Hello Lovely’s Favorite Kitchen Renovation Elements

By now you know I’m a believer in unfussy, freshened traditional style that feels timeless and ignores trends. I can’t say I’m a traditionalist since I like an evolved look that isn’t easily dated. There are certain kitchen design elements I stay loyal to because I can’t argue with how well they work for our lifestyle and how they have come to feel like home. Here are examples of such elements from our recent kitchen renovation as well as the last one. Find plenty of resources and ideas to shop the look.

Hello Lovely's renovated Modern French kitchen with Amber Lewis/Loloi runner, F&B Pavilion Gray cabinets, and skirted farm sink.
Find info about the Loloi rug in THIS.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Hello Lovely’s Favorite Kitchen Renovation Resources

Apron Front Farm Sink

What can I say!?! It’s a design element you can never just add later on a whim! While a few folks might place it in a trendy category, farm sinks fall in and out of favor.

Hello Lovely's farm sink (Hyannis-30 from Nantucket Sinks) in renovated kitchen with Viatera Muse counters and Waterworks Julia faucet. #farmsinks #farmhousesink
Nantucket Sinks Hyannis Farmhouse sink above is HERE

These hardworking vessels have been around for ages and added so much character to our last two kitchens. Also, as a lover of bright white, they deliver a sense of clean along with their suggestion of age and tradition.

Shaker kitchen with 30" Reinhard fireclay farm sink, Viatera Minuet quartz, and polished venatino marble subway tile backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio. #farmsink
Hello Lovely’s Kitchen Renovation Resources to shop the look: Signature Hardware Reinhard 30″ Farmhouse Sink is HERE.

Remodeling or designing a kitchen from scratch? This fireclay sink post may help you determine whether the kitchen sink style is right for you.

Marble Subway Tile Backsplash

Choosing a quartz countertop for our last kitchen’s remodel was far more difficult than deciding on a marble backsplash. Just a reminder, it’s smart to select a backsplash AFTER the cabinetry and counters are decided upon.

Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.
We loved this Polished Venatino Marble Subway Mosaic for our previous kitchen renovation

Before we installed the polished venatino marble subway mosaic tile backsplash (from counter to ceiling), I laid every tile on the floor just as I wanted it on the wall. Then I sealed the marble before my husband installed then grouted it. That was a particularly straightforward and simple process since each mosaic tile was roughly 11×11.

Vintage marmalade jar collection in my kitchen with calacatta gold marble tile in kitchen - Hello Lovely Studio.
Our exact Marble Backsplash Tile at the Georgian

The process was not nearly as simple for our recent kitchen renovation where I chose 3×6 Calacatta Gold marble subway tiles for the backsplash:

Calacatta Gold 3x6 subway tile for backsplash
Calcatta Gold 3″ x 6″ Subway Tile – Hello Lovely’s Kitchen Renovation Resources to shop the look

The kitchen was so torn up at the time that I couldn’t easily lay out all the tile and seal them. Instead, we separated them into piles (bright white, creamy, heavy veined, grey, etc.), and my husband varied them. What was unexpected (and terrifying!) was how they all looked yellow once installed! It took a full week for them to dry and look warmly white as we wanted.

Amber Lewis x Loloi runner rug in my modern French kitchen with Muse quartz (Viatera) - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #greykitchens #viateramuse

Remember that choosing a natural stone for your backsplash comes with some uncertainty. Stone is porous and permeable. Within natural stone are minerals and substances unseen that may become activated when wet. Likewise, there are minerals and deposits in the water used for the wet saw and installation. Finally, there are pigments in mortar and grout which can possibly interact. But don’t freak out if things look off while they are wet or ungrouted. Dry time varies, and grout always transforms and unifies the overall look.

Kitchen Renovation Resources: Terracotta Urns & Ironstone Accents

More white for a white or mostly white kitchen?

Breakfast nook with turret and Thomas O'Brien Elizabeth chandelier in gilded iron - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #breakfastnooks
Hello Lovely’s Kitchen Renovation Resources to shop the look

Hahahaha – yes, indeed.

This particular rustic terracotta urn was great on my wonky vintage steel cart and works in our new kitchen too. Branches, dried hydrangea, white roses…they’re all gonna work in this baby.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
30″ Fireclay Farm Sink: Signature Hardware (Reinhard). Kohler Parq Bridge Faucet: similar HERE. Shaker style cabinetry, Schuler. Countertop: Viatera quartz – Minuet. Backsplash: Polished Venatino Marble Subway Mosaic. Hardware: Stainless Modern Euro Bar.

White ironstone pitchers are also right at home in traditional and country kitchens of any style. I use them to hold scrub brushes, Mr. Clean erasers, and of course as vases too.

Hello Lovely's farm sink (Hyannis-30 from Nantucket Sinks) in renovated kitchen with Viatera Muse counters and Waterworks Julia faucet. #farmsinks #farmhousesink

My glazed terracotta urn is designed by Rachel Ashwell and may be retired. Similar options including vintage examples HERE:

Decorative Coarse Terra-cotta Crock w/ Handles Distressed
Handmade terracotta handled crock, HouseofPalmsco on Etsy
One off humor and funny tweet about groceries on Hello Lovely. #funnyquotes #groceries
Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.

