Small Space, Big Style

Creating harmony in a Berkley kitchen
A clean, timeless look is what the Berkley homeowners were after when they contacted Whiski Kitchen of Royal Oak
A NEW SPIN // A clean, timeless look is what the Berkley homeowners were after when they contacted Whiski Kitchen of Royal Oak – Photography by Melissa Sauter


When a young couple from Berkley made the decision two years ago to upgrade timeless look is what the the kitchen in their bungalow-style home, they did so with their vast record collection in mind. Calling on 8-year-old Whiski Kitchen of Royal Oak, they immediately let designer Melissa Sauter know that it would be great to have storage space for their many vinyls.

The former kitchen was closed off by two walls that separated the dining area from the kitchen, making the space feel narrow and confined. “We were able to completely transform this area to create a more generous and functional kitchen, plus incorporate custom storage for the clients’ sizeable record collection,” Sauter says of the project, which was titled “Pistachio Colada.” (The company names all of its projects after a cocktail.)

Photography by Melissa Sauter – Photography by Melissa Sauter

With white cabinets and matte black hardware, the result is a clean, timeless look. The island cabinets’ custom shade (Sherwin- Williams’ Acacia Haze) brings color to the design, while the quartz countertops inject a bright-white complement. Appliances in matte white round out the look.

“The homeowner cooks a lot, and she wanted more space,” Sauter says. Adds the homeowner: “Both of us work from home, so we naturally eat lots of meals here. We’re both vegetarians, and Mexican and Indian dishes are our go-to weekly fare.” On any typical day, you might hear music from the American jazz group the Sun Ra Arkestra playing while the couple cooks up dinner.

“The space now features a kitchen area, dining area, workspace, and a space for their albums; there’s also a little nook for listening to music,” Sauter says. A window between the album shelves provides more light and includes a shiplap wall painted Glacier White (Benjamin Moore) to match the record shelving color. The shiplap, Sauter says, adds texture and interest without competing with the albums, which are truly works of art.

“We worked with Detroit Build to have the top part of the shelving custom-made, and then we installed cabinets (from Pennsylvania-based Legacy Crafted Cabinets) along the bottom. It was quite a challenge to create, making sure all three spaces were equal along the bottom and that the albums fit perfectly on the shelves,” the designer acknowledges.

That and a place for all those cherished vinyls!
That and a place for all those cherished vinyls! – Photography by Melissa Sauter

The team decided on a pistachio hue to keep the space “light and bright,” Sauter says. “It’s a small space, so even with a wall down, you need to keep a light color. Thus, we used white for perimeter cabinets and color on the island.” The team also selected matte-white subway-style tile with a subtle texture, and chose a white grout. “The white blends in with the wall,” Sauter notes.

The light above the nook area and the two pendants above the island are black, to echo the hardware, sink, and faucet tones. Champagne- bronze hardware adds panache. As for the flooring, a wood floor replaces the old linoleum tile and matches the wood on the rest of the first floor.

A sweet listening nook provides space for taking in the tunes or reading album covers. Detroit Build went to town on the custom shelving, providing perfectly measured storage sections.
TUNING IN // A sweet listening nook provides space for taking in the tunes or reading album covers. Detroit Build went to town on the custom shelving, providing perfectly measured storage sections. – Photography by Melissa Sauter

The entire renovation took about a year to complete. “With small spaces that are also serving as multiple spaces, you want it to be aesthetically pleasing but functional,” Sauter says. This kitchen checks all those boxes: cooking, storage, workspace, eat-in area, and display for albums.

Shares the homeowner: “I love walking into my home and seeing the open space right from the front door. It doesn’t feel overpowering, yet it reflects our personality well. I have to say, baking in a nice kitchen makes the whole experience so much more memorable.”

MORE INFORMATION: whiski-kitchen.com



Text by Megan Swoyer | Photography by Melissa Sauter