Serena and Lily,

I’m so excited to share our home remodel with you guys and I thought I’d begin with my favorite space, the kitchen. It’s finally fall this week and I’m ready for baking and warm comfort foods! Do you all feel the same? It makes me so happy right now to spend time in here.

When I was planning this house, I used a binder to collect all my dream images, and in that were Serena & Lily catalogs that I used for inspiration. I bought some of my favorite pieces for the house from Serena & Lily, my Malibu Chandelier in my dining room, and my Capiz Scalloped Light in my entry. I am in love with both and they have made the spaces in this home look modern and stylish.

Everything they do is very light and pretty and has a California casual aesthetic, which, if you’re a frequent reader of my blog, you know I adore. I had to read my email twice when they asked me to partner on a post about Life at The Kitchen Counter. I rarely do partnerships, but this is a company I have loved for a long time. They are based in Northern California, Sausalito in fact. Their products have turned out to be the best quality pieces I chose for this remodel.

Since everyone gravitates around the kitchen, having a big island has always been a dream for me. I wanted to have room for us to spread out and for the seating to be comfy as well as stylish. I found both in these Balboa Counter Stools from Serena & Lily. The mix of the grey rattan with the brass accents is so elegant!

In the kitchen, as in the whole house, I went with my favorite materials -woods, natural stones and variations on white and grey. It’s livened up by the brass accents on these stools and my dark gold drawer pulls and knobs. The bits of gold are like jewelry for the room and give it a touch of glam and fun.

Worry not that I’ve chosen white cushions and have boys in the house! The white basketweave chair pads are made of Perennials, a stain resistant fabric that repels water and resists fading. They look chic, but they are also comfy and the guys have been hanging here and I am okay with their tacos etc… Everything just brushes right off! How cool is that?

Known for their fresh take on casual dining and home, Serena & Lily were the perfect choice for the look I was going for. They embody the California lifestyle very well with materials that are luxe and casual chic, yet never stiff or formal. Inviting is how everything feels and looks.

This Serena & Lily’s Seaview Rug is my other favorite thing in the kitchen. I wanted a long runner for the kitchen, something cool with a pattern, but that would wear well. This rug is made of recycled plastic and is water and UV resistant, yet feels like an expensive wool rug underfoot. It’s nice that you can spot clean it and also hose it off outside if you need to! Helpful with all these young guys who like to cook. So far everyone’s a fan, including the cats, who we have to step around when cooking dinner.

I like that you can flip this rug and use the other side at some point. I think this affordable rug was a smart investment and I am going to order another for our hallway.

This is the grey color of the Seaview Runner which is 2.6 x 10 feet. I also love the Turnstone Rug made of the same material.

For an open light feeling I went with open shelving on the uppers and have some of my pottery pieces from my trip to Positano here. Next to the stove I placed this cute ceramic Spinnaker Tray with rattan handles. It plays well with my mix of materials and I love that it reminds me of Hawaii with its tropical look.

The tray is handy next to the stove and holds my olive wood spoons from my travels and today these pretty Brela Napkins. I also use the tray on the island to hold more cloth napkins and bites when entertaining like below.

I am kind of a tray addict as they are a chic way of displaying your things, while keeping areas tidy. Serena & Lily has the most wonderful selection of trays in many colors and materials. This Spinnaker Tray also comes in Navy. My other favorites are this gorgeous Stonington fossilized clam shell tray (would be stunning on a bar), this Leila Bone Round tray is elegant for a bathroom or vanity counter, and I am in love with this set of three Marine Trays made of enamel and brass, so cool for a coffee table. I also have a crush on this wicker Bedford Tray and want it for an outdoor bar I hope to set up soon.

Isn’t this a fun way to set up a casual entertaining? Have everyone grab their items from a tray.

We’re loving our island for most of our meals now. I feel bad for the dining room, but it’s just so easy to cook here and set a cute meal quickly. I’ve been using cloth napkins exclusively now for years and I would never go back. They give meals a quality that paper napkins just can’t. I do one load of cloth napkins a week and never iron them, just fold them when warm.

Do you use a step-stool in the kitchen? My friend Erin came by and saw my new Teak Step Stool and flipped out about how cute it was. I think the wood and white is darling. Being on the shorter side, I’ve used it a ton already for my high cabinets and to get to my top open shelves. It’s sturdy enough that Max has has been using it for putting up bulbs and things. It is super durable teak and would be cute in a kid’s bath at the sink as well. Everyone can use one of these!

I hope you are loving the change of season as much as I am. Do you find yourself at the kitchen more as the weather turns cooler? I sure do. I’m looking forward to making soups and baking, pumpkins, pear tarts, and all the goodness that is coming. I hope this gives you a little glimpse into my new kitchen and some autumn inspiration!

Thank you to Serena & Lily for collaborating on this post and helping to sponsor the blog. As always, all opinions, writing, photos and mini-pumpkins on this blog are exclusively my own. 😉

Kim