Christina Hall is famed for her California coastal chic style on her show “Christina on the Coast.” But in her new series, “Christina in the Country,” the designer is expanding to Tennessee—and showing off an entirely new look.
In the premiere episode, “Diamond in the Rough,” Hall helps clients Nick and Kristen renovate their kitchen. While Kristen has been slowly updating the Franklin, TN, home over the years with contemporary colors and furnishings, she’s left the kitchen unchanged.
“When you walk in, the house looks super cute,” Hall observes. “Like, it feels very country chic. It’s very calming and soothing. And then you come in here, and you feel like you’re in literally a totally different house. It’s orangey and straight out of the ’90s.”
Kristen agrees, saying the dated colors in the kitchen look like “a really bad spray tan.”
The couple, who just welcomed their fourth child, also want to update their laundry room and unused wet bar in the living room, which means Hall will need to go a little over their $100,000 budget.
Here’s Hall’s newest recipe for the perfect country-style kitchen and house, with plenty of lessons that might be worth trying around your own abode, too.
In a kitchen, white is always all right
Before: This ’90s kitchen didn’t match the rest of the home.
HGTV
Kristen and Nick want their kitchen to look updated and beautiful, but Kristen warns that the space shouldn’t look too modern. This is, after all, a family home full of kids. The space should feel warm, inviting, and timeless.
Hall suggests replacing the existing brown cabinets with white cabinetry on the perimeter and bronze on the island. When it comes to the backsplash, the HGTV star recommends a tile with unique shapes for some texture. Kristen and Nick love the style, but they’re not sure what color grout to use.
After: Soft colors make this kitchen feel timeless.
HGTV
“If it was my kitchen, I would do white because it’s all still going to stand out and you’re going to be able to see, like, all the shapes,” Hall says.
They agree to the white-on-white look, and Hall says that even though the tile won’t feature a lot of contrast, it will be “the showstopper of the kitchen.”
Once the kitchen is done, the homeowners are impressed with the colors. The white cabinets and backsplash give this room a fresh, timeless look while the darker island provides some dimension.
This geometric backsplash is understated but beautiful.
HGTV
A pantry doesn’t need to be walk-in
This pantry has plenty of storage space for staples.
HGTV
One of Kristen’s biggest complaints about her kitchen is its lack of storage space. The cabinets are limited, and the pantry is tiny and narrow. So Hall points out that she could build a new pantry on one wall, which is currently used only for a wall calendar.
The team adds floor-to-ceiling cabinets with pull-out drawers, offering plenty of convenient storage. While this wall is on the far side of the room, Hall ensures the cabinetry matches the perimeter cabinets, making the entire room look cohesive.
When Hall’s clients see the new storage, they’re delighted.
“This is probably more efficient than a walk-in pantry,” Kristen says.
Make the laundry room a mudroom
Laundry room
HGTV
Connecting the kitchen to the garage is a small, dark laundry room, which Hall describes as dingy. Not only is it an eyesore, but it also doesn’t provide much storage for a busy family coming and going.
Hall suggests adding a bench and cubbies to create a convenient “drop zone” for little ones to store their coats, shoes, backpacks, and sports equipment.
After: The new drop-zone bench is a perfect spot for kids to put on their shoes.
HGTV
When the new storage is done, it’s clearly a great use of the space, even if, as Hall points out, it might not solve all of the family’s clutter problems.
“We have one in my house,” the designer says, referring to the drop zone. “And you know, it’s hit or miss. Sometimes the kids do it, sometimes they don’t. But at least it’s there.”
Show off a small room with fun floor tile
This laundry room floor is fun, fresh, and beautiful.
HGTV
To add a little extra style to the laundry room, Hall suggests incorporating a unique, contemporary floor tile in the space. She brings two very different samples for the couple to choose from: a bold star design and a softer, lighter look that Hall calls “soothing.”
“I like the pops of colors in this, but I love how that maybe just kind of ties in coming into the kitchen,” Nick says when examining the two options.
The couple eventually decide on the lighter, soothing style, which ends up being a smart choice. The color works perfectly with the bright kitchen, and it makes the laundry room look fresh and clean.
Carry kitchen colors into the living room
This bar area is a great touch for parents’ night in.
HGTV
While Hall and her team plan to renovate only the kitchen and laundry room, when the demo is done, Hall finds that Kristen has added another project to their to-do list: a new bar area.
Kristen explains that she’s always hated the living room’s dated wet bar, which the family used as a storage closet. Hall is happy to update the wet bar and suggests tying the new look to the kitchen design.
They use the same countertop and cabinet pulls, but when it comes time to choose the cabinet color, the couple aren’t sure if they should pick the perimeter or island color.
“I like tying in the island color in here,” Kristen decides. “It would be really pretty.”
Hall agrees, saying that the darker color will “pop” next to the living room’s white walls and neutral furniture.
When the wet bar is finished, Hall’s clients are impressed with the upgrade.
“It went from being a junk drawer to being a feature piece right when you walk inside the home,” Nick says.
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