For slightly smaller examples, you may be able to snag the real deal from France (18th century):

18th century French terracotta urn with handles
Antique French Urn, Les Nomades Treasures on Etsy
Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
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Vintage Ironstone Pitcher Options, Etsy (Photo: FrenchBaguette)

Video of Hello Lovely’s Prior Kitchen

No vintage ironstone for you? How about something new that functions and looks lovely?

I use this 11″ white ruffle bowl for everything! If you have a smallish kitchen with limited storage, no butler pantry, no scullery, and no china closet, multipurpose pieces are a must. This bowl can be brought into service for everyday, for entertaining, and for display.

RuffleBowlSmallSHF15
Ruffle Bowl, Crate & Barrel

Bosch Stainless Appliances

Our former Fixer’s kitchen needed all new appliances, and I loved the modern European look of Bosch and hoped they would perform well.

Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.

They worked well for my needs so I bought the exact cooktop and wall oven for our current kitchen to replace the used up existing appliances.

Viatera Muse quartz in my kitchen with island and Bosch appliances - Hello Lovely Studio.

I was tempted to look at those beautiful European statement ranges…

Our renovated kitchen with Viatera Muse quartz counters, calacatta gold marble backsplash, and light grey cabinets - Hello Lovely Studio.

But I wasn’t ready to commit to something fancy that may come with surprises. I stuck with the tried and the true and love the modern layer of tension it brings in a sea of traditional.

Cooktop vs. Traditional Range

There are moments I long for the look of a traditional range, but an added bonus of a cooktop? Storage underneath the cooktop’s cabinet for pots and essentials.

Viatera Minuet quartz countertop in my classic white kitchen (with Modern French influence) paired with polished marble subway tile backsplash - Hello Lovely Studio. #whitequartz #quartzcountertops #minuet

I’m the type of organizer who likes everything hidden including the microwave. So in the new kitchen, the microwave is on a cabinet shelf below the cooktop. Below that shelf is room for very unpretty pots and pans.

Light Toned Wood Flooring

The white oak hardwoods an artisan installed in our former home played a starring role in the entire house design, and they were wonderful to live with.

Hello Lovely's white European country modern French kitchen with Minuet Viatera quartz counters, farm sink, industrial cart, and marble subway backsplash.

But our next kitchen came with a red ceramic tile floor that was too hard underfoot and too bold for the tranquil look we wanted. Our first choice was a wood floor, but we were curious about LVP since it can be comfortable underfoot as well as durable and good looking.

Amber Lewis x Loloi runner rug in my modern French kitchen with Muse quartz (Viatera) - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #greykitchens #viateramuse

We also liked that as DIYers, we would not have to deal with the mess or added work of refinishing more hardwoods (if you have not done it yourself…just don’t!). So the verdict is still out as far as our opinion of LVP. While I like the look it, it’s a little too perfect for my taste. I also appreciate the comfort and how we don’t have to baby it, but still miss authentic wood floors that develop patina and character. So, yep, if we stay here, we can imagine RENOVATION 2.0 down the line.

Viatera White Quartz Counters

I love this brand and was willing to pay top dollar to use Viatera white quartz once again in our current home. I chose a larger scale veining pattern this time around called MUSE.

Viatera Muse quartz countertops in my kitchen - Hello Lovely Studio. #viateramuse #whitequartzcounters #quartzcountertops
Viatera Muse white quartz on Hello Lovely’s kitchen island

Muse has a similar if not more modern feel than MINUET which I put in our former kitchen:

White roses in vintage ironstone pitcher on an industrial steel cart in my serene white kitchen - Hello Lovely. #whitekitchens #modernfrench #farmhousekitchen
Viatera Minuet white quartz in our former kitchen

A crisp white background characterizes both of these Viatera white quartz options, but Minuet’s veining is busier and more delicate than Muse’s bold broad strokes. In the image of our current kitchen below, you can’t detect the veining since natural light is washing it all out. However, it isn’t a solid white mass by any means.

Amber Lewis x Loloi runner rug in my modern French kitchen with Muse quartz (Viatera) - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #greykitchens #viateramuse

Despite a few scratches on the Minuet Viatera white quartz after 7 years of heavy daily use, we never seemed to notice them! I still field questions about how our counters are holding up or if I would do them again. And, I actually did! (No one paid me to say these glowing things – we have simply become loyal customers).

White serene Shaker kitchen with Viatera Minuet quart counters, Bosch cooktop, and modern French influence - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #whitekitchens #viateraminuet #whitequartz #kitchendesign
Funny one off humor tweet quote on Hello Lovely. #funnytweets

Belgian Linen Slipcovered Dining Chairs

I devoted a whole post to the topic of Belgian linen and how I like to live with it HERE and also HERE.

