KITCHEN Splurges

Designer Nicole Salceda used to be an elementary school teacher, and understands the importance of spaces for families to spend time together. “We spend so much time in our kitchen, and it’s the focal point around our daily life,” she says. Here are several places to splurge in your kitchen.

1. MARBLE COUNTERTOPS. While marble is a high-maintenance surface compared to some other alternatives, nothing works as well to create a classic, bright kitchen. “I chose to use marble for its natural beauty, flaws and all,” Nicole says. “It’s more of an investment, but it was a non-negotiable for me.” The stunning surface is timeless.

2. APPLIANCES. Whether or not you’re a cook in the kitchen, appliances will add more value to the space. “I’m not a chef by any stretch, so the fancy French range was purely because I loved the aesthetic of it,” Nicole says. “It's timeless and classic, so I knew it would age well and also perform well.” The La Cornue Range takes center stage in her kitchen design and elevates the space for the gourmet and home cook alike.

3. CUSTOM CABINETRY. When it comes to choosing cabinetry, consider more than just the paint color. “Cabinets are another splurge item, as I advise to invest in highquality kitchen cabinets,” Nicole says. “They will be used often.” Nicole herself worked with local cabinet makers to get just the right layout for her renovated kitchen.

" I wanted our home to feel comfortable and inviting with nothing overly done or fussy. It gives space to breathe.”

BEFORE

To create the kitchen of her dreams, Nicole pushed back a wall to create enough room for a large center island. She replaced the windows and painted custom cabinetry a bright white. “One of my favorite architectural details are the two skylights above the island and the cedar beams that run across them,” she says. “The amount of natural light this achieved has been truly amazing. Everyone that walks into our kitchen mentions how bright and cheerful it is.”