Create a dream kitchen with these 3 clever ideas

Take your kitchen to the next level with these three elements.

this kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Studio McGee is high-end and yet still retains cozy cottage charm.

If you’re looking to get

your own dream kitchen this year, here are some ideas to help you on your way.

• CABINETS AND BACKSPLASH. Two-tone cabinets paired with a Calacatta marble backsplash keep things clean and chic. The gray lower cabinets ground the space, while the white upper cabinets add to the dreamy feel. The marble ties the two together with its tones. “By not wrapping the upper cabinets all the way around the kitchen and doing two-toned cabinets, [we made] this kitchen feel customized,” says the Studio McGee team. “We made the space feel larger and grander by taking the Calacatta marble backsplash all the way up to the ceiling.”

• OPEN SHELVES. Closed cabinets and open shelves allow for the best of both worlds. You can hide your everyday essentials in the cabinets and display the prettiest dishes and serving platters on the open shelves. “Open shelving is a great way to bring character and charm to the space; it opens it up and gives you a chance to show off your favorite kitchen supplies,” the Studio McGee team says.

• DETAILS. Just like jewelry can make an outfit, accessories can make a space. The sconces above the sink and the cabinet knobs and drawer-pulls are polished brass, while the faucet is polished nickel. This combination blends the trendy with the timeless. “The polished nickel faucet balances out the brass details in the kitchen, so it feels timeless instead of trendy,” the Studio McGee team says.