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    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

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  4. Dream Kitchen: Bright White Face-Lift

Dream Kitchen: Bright White Face-Lift

By Beaty Coleman
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After: Kitchen and Family Room
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
A dark and dingy Alabama rancher finally sees the light after a few minor structural changes and lots of white paint.
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Add a Dose of Southern Charm

Add a Dose of Southern Charm
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

When Cindy and Thomas Gallion's house hunt ended with a dull-looking rancher in a Montgomery, Alabama, neighborhood, they knew there was a bright side: room to romp for their two sons, plus a two-car garage with easy grocery-to-kitchen access. These benefits outweighed the dark panelling, low ceiling, and hollow-core-doors.

But with Thomas' building expertise and his decorator sister's, Tyler Colgan, eye for detail, they were able to make the house more spacious and more attractive with just a few tweaks.

Love It? Get It!
Interior decorator: Tyler Colgan; 404/273-1400

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Before: Breakfast Room

Before: Breakfast Room
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

The small, dark breakfast room where the family ate their meals lacked storage and color for such a lively space.

2 of 9

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After: Breakfast Room

After: Breakfast Room
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

What They Did:

  • Added an L-shaped banquette, plush with cheery pillows, under the windows.
  • The customized seats lift for additional storage.
  • Placed built-ins on either side of the banquette for easily accessible dishware.
  • Love It? Get It!
  • Table: For a similar look, try Avalon by Crate and Barrel.
  • Wicker chairs: Majby chair with armrests by IKEA
  • Assorted pillows: also from IKEA and World Market
  • Pendant light: Leran, also by IKEA

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Before: Kitchen

Outdated Rancher Kitchen

The kitchen was cramped and isolated from the family and breakfast rooms. There also was not enough counter or storage space.

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After: Kitchen

After: Kitchen
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

What They Did:

  • Removed the window and added shelving for storage.
  • Added a large, hardworking island for storage and function.
  • Love It? Get It!
  • Pendant lights: Fansta shade with Hemma ceiling cord set byIKEA
  • Barstools: Grayson from Pottery Barn
  • Barstool slipcover fabric: For a similar look, try Corazon in Seaglass from Calico Corners.

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After: Kitchen and Family Room

After: Kitchen and Family Room
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

What They Did:

  • Tore out the walls that divided the kitchen from the breakfast and family rooms.

Love It? Get It!
Wall, trim, and door paint: Dover White (SW6385) by Sherwin-Williams

6 of 9

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Before: Family Room

Before: Family Room

The family room, like the kitchen and breakfast room, was small, dark, and outdated.

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After: Family Room

After: Family Room
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

What They Did:

  • Raised the ceiling into the attic to make the room feel more spacious.
  • Flanked the hearth with an additional bookshelf designed to accomodate the television.
  • Used white paint, fresh finishes, and light fabrics to update the dark space.
  • Mixed furnishing they'd collected with less expensive finds.
  • Love It? Get It!
  • Coffee table: from Max and Company
  • Artwork above fireplace: For a similar look, try an abstract fromArtaissance.

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Before and After Floorplan

Before and After Floorplan

1 A new floating furniture arrangement keeps the family room cozy and conversational.
2 Two cased openings connect the space to the rest of the house.
3 Removing two nonbearing walls transformed the three tiny rooms into one spacious area.
4 A built-in banquette maximizes space and adds storage.

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    1 of 9 Add a Dose of Southern Charm
    2 of 9 Before: Breakfast Room
    3 of 9 After: Breakfast Room
    4 of 9 Before: Kitchen
    5 of 9 After: Kitchen
    6 of 9 After: Kitchen and Family Room
    7 of 9 Before: Family Room
    8 of 9 After: Family Room
    9 of 9 Before and After Floorplan

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