Date:  July 1, 2022  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Tiffany Adams  |  

Designer Laure Antonetti Schutze brings color and order to a Little Rock family’s kitchen

Years ago, fate brought designer Laure Antonetti Schutze and her clients Kim and Charles Glenn together when Kim reached out to an online service for a den makeover. While the entire exchange took place over email, she and Laure soon figured out they lived just 10 minutes from one another. Needless to say, a relationship formed and when the Glenns were ready to renovate their kitchen, they already had a local designer in mind.

One of the couple’s main concerns with their previous U-shaped layout was how it confined the kitchen. “The peninsula that divided the spaces also housed the cooktop, so it ate up a lot of the workspace,” Laure says. Removing this wall of cabinetry and reconfiguring three adjoining spaces—the kitchen as well as the back entry and laundry—allowed for a more suitable traffic flow in all areas and made room for a center island. “The island has made the kitchen so much nicer for gatherings because you can get people around it,” Kim says. Along with seating for three, it also has a convection microwave, pull-out spice cabinet, trash bins, and roomy storage for large items such as platters and small appliances. “Every square inch in there is available to use for something,” Laure says.

In terms of style, Kim was immediately drawn to color. “She called and said, I’m kind of thinking color, and my heart started fluttering,” Laure says with a laugh. “We’re more eclectic and I like pops of color, so when it came to doing our kitchen, it was the obvious choice,” Kim adds, pointing to the cabinetry hue, which was the jumping off point for the design. “I wanted it to be bright but also neutral enough that I could pair other things with it. Almost anything I put in here—from copper and orange to blue and purple—goes with the space,” she adds.

Paint Color “Sea Salt” by Sherwin-Williams

Central Station
A space previously occupied by an antique buffet is now a built-in beverage station with workspace and storage. “We wanted this area to relate to the kitchen but also have its own feel,” Laure says, pointing to the copper penny backsplash that pairs with the same countertop, cabinetry color, and hardware seen throughout the rest of the kitchen. An ice maker and fridge create an instant bar area when the couple entertain.

“We’re outdoorsy, so that’s where all the touches of wood, rusted metals, and vintage pieces come into play.”
—Kim Glenn, homeowner

Metal Mix
“I really like mixing metals, and I knew from the beginning I wanted to do that here,” Kim says, noting the pull-down brass faucet and hammered copper sink, which blend effortlessly with the stainless steel appliances.

On the Surface
One of the first purchases the Glenns made were the “Fantasy Brown” granite countertops. To complement their laidback lifestyle and love of nature, they opted for a matte, leathered finish that allows the contour of the stone to be both seen and felt.

Textured Tile
A subway tile with a hand-formed look covers the backsplash, bringing in texture rather than additional pattern. “I didn’t want to overwhelm the area with something too busy. This has a really cool look that brings in some personality,” Laure says.

Mint to Be
The cabinetry color (“Sea Salt” by Sherwin-Williams) can read blue, green, or gray depending on the light. Clean-lined brass pulls stand out against the hue.

Design Resources
Contractor Jeffrey Lewis, J. Lewis Construction Interior Design Laure Antonetti Schutze, L. Antonetti Design Appliances Metro Appliances & More Cabinetry Capitol Custom Cabinets, Inc. Countertops Affordable Granite & More Fixtures, Hardware, Lighting, and Tile L. Antonetti Design Flooring Carpet Mills Furniture (Barstools) Cantrell Furniture Design Center Paint Sherwin-Williams Painting David Zoellner, Metropolitan Painting and Decorating Window Coverings Made in the Shade