× Style: Clean and Modern
Kerri and David Powell recently remodeled their Green Hills home, opting for a new, modern kitchen. They looked to IKEA for their cabinets—but with only a handful of stores in the United States, and the closest being more than 100 miles from Nashville, it wasn’t going to be easy, which is why they enlisted ModerNash. Formed in 2007 by Nick Ray and David Molnar, ModerNash has become the ultimate middleman, offering services that include IKEA furniture delivery, assembly, and installation in addition to commercial and residential consulting.
IKEA cabinets come in specific sizes with top-of-the-line hardware but cannot be customized and are mailed as pieces. At times, homeowners have to get a little creative when choosing the brand, which is where ModerNash’s skills as designers come in handy. Ray, who notes that custom cabinets can often drive up a client’s budget, likes being able to offer customers a “bells and whistles product without the bells and whistles price. x93
To complete the look, the Powells chose Caesarstone quartz countertops in organic white, installed by locally owned Smokey Mountain Tops, as well as Varaluz Masquerade light fixtures and a Kohler sink and faucet.
The biggest challenge was the floors. “It was part existing and part new, x93 says David. “The existing floor was part red oak and park white oak. Somehow, Mike Betts [of All American Hardwood] worked his magic to create a seamless finished look, complementing the white cabinets. x93
Kohler Faucet and sink: Ferguson (ferguson.com)
Flooring: Mike Betts of All American Hardwood (615-391-3910; on Facebook)
Caesarstone countertops: Smokey Mountain Tops (615-331-8786; smokeymountaintops.com)
Light Fixtures: Varaluz Masquerade (varaluz.com)
Style: Clean and Modern
Expert: Nick Ray, ModerNash
Kerri and David Powell recently remodeled their Green Hills home, opting for a new, modern kitchen. They looked to IKEA for their cabinets—but with only a handful of stores in the United States, and the closest being more than 100 miles from Nashville, it wasn’t going to be easy, which is why they enlisted ModerNash. Formed in 2007 by Nick Ray and David Molnar, ModerNash has become the ultimate middleman, offering services that include IKEA furniture delivery, assembly, and installation in addition to commercial and residential consulting. IKEA cabinets come in specific sizes with top-of-the-line hardware but cannot be customized and are mailed as pieces. At times, homeowners have to get a little creative when choosing the brand, which is where ModerNash’s skills as designers come in handy. Ray, who notes that custom cabinets can often drive up a client’s budget, likes being able to offer customers a “bells and whistles product without the bells and whistles price. x93
To complete the look, the Powells chose Caesarstone quartz countertops in organic white, installed by locally owned Smokey Mountain Tops, as well as Varaluz Masquerade light fixtures and a Kohler sink and faucet.
The biggest challenge was the floors. “It was part existing and part new, x93 says David. “The existing floor was part red oak and park white oak. Somehow, Mike Betts [of All American Hardwood] worked his magic to create a seamless finished look, complementing the white cabinets. x93
Resources:
IKEA Sektion cabinets in Ringhult high gloss white finish: ModerNash (615-332-7649; modernash.com)Kohler Faucet and sink: Ferguson (ferguson.com)
Flooring: Mike Betts of All American Hardwood (615-391-3910; on Facebook)
Caesarstone countertops: Smokey Mountain Tops (615-331-8786; smokeymountaintops.com)
Light Fixtures: Varaluz Masquerade (varaluz.com)
×
So when it came time to remodel the kitchen of her own 1980s Brentwood Colonial, she decided to take a risk of her own and paint her L-shaped island green. “The cabinet team thought I was insane, x93 she says. “I was nervous. I thought it was either genius or I was about to make a costly mistake. I ended up taking the risk and in the end I think it makes my kitchen special. x93
Paranjape, who is known for creating spaces that combine elegance with efficiency (usually putting efficiency first), hired certified kitchen planner Melissa Sutherland to help come up with the most effective design. As parents of two, Paranjape and her husband entertain often and wanted their kitchen to have a thoughtful flow where their family could both work and play. “Kitchens are more science than any other room in the house, x93 she says. “You have to have your workspace: Can you reach the trashcan? Where are the knives? Can you open the fridge without walking a mile? There’s a list of rules you have to follow that you can’t break if you want a functioning kitchen. x93
Once Paranjape had the bones of the kitchen planned, she started adding the details, like subtle texture through the use of shiplap walls. Next, she chose custom European frameless cabinets by locally owned Opus Luxury Cabinets with specially plated Liberty hardware. “I found the pulls I wanted, but not in that brass finish, so I took them to Leonard Plating and he plates and dips them in the finish of your choosing, x93 she says. “I have done that several times now for clients. x93 After installing quartz countertops, lights from her store, an apron-front sink, and Britt Bass art—plus using the existing hardwood floors— Paranjape’s fresh, classic kitchen came together. And by taking a risk, it turned out even better than she envisioned.
