Rustic Modern Kitchen Cabinets

This rustic modern kitchen was designed with a large kitchen island and plenty of creative storage options to make the perfect modern farmhouse open concept kitchen / living / dining space.

modern farmhouse kitchen with black, white, and wood | Maison de Pax

I cannot even explain the happy dance I’m doing right now. Just imagine something so epic that my children would be embarrassed to be seen with me for at least a week.

Why the over-the-top awkward jive? Well, this project which has been months in the making (and, honestly, almost a decade in the dreaming)… and it turned out even better than I could have imagined.

toe kick drawers and other kitchen cabinet innovations | Maison de Pax

As we get closer and closer to being able to really use this new weekend place for our family (we’re still finishing out a few things upstairs before we can put it to full use), the excitement is only growing. I’ve got so many details to share with you about the full space, but today I want to focus on one main thing: the kitchen cabinets.

pantry pull out with organizing drawers | Maison de Pax

This post is sponsored by KraftMaid. All opinions are my own.

Open Concept Kitchen

I first shared a few months ago my overall vision for this space. The main thrust of the plan was to remove the walls on either side of the kitchen and turn the front of the home (what was formerly a small living room, narrow kitchen, and a bedroom) into a large, open living/kitchen/dining space.

As a reminder, this is what the interior looked like before.

modern farmhouse kitchen before renovation | Maison de Pax

Key to creating that new space (and any kitchen, really) was the cabinetry. In this case, we needed a huge island to provide working areas, seating at the bar, and easy flow between the three spaces. So I partnered with KraftMaid to design the perfect rustic modern space.

giant wood island in kitchen with barstools | Maison de Pax

Rustic Modern Kitchen Design

If you knew the number of samples I carried around with me and the number of different combinations I considered, you’d be tempted to roll your eyes as much as Mr. Pax did in this process – ha! But truly, there were so many good options, it was very difficult to choose. In the end, we landed on a rustic alder cabinet in natural for the island (you can read more about our decision process here). The style is a simple 3″ shaker cabinet, and in the rustic alder it gives a warm, country feel that’s perfect for this little ranch house.

wood island with white quartz countertops kitchen | Maison de Pax

To balance out the country feel of the wood island, though, I wanted some crisp, clean white cabinetry, as well. So we used Dove White 3″ shaker cabinets in maple to create the main working space with a sort of galley-style kitchen between the island and the front of the house (see more about kitchen layouts and design options here).

modern farmhouse kitchen with rustic beams | maison de pax

In this area, we’ve included all our major working kitchen aspects: the triangle (fridge, sink, stove), trash, pots and pans, and more.

white fridge, rustic beams, wood island in kitchen | Maison de Pax

We topped all the cabinets off with these beautiful bronze knobs and pulls, also provided by KraftMaid.

Creative Kitchen Storage

Although the full space is amazing (truly, I’m blown away every time I step through the door!), the actual working kitchen is not huge, especially given our plans to fill this home with lots of family and friends. As I mentioned, it is essentially a 10′ galley-style kitchen, so creative storage within this section was a big priority. Luckily, KraftMaid cabinets made it easy!

Pull out organizers

I have a spice pull out right beside our stove in my other kitchen that I love, so repeating that here was definitely in the plans.

organized spice pull out drawer | Maison de Pax

And since the main pantry is all the way around the island, I wanted some kind of smaller pantry-style organizer within the working space… And a larger pull-out beside the fridge was the perfect solution.

organized pantry pull out drawer shelves | Maison de Pax

Trash pull out

I know this is not a novel concept, but our other kitchen does not include a trash pull out, and we have always missed it… This double trash pull out (which even includes a special liner between the trash drawer and the top drawer to block odors!) is such a convenient addition to a functioning kitchen.

double trash pull out kitchen cabinets modern farmhouse | Maison de Pax

Layered cutlery organizers

It’s the small things, but this might be my favorite aspect of the brilliant KraftMaid options. These layered cutlery organizers are so beautifully made and offer endless options for organized storage. Portions slide open to reveal more storage underneath!

gold silverware in layered cutlery drawer | Maison de Pax

Canister organization

I haven’t even decided what will go into these canisters yet, but I love them!

oxo canister organizer in kitchen drawer | Maison de Pax

Pots and pans storage

Pegs and dividers offer beautifully organized pots and pans within reach.

peg organizer for pots and pans drawers | Maison de Pax

Toe kick drawers

This was a new option for me! Did you know they make drawers that actually use that formerly wasted space beneath the cabinets? In this big-island kitchen where we will likely be entertaining kids at the bar, it’s a perfect option for coloring books or other things my kids would like to use but would be in the way in the actual kitchen cabinets. I think we may end up with placemats or cookie sheets in them, too!

toe kick drawers by KraftMaid | Maison de Pax

Additional Storage for Kitchen and Dining

As if all those amazing small-space organization options weren’t enough, we used more beautiful KraftMaid cabinetry throughout the space to really optimize our storage.

