5 Charming Kitchen Makeover Tricks (No Reno Required!)

Designer Lauren Leiss used natural finishes and simple displays to put everyone at ease in this North Carolina kitchen.

"I let the variations in the four different wood finishes be the main interest in this room," says designer Lauren Liess, who chose a neutral palette that allows the distinct woods to pop.

Liess disguised the newness of these stock cabinets. A custom paint color (which was mixed on-site) topped with a sepia-tinted glaze helps them blend with other earthy finishes.

Rather than complicate decorating matters with a separate backsplash tile, Liess decided to extend the granite countertops 16 inches up the walls for a seamless effect.

"This is a big family with a lot of children," Liess says. She devised a plan that included a large island and easy-to-clean metal stools, so the kids can eat while the adults cook.

"Leaving a few everyday things out in the open makes a space feel more lived-in," says Liess, who designed this iron pot rack for hanging only the most essential cooking pans.

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• Wall Color: Seashell (926); benjaminmoore.com
• Floors: hickory
• Countertops: honed black granite and white oak butcher block
• Range: GE Café Series Front Control Convection Range; geappliances.com
• Refrigerator: KitchenAid Freestanding Stainless Steel; kitchenaid.com