Cabinets: Opus Luxury Cabinets (615-372-9017; opusluxurycabinets.com)
Art: Britt Bass (brittbass.com)
Light fixtures: Redo Home and Design (615-790-3989; redoyourhouse.com)
Appliances: Ferguson (615-316-1800; ferguson.com)
Hardware: Liberty Hardware (336-769-4077; libertyhardware.com)
Plating: Leonard Plating (615-254-8308)
Paint: Benjamin Moore Jade Green benjaminmoore.com
Colorful and Classic Expert: Lori Paranjape, Redo Home and Design
Designer Lori Paranjape is unafraid of taking risks. As the owner of Redo Home and Design in Franklin, she encourages clients to go for whatever they adore—even if it seems a bit scary. “If you want great, you have to go for it, x93 she says.So when it came time to remodel the kitchen of her own 1980s Brentwood Colonial, she decided to take a risk of her own and paint her L-shaped island green. “The cabinet team thought I was insane, x93 she says. “I was nervous. I thought it was either genius or I was about to make a costly mistake. I ended up taking the risk and in the end I think it makes my kitchen special. x93
Paranjape, who is known for creating spaces that combine elegance with efficiency (usually putting efficiency first), hired certified kitchen planner Melissa Sutherland to help come up with the most effective design. As parents of two, Paranjape and her husband entertain often and wanted their kitchen to have a thoughtful flow where their family could both work and play. “Kitchens are more science than any other room in the house, x93 she says. “You have to have your workspace: Can you reach the trashcan? Where are the knives? Can you open the fridge without walking a mile? There’s a list of rules you have to follow that you can’t break if you want a functioning kitchen. x93
Once Paranjape had the bones of the kitchen planned, she started adding the details, like subtle texture through the use of shiplap walls. Next, she chose custom European frameless cabinets by locally owned Opus Luxury Cabinets with specially plated Liberty hardware. “I found the pulls I wanted, but not in that brass finish, so I took them to Leonard Plating and he plates and dips them in the finish of your choosing, x93 she says. “I have done that several times now for clients. x93 After installing quartz countertops, lights from her store, an apron-front sink, and Britt Bass art—plus using the existing hardwood floors— Paranjape’s fresh, classic kitchen came together. And by taking a risk, it turned out even better than she envisioned.
Resources:
Kitchen design: Melissa Sutherland, CKD (615-474-6206; houzz.com)Cabinets: Opus Luxury Cabinets (615-372-9017; opusluxurycabinets.com)
Art: Britt Bass (brittbass.com)
Light fixtures: Redo Home and Design (615-790-3989; redoyourhouse.com)
Appliances: Ferguson (615-316-1800; ferguson.com)
Hardware: Liberty Hardware (336-769-4077; libertyhardware.com)
Plating: Leonard Plating (615-254-8308)
Paint: Benjamin Moore Jade Green benjaminmoore.com
× Style: Efficient and Contemporary
When Yvonne and Michael Ralsky moved into their 1950s Belle Meade ranch home, the long, dark galley kitchen had not been updated in 65 years—it needed a complete overhaul. The young family from Chicago had never been to Nashville and didn’t know a soul, but through Pinterest, they found Wills Company, a design/build firm headed by owner Ridley Wills.
