Tiny Kitchen Before and After

Speaking of kitchens, I was mightily impressed by this kitchen makeover that appeared on the One Kings Lane blog. A collaboration between two One Kings Lane employees, Danielle and Megan (both of who I happen to know!), this clever and attractive design makes the most of a teeny-tiny space. I should also note Danielle's kitchen has the exact layout of our kitchen, so it's a space that feels very familiar to me.

The coat of white paint really freshens up the space. Danielle also added white beadboard to the from of the island and a white subway tile backsplash, which she tiled herself.

Hanging cutting boards on the wall makes use of vertical space and adds a decorative accent to the room. A basket on top of the fridge can store pantry staples like onions and garlic.

Megan's genius white rack-and-board shelving (made from 4 small wine racks and a 1″ x 12″, cut to length) above the cabinets really maximizes the vertical space in the kitchen. I love how the semi-custom shelving makes it feel okay to put things on top of the cabinets. I've been using that space for years, but this looks so intentional and stylish.

The feather pendant lamps are gorgeous (and genius!), but I'm not sure they'd be my first choice for the kitchen. That said, I can imagine making one for a table lamp for a quiet corner. The step-by-step instructions are on Design*Sponge, if you feel inspired to try it yourself.

Photos by Manuel Rodriguez for One Kings Lane.

Mirror Backsplash in the Kitchen

Here's a small space solution that intrigues me: A mirror backsplash in the kitchen. I remember seeing photographs of designer Thomas O'Brien's New York City galley kitchen (above) years ago, and thinking that it was an interesting idea. The mirror reflects light into the room and gives a feeling of openess to the normally cramped-feeling space between the counter and the upper cabinets. Plus, glass is an easy material to clean (hello, Windex). On the negative side, the mirror could create visual clutter, if you keep a lot of things on your countertops.

It's hard to tell from these photos because they have been professionally lit and retouched, but I think they have me convinced that a mirror backsplash is a great idea for a small kitchen--or a big one for that matter! The mirror really does open up the space.

Thomas O'Brien must have decided a mirror backsplash was a wise choice because he repeated the mirrored look in this kitchen that appeared in Domino.

And another more recent interior by O'Brien, the kitchen design for the apartments at Greenwich Lane.

ASH NYC's Ari Heckman employed the same technique in his small West Village one bedroom, which was featured in Lonny. 

Not only space-enhancing, mirrors can give a kitchen a kick of glamor. Case in point: Mirrors line the walls in designer Stephanie Stokes's chic 48-square-foot kitchen in New York City, seen in House Beautiful. 

A mirror backsplash keeps the look clean in this white-on-white kitchen from Better Homes & Gardens. I like how the mirror does not continue behind the stovetop here.

What do you think? Does anyone have experience with a mirror backsplash? Is it practical? Better than tile? I'd love to hear your thoughts.