Pantries and butler’s kitchens offer a great opportunity to play! While a main kitchen might lean more neutral or refined in tone—especially if it's open to living areas—this can be a chance to experiment with color, pattern, or unexpected materials. Think of it as a hidden jewel box that adds surprise and personality, while still feeling connected to the overall design.
Kitchen Pantry With A Pop
Kara Miller
Interior Designer
With her Southern breezy touch, Florida-based Kara Miller, principal of Kara Miller Interiors, a full service design studio specializing in new construction and large scale renovations, is regarded for her playful use of color, pattern and texture results in welcoming, energetic interiors.
With her Southern breezy touch, Florida-based Kara Miller, principal of Kara Miller Interi...
Tile for sure. It essentially acts as the hero pattern for a space and is often my starting point. I generally pull the rest of the materials together around that.
I like to temper bold moves in color with white and neutral textures, like polished chrome hardware, white countertops and a simple window treatment, as you in this space. It gives your eye a place to rest, and I find it also helps bring a cohesion that wouldn’t otherwise exist.
The cabinetry here is Benjamin Moore Green Wave. Another shade I love is Benjamin Moore Colony Green. These both also makes great trim colors if you are using a raffia grass cloth as a wallcovering.
If we are using a bold tile that is busy with a lot of color, I use a simple white quartz countertop. If I have a client that really loves marble or natural stone, we will find a place for it in the house. It’s about balance.
Invest in cabinetry and plumbing materials, like faucets and sinks, for example, first. Those are items that shouldn’t be compromised on. Keep the color palette in the kitchen one you will never tire of looking at.
Interview by Kerstin Czarra