“We had never lived in a house, much less renovated one, x93 says Yvonne. “And both of us work full time. The Wills Company managed the entire process from the plans to the final paint touchups. x93 With Wills’s help, they decided to turn the previous kitchen into a dining room and the adjacent dining room into a new kitchen. They also specifically requested not to have an open concept design.
“The open concept kitchen is very popular right now, but the Ralskys wanted the kitchen to be separate, x93 says Wills. “As a result, it makes the kitchen a very special destination. x93 Wills started by vaulting the ceilings and, instead of installing cabinets to flank their black Lacanche French range, putting in tall windows to make the space bright and airy. (The cabinets went elsewhere.)
“They were simple, small changes, but it added a lot of bang for their buck, x93 says Wills, who enjoyed the challenge that came with transforming a small area into a classy and supremely comfortable space for the family to enjoy a meal.
The Ralskys also worked with Minnette Jackson of Minnette Jackson Interiors to bring together a low-key yet luxurious blend of white, black, and brass. After painting the cabinets with Benjamin Moore’s Carbon to match the range, they brightened the space with marble countertops and infused glamour through Rejuvenation’s Massey brass pulls and knobs, a Darlana lantern by E.F. Chapman, and a simple-yet-stunning Barber Wilsons faucet. Lastly, they added texture with Serena & Lily rattan counter stools in a black and white pattern. “We love having a kitchen that reflects our style and works for us the way we live, x93 says Yvonne.
Interior design: Minnette Jackson Interiors (615-933-8858; minnettejackson.com)
Tiles, lighting, and faucet: Kenny & Company (615-782-8000; kennycompany.com)
Hardware: Rejuvenation (rejuvenation.com)
Stools: Serena & Lily (serenaandlily.com)
Style: Efficient and Contemporary
Expert: Ridley Wills, Wills Company
When Yvonne and Michael Ralsky moved into their 1950s Belle Meade ranch home, the long, dark galley kitchen had not been updated in 65 years—it needed a complete overhaul. The young family from Chicago had never been to Nashville and didn’t know a soul, but through Pinterest, they found Wills Company, a design/build firm headed by owner Ridley Wills. “We had never lived in a house, much less renovated one, x93 says Yvonne. “And both of us work full time. The Wills Company managed the entire process from the plans to the final paint touchups. x93 With Wills’s help, they decided to turn the previous kitchen into a dining room and the adjacent dining room into a new kitchen. They also specifically requested not to have an open concept design.
“The open concept kitchen is very popular right now, but the Ralskys wanted the kitchen to be separate, x93 says Wills. “As a result, it makes the kitchen a very special destination. x93 Wills started by vaulting the ceilings and, instead of installing cabinets to flank their black Lacanche French range, putting in tall windows to make the space bright and airy. (The cabinets went elsewhere.)
“They were simple, small changes, but it added a lot of bang for their buck, x93 says Wills, who enjoyed the challenge that came with transforming a small area into a classy and supremely comfortable space for the family to enjoy a meal.
The Ralskys also worked with Minnette Jackson of Minnette Jackson Interiors to bring together a low-key yet luxurious blend of white, black, and brass. After painting the cabinets with Benjamin Moore’s Carbon to match the range, they brightened the space with marble countertops and infused glamour through Rejuvenation’s Massey brass pulls and knobs, a Darlana lantern by E.F. Chapman, and a simple-yet-stunning Barber Wilsons faucet. Lastly, they added texture with Serena & Lily rattan counter stools in a black and white pattern. “We love having a kitchen that reflects our style and works for us the way we live, x93 says Yvonne.
Resources:
Design/build firm: Wills Company (615-352-1228; willscompany.com)Interior design: Minnette Jackson Interiors (615-933-8858; minnettejackson.com)
Tiles, lighting, and faucet: Kenny & Company (615-782-8000; kennycompany.com)
Hardware: Rejuvenation (rejuvenation.com)
Stools: Serena & Lily (serenaandlily.com)