Breakfast nook with turret and Thomas O'Brien Elizabeth chandelier in gilded iron - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench #breakfastnooks

We have owned these Belgian slope arm slipcovered linen dining chairs for ages, and they are too comfy to change! I moved them around from time to time in our former house. Sometimes they were in the breakfast nook, and other times they were in the adjacent dining room.

Window seat with European inspired pillows and Belgian linen slipcovered dining chairs in a breakfast area of a French country kitchen - Hello Lovely Studio. #frenchcountry #kitchendesign #breakfastroom #belgianlinen #windowseat #serenedecor

Woven Textures

Along with nubby Belgian linen upholstery on chairs and cushions, I also like a bit of seagrass, jute, sisal, or any number of natural materials for interiors where a sea of white and neutrals prevail.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
Woven Placemats; Flower Market sign: Urban Farmgirl.

I don’t tire easily of accents that are natural and neutral. These placemats are summery but work with seasonal dishes of all colors and styles.

Breakfast room in fall in renovated kitchen - Hello Lovely Studio.
Poignant quote about horses and car rides on Hello Lovely. #funnyquotes #animalquotes

We had a window seat in our former kitchen which was another opportunity to introduce natural texture.

Window seat with linen pillows and cushions. Serene tranquil white kitchen. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite

If you have a window seat or banquette area, what a bonus to be able to add softness with pillows!

French grain sack pillow handmade and custom from Debeaucheneco on Etsy. #linenpillow #grainsackpillow #frenchfarmhousedecor
Handmade Grain Sack Pillow, Debeaucheneso on Etsy
French grain sack pillow handmade and custom from Debeaucheneco on Etsy. #linenpillow #grainsackpillow #frenchfarmhousedecor
Bespoke French Farmhouse Pillow, Debeaucheneso on Etsy

Who knows? We may add a custom banquette at the windows of our new nook since we got so much mileage out of the last one:

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
Harvest table: custom; European reclaimed barn wood dining table options HERE. Metal chairs: HERE. Belgian linen slipcovered dining chair option: HERE.

Romantic Chandeliers

I was excited about the higher ceiling height in our new kitchen since it adds a sense of spaciousness and means there are more options when it comes to lighting.

The romantic gilded quartz chandelier I found adds a layer of elegance and opulence in an otherwise understated kitchen.

Linen slipcovered dining chairs and stone color pedestal table with Elizabeth chandelier (Thomas O'Brien) in breakfast room - Hello Lovely Studio. #elizabethchandelier #gildedchandelier #breakfastnook

In our prior kitchen’s breakfast nook, a petite antiqued silver chandelier I collected years ago was small but mighty. This one’s similar:

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
Similar turned wood candleholder, Amazon. Counter stool similar option HERE.

Are you torn between choices of metals for your kitchen?

Serene Decor in our breakfast nook with Belgian linen slipcovered chairs, round dining table, and Couristan area rug - Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovelystudio #breakfastnook #belgianlinen #slipcoveredchairs #cozykitchen #europeancountry #frenchcountrystyle

It didn’t take me any time at all to get used to the gold-toned lighting in our new design. (And just a reminder, I chose gilded iron lighting fixtures, not brass – not sure if I would feel as satisfied with brass options.)

Cat humor on Hello Lovely. #funnytweets #cattweets #cathumor #funnyquotes

White Paint for Walls

The new kitchen’s paint color was not one I chose – it was already freshly painted, just right, and waiting for us.

Modern French kitchen with Calacatta gold tile backsplash and breakfast nook - Hello Lovely Studio. #viateramuse

I didn’t intend to keep this color initially. Remember, the kitchen was a sea of dark brown cabinets, dark brown trim, darker brown counters, and red floors…see the before here:

and AFTER:

But after painting the cabinets, I loved the way it worked with other elements.

In our prior home, I painted all of the walls, trim, and ceiling BM White OC-151, and side by side, you can see how much more warmth Eider White has.

I think this bright white appealed to me in 2015 when I designed our former kitchen after living with antique whites for many years.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
One-off funny humor quote on Hello Lovely about life on earth. #funnyquotes #oneoffhumor #sarcasticquotes #lifequotes

It felt more modern and youthful.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Design and photo: Hello Lovely Studio. #kitchendesign #whitekitchen #minuet #whitequartz #benjaminmoorewhite
Hello Lovely’s Kitchen Renovation Resources to shop the look

And today, I’m in more of a greyed-white, plaster-white, and even pink-tinged-white phase.

Funny humor quote on Hello Lovely about tacos. #foodhumor #foodquote #funnyquotes #tacos

Creative Kitchen Design Inspiration

Think your own kitchen is too hopeless to be improved? What if you rent an apartment but long for a more romantic, custom kitchen?

Thanks so much for tuning in and taking time to leave comments – I love hearing from you!

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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2 Comments

  1. Susan
    July 31, 2024 / 10:17 am

    I had so much fun reading your entry and following your links today! Thank you~

    • Michele
      Author
      July 31, 2024 / 1:19 pm

      Awww – you’re so kind. Thanks for hanging out here with me. 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing