Great kitchens are equal parts function and fashion. “They’re a workspace and they’re also a gathering spot, which is not how they used to be,” says interior designer Renee Urbanowicz of Boulder’s Melton Design Build. To her point, this kitchen’s cramped ’70s “before” was ill-fitting for an active family of five that loves to entertain. So as part of a full gut remodel of the East Boulder ranch house, Urbanowicz worked with architect Tom Cattney, formerly of Melton, to free the space from its closed-in feel while adding a contemporary kick. The white frameless cabinets by Omega (hello, extra storage), subtle-statement-making drawer pulls, and kid friendly porcelain flooring all create a clean backdrop for the island’s jolt of color: a tile mural inspired by the family’s travels to Mexico. Urbanowicz found Italian lookalikes (30 of Eleganza’s Varese tiles, each with a different pattern) and worked with the installer to set them randomly. We call that a delicious style move.

Lights out june/july
After the renovation. Photograph by Mark Quentin
Lights out before renovation
Before the renovation. Photograph courtesy of Melton Design Build