Metro Appliances & More CABINETRY AND MILLWORK Carter’s Custom Woodwork and Cabinetry COUNTERTOPS New Century Counter Tops FLOORING AND TILE Flooring America by CarpetSmart PAINT Sherwin-Williams PAINTING Speedy Gonzalez Construction WINDOW COVERINGS Pottery Barn