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Tonal Harmony
Designer: BAC Design Group, 231.941.0014, bacdesigntc.com
Contractor: Bay Area Contracting, 231.941.0014, bayareacontracting.net
What: Classic contemporary meets mid-century modern in shades of white and gray in this stunning kitchen renovation.
What Makes it Work:Â Shaker-style cabinetry made from maple and painted Arctic pairs with the island base of poplar, finished in a semi-transparent smoky gray to set the white and gray color palette.
What Makes it Pop: The stainless Kohler under-mount Apron sink. “We selected the sink to add a contemporary but practical twist to a classic white and smoky gray mid-century kitchen,” says BAC Design Groups Marty Rhein.
White for a Victorian Lady
Contractor: Howard Smith Custom Builders, East Jordan, 231.838.6471, howardsmithcustombuilders.com
Designer: Jill Brecheisen, Kitchens by Design, Petoskey, 231.347.8400, kitchensbydesignpetoskey.com
What: A kitchen befitting a Victorian-era beauty in Petoskey’s downtown.
What Makes it Works: The maple floor with a hand-rubbed European finish, echoed in the matching bar countertop, grounds this home in Victorian sensibilities. Yet, furniture cabinetry with Craftsman lines hints subtly of a kitchen that has evolved organically over the decades.
What Makes it Pop: Glossy white cabinetry, open shelving, contemporary stainless pulls and pendant lights brilliantly admit that this kitchen is up to date—no need to camouflage the refrigerator in cabinetry.
Farmhouse Kitchen Goes Modern
Designer: Sandra Bargiel, B.C.D. Interiors and Bay Cabinetry Design Studio, Traverse City, 231.946.6882, baycabinetry.com
 What: An old farmhouse kitchen in the Petoskey countryside goes late mid-century modern.
What Makes it Work: Sleek-lined cabinetry by the Italian company Arosa Mobilia and the Amish company Ayr, set a modern backdrop that is balanced by natural materials that calm the old home’s soul, including a slate floor, black walnut dining slab and marble countertops. Even the Arosa Mobilia cabinets have a white oak finish.
What Makes it Pop: The modern pendant light by Le Klint and Mad Men-style basket chairs.
Beach Cottage Kitchen
Designer: Vee Mossburg, Cottage Company, Harbor Springs. 231.526.2537, cottage-company.com
 What: A perfectly beachy retreat on Walloon Lake for a family who makes cooking and entertaining Job One.
What Makes it Work: The wash of white from the Ann Sacks Herringbone range backsplash, Ann Sacks subway tiles, white cabinets by Great Northern Cabinetry and the Colorquartz Ventino countertops.
What Makes it Pop: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy painted walls, brass pot filler and the brass accented La Cornufé range, bien sûr.