This was such a fun project for me because the young career couple are so friendly, fun, open to new ideas, and adore their dog the same way I love animals, so we hit it off instantly! In case you don’t make it through reading this entire kitchen project reveal, ultimately here is what the client said:

“Hi Lisa! You are truly a godsend! We hit the google algorithm lottery the day I found you online! This is amazing! We appreciate your amazing work! THANK YOU!”

Modern white and gray Danvers MA kitchen design with quartz counters and brass accents

The wife first contacted me through my website contact form, describing how they were building a new home near Boston’s North Shore, in Danvers, Massachusetts, and needed the help of an interior decorator. Since my design studio is located in Newburyport, their location was a good fit.

The house was already framed when they reached out, but since this was their first new construction home, they had a lot of finishes, colors, furnishings, and light fixtures to select and needless to say - they were overwhelmed.

It was important to them to avoid making mistakes they’d later regret and maximize their investment financially and aesthetically, so they needed help choosing finishes and fixtures carefully. The goal was to create a gorgeous, bright, modern kitchen that had some fun personality (like my clients) and would also be durable for the near future, with kids.

In the initial conversation, the homewoners revealed they were a little skeptical about hiring another interior designer. They had previously worked with someone else in another home, who charged by the hour. While hourly billing is the most common business model in the design industry, they still did not like receiving that other designer’s bill for 7 hours to locate a single light fixture. I don’t blame them. In defense of the other designer, it can absolutely take that long to locate each specific, ‘perfect’ item for a design project, but like my clients, I personally am not a fan of the hourly billing method and moved away from it many years ago.

The couple felt comfortable with my flat rate kitchen design fee. For them, it was a reasonable investment to ensure their larger investment of their new construction home would result in a beautiful home they would not regret. Not to mention they had successful careers that kept them both busy, and also knew their limitations when it came to interior design, so it was a no-brainer for them to hire me.

Contemporary kitchen with black and brass sputnik pendants and matching single bulb sink light

When discussing the best modern white kitchen ideas for a fresh and timeless space with my clients, we were all in agreement to design a mostly-white color scheme that also had contrasting black elements, some gray, and warm wood mixed in to prevent the kitchen design from being so stark and cold.

The brass accents, including the cabinet hardware and pot-filler, add a warm glamorous touch to the white color scheme, making a stylish impact to this modern style kitchen. The statement black with brass sputnik pendants lights and exposed clear bulb sink light, introduce a contemporary element into this modern traditional kitchen and the white farmhouse sink helps the room to feel relaxing.

The marble look quartz countertops and matching backsplash creates a soothing modern minimalist feel, helping to make the monochromatic all-white kitchen feel airy and light, while the black metal window frames create a nice contrast. Add the silver stainless appliances and black faucet, and you get a slightly industrial yet elegant feel.

The one idea my clients brought up which I recommended against, was installing a waterfall island. I actually like the look of a waterfall island a lot, however, the goal was to create a timeless kitchen design that protected their investment. While the waterfall counter top is a top kitchen design trend in 2025 and would certainly make the space feel modern and contemporary, I believe the waterfall fad is going to feel outdated in a few years. Instead, we opted for a traditional style island counter top contrasted with a warmer gray wood finish island base, creating a more classic kitchen design that feels more coastal than city, and will look great many years from now.

The classic white cabinetry, white wall paint color, and white coffered ceiling is punctuated by warm walnut wood flooring to keep the open kitchen and dining spaces from feeling too sterile, and bring an earthy feel to the design. I selected a medium brown finish that would strike the right balance for a home with a dog (very important!). Go too light - or too dark - and you’ll see every paw print, pet fur, and dusty debris when the natural light reflects on it.

Also, to warm up the space we brought in another neutral textured element, found in the Serena and Lily counter stools. Their timeless style, a blend of Parisian, Scandanavian and Bohemian, soften the room with natural fibers and provides a nice contrast to the high gloss white sleek dining table, traditional X-back chairs, and contemporary statement light fixture.

The result? A beautiful, sophisticated timeless New England kitchen design and happy clients who hired me to create several Full Room Designs for several other spaces in their home. Don’t take my word for it, here is what my client said:

“Hi Lisa! You are truly a godsend! We hit the google algorithm lottery the day I found you online! This is amazing! We appreciate your amazing work! THANK YOU!”

Want your own Kitchen Full Room Design? Take a look at Lisa Jensen Interior Design services page to learn more.

Projects are on a first come, first serve basis, and Lisa does book out, so we recommend reserving your spot in advance. Contact Lisa Jensen Interior Design today!