Driegen Designs

Functional Interiors That Tell Your Story

At the start of this project, I focused on making better use of the space. We swapped out a few older pantries for a large island with seating, along with space for deep drawers and a pullout garbage and recycling area. This change completely transformed how the kitchen functions, creating a much more practical dining and work area.

For the new cabinetry, we went with a simple slab door painted in a pale green to offset the existing oak cabinets and bring a sense of lightness to the room. It was important to me that the kitchen felt like it belonged in this 1920s home while still feeling bright and refreshed. To strike that balance, we added an oversized diamond-patterned floor, floral wallpaper, pale green cabinetry, and sky-blue trim. These are elements you might find in a kitchen from that era, but by playing with scale and color, the space feels updated and fresh.

One of my favorite transformations was the butler’s pantry. It started out dark, cramped, and underutilized, but we turned it into something so much more functional and inviting. We installed new cabinetry, a bar sink, and updated counters, tying everything into the main kitchen. To maximize the light from the pantry window, we extended the blue backsplash higher on the walls, which really opened up the space.

The end result is a kitchen and pantry that are not only functional and bright but also perfectly in tune with the home and the people who live there. It’s a joyful, welcoming space that feels just right.

What we achieved together

One of the key aspects of this project was my clients’ desire to reuse a large section of their honey oak cabinetry. They wanted to reduce waste, but we also wanted to give the cabinets a fresh, updated feel. Since the kitchen doesn’t get much natural light, it was also important to brighten up the space as much as possible.

We also looked at how the rest of the room was being used and brought in some new cabinetry to make things more efficient—especially in the butler’s pantry, which had been pretty crowded and hard to work with.

In the end, we wanted the new space to reflect the bright personalities of my clients and a space that's joyful and functional to cook in and spend time in.