A Soft Sage & Graphite Kitchen by Fiorito Interior Design

When I began this kitchen project, the space was constrained by an awkward peninsula and a dropped ceiling that compressed the room both physically and visually. Fluorescent fixtures sat behind a plastic diffuser, and the refrigerator was wedged beside the range, leaving the kitchen feeling crowded while also making poor use of the available space. The transformation began by taking things away. The dropped ceiling was removed, the fluorescent tubes went with it, and the room suddenly gained height and light. The peninsula was removed too, opening the floor plan and allowing the cabinetry to continue down an adjacent wall and incorporate a second window. What had been a small, enclosed kitchen became a generous working space with room for a slim, functional L-shaped island, additional cabinetry and, perhaps most importantly, a much more natural relationship between the different parts of the kitchen.

The palette is quiet, but there is a lot happening within it. Soft sage cabinetry grounds the room, while warm white upper cabinets and pantry cabinetry lift the space. A pure white quartz countertop provides a crisp surface against the cabinetry, and soft brass hardware adds just enough warmth. The new Sub Zero refrigerator was given its own wall, beside a full pantry, freeing the range wall to become a strong focal point. A Monogram range now sits centered beneath an angular stainless-steel Zephyr hood, framed by the kitchen's most distinctive element: a graphite backsplash made from WOW Design's Pottery tile. Inspired by Japanese handmade ceramics, the tiles have a wonderfully tactile, imperfect character. Most are deep graphite, but here and there the surface breaks into strokes of camel, dusty peach, and deep blue-gunmetal glaze. There is an almost painterly quality to the way those colors move across the wall, giving the kitchen something that is difficult to achieve with a more uniform material—the satisfying feeling that an artisan actually made it.

The rest of the room was designed around that same balance of simplicity and warmth. New pale oak flooring runs throughout the ground floor, bringing a natural material and a soft golden tone beneath the cooler sage and graphite. Floating oak shelves flank the windows and provide a home for plants, ceramics and a few favorite objects, while another pair of shelves beside the refrigerator creates a small landing place for the things that inevitably arrive with you at the end of the day—keys, mail, bags and whatever else happens to be in your hands. The island occupies a surprisingly small footprint, yet its L-shaped form provides both additional work surface and seating without interrupting the flow of the room. A deep sink with an integrated cutting board and roll-up drying rack, a commercial-style faucet and under-cabinet LED lighting bring the practical details up to the same level of thoughtfulness as the larger design decisions. In the end, the renovation did more than just enlarge the kitchen; it created a space that feels calm, contemporary, warm, and a little unexpected … and, most importantly, we created a kitchen that finally makes sense for the way my clients live.

All after photos by Bernardo Grijalva.

Seeing is believing, as the saying goes. Here are some "before" images showing the smaller square footprint hemmed in by the peninsula...

Do you have a kitchen that needs updating ... or taming? Contact me and let's create something beautiful together!

Happy designing!

Know Your Chairs: The Wishbone Chair by Hans Wegner

When discussing iconic pieces in my recurring series of Know Your Chairs, few are as instantly recognizable--or as universally revered--as the CH24 Wishbone Chair. Designed in 1949 by Danish master Hans J. Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn, the Wishbone Chair is a hallmark of modernist simplicity and craftsmanship, blending form, function, and beauty in a way that has endured for over 70 years.

Wishbone chair, in the collection of the National Museum of Norway

Hans J. Wegner, often dubbed the “Master of the Chair,” was one of the leading figures in the Danish modern movement. In collaboration with Carl Hansen & Søn, he set out to create a chair that was both practical and sculpturally elegant. Inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Chinese Ming Dynasty-era chairs, Wegner distilled this aesthetic through the lens of Scandinavian minimalism.

The result was the CH24, commonly referred to as the Wishbone Chair or Y-chair due to the distinctive Y-shaped back support that provides comfort while echoing the organic form of a wishbone. The chair was designed as a single piece, meant to be lightweight, strong, and comfortable without the need for upholstery.

Each Wishbone Chair is a testament to high-level craftsmanship. It takes over 100 individual steps to produce just one chair, including the hand-weaving of the seat from more than 120 meters of paper cord—a durable material that adds warmth and texture to the piece.

The frame is traditionally made from solid wood, such as oak, beech, ash, or walnut, and finished in a range of natural or lacquered options. This blend of natural materials and meticulous attention to detail speaks to the values of quality and sustainability that have kept the chair in continuous production since its release.

The CH24 is more than just a piece of furniture—it’s a symbol of the post-war design movement that prioritized honest materials and human-centered design. It helped to define Danish modernism and has influenced generations of designers worldwide.

Its elegance and versatility have made it a favorite in both residential and commercial interiors, fitting seamlessly into dining rooms or living areas as an occasional chair. And because of its history, it can live comfortably in traditional or contemporary schemes.

by Chambers & Chambers

by Commune Design

by Studio Shamshiri

by Commune Design

by Mandy Cheng Design

Astonishingly, the Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair has never gone out of production. It’s been manufactured continuously since around 1950. You can purchase one from authorized dealers Carl Hansen & Søn, Design Within Reach, and Hive Modern.

Happy designing!

"Architects & Chairs" by Jorge Arévalo

This is "Know Your Chairs" month here at the ol' FID blog and I will be sharing with you a very interesting chair on the 24th, but for now, I want to show you the delightful work of master illustrator Jorge Arévalo. He created a series called "Architects and Chairs" where he puts the architect on or near the chair they designed which defines their individual legacy (some designers have more than one!). The precise, pointy style in which he renders people feels a little retro, perfect for the subject of Modernist furniture. All these are available as prints at the shop on his website!

Happy designing!

Area Environments Wallcovering

I have found a new favorite wallpaper company to join my many, many favorites! Area Environments creates custom wallcoverings specifically sized to a wall or space. This gives the resulting paper a wonderful, mural-like feeling. Look at how painterly and unique their designs are!

I am so eager to use some of their designs in a project! If you like what you see, give me a call... maybe we can find a spot in your home for some beautiful, painterly murals!

Happy designing!