Dining room storage

We used an additional bank of cabinets to act as a credenza in the dining room; we can store dishes and serving items below, and the counter provides the perfect buffet for large family dinners.

open shelves above kitchen cabinets | Maison de Pax

Kitchen island storage

We also included cabinetry under the bar for additional storage. It’s not super easy to access, obviously, but roll out drawers help, and it’s perfect for a little extra space.

wood island with storage and white marble countertops | Maison de Pax

Broom closet cabinet

We filled up a little empty nook beside the stairs with a floor to ceiling cabinet with broom hooks below and shelves above – perfect for cleaning supplies.

floor to ceiling broom closet cabinet in kitchen | Maison de Pax

Small pantry storage

And finally, we converted the former AC closet into a little walk in pantry. Drawers and shelves line the walls for additional storage in this sweet little space.

kitchen pantry beside stairs | Maison de Pax

Mudroom storage

And more to come on this soon, but here’s a sneak peek around the backside of the pantry into the laundry area. We continued the 3″ shaker cabinets but changed it up a bit with the color. The mudroom-style cabinetry in there is even more storage for this full house.

navy laundry room with wood shelves under stairs | Maison de Pax

navy and white laundry room with wood shelves | Maison de Pax

Quality Kitchen Cabinets

In addition to all the innovations and creative storage options, I am consistently blown away by the quality of the KraftMaid cabinetry. If you know the story of our other kitchen, you know that we purchased the home with KraftMaid cabinetry already in it, and we loved the quality as well as the option to update the look (which wasn’t our style) simply by replacing the doors. So, completely unsponsored and out of our own pockets, we purchased KraftMaid doors for that space… and love them still today. That made my decision easy when it came to working with KraftMaid on this project, as I could already rave about the quality of the craftsmanship.

organized spice pull out beside stove modern farmhouse kitchen | Maison de Pax

Seriously, the construction of the cabinets…

roll out shelves in kitchen cabinets | Maison de Pax

And the quality of the finishes…

rustic wood island with white quartz kitchen counters | Maison de Pax

Couldn’t be more beautiful.

The soft-close drawers and doors (which come standard) are wonderful, too.

layered cutlery drawer for cooking utensils | Maison de Pax

This space has honestly captured my heart so fully… I’m ready to move in. Think a sleeping bag under the island would be a weird addition? 😉

modern farmhouse kitchen with wood island and white countertops | Maison de Pax

Thank you to KraftMaid for your partnership and beautiful cabinetry… and most of all for your incredible encouragement of me and my designs for this space!

To the rest of you, visit KraftMaid for more kitchen and cabinet design ideas, or visit your local retailer to work with a KraftMaid certified designer on your own space.

big wood island kitchen with white counters and black accents

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95 Comments

  1. Rachel!!! It’s SO GOOD! I would move a mattress and sleep in there just to spend more time in that kitchen. And all the cabinet features are killer! That spice rack is my one year old’s dream– and mine too.

  2. Wow! Totally blown away by how your vision came together. Such a wonderful space for you and your whole family. It turned out gorgeous . So happy for you.

  3. I LOVE your new kitchen! The white appliances are my favorite part – we went with white in our new kitchen renovation and I couldn’t be happier!!! Just beautiful!

        1. Hi Beth, It is an engineered white oak made by Greenworld Industries. This is the Artisan line in the color Larsson. We have the same Artisan line flooring in our home and our ranch (in different colors), and we have loved it! It’s a UV oil finish, which we have been really happy with. I hope this helps!

  4. Oh my goodness! This is simply beautiful and your eye for design is amazing! If I hadn’t just redone my kitchen a few years ago, I’d be copying your design! Make special memories in this beautiful place!

  5. Beautiful kitchen and it is refreshing to see the wood island and beams incorporated into a white kitchen. Love the mixture of natural elements with the crisp white appliances and cabinets and the black accents. Beautifully done! Enjoy!

  6. Beautiful job! Cabinetry couldn’t be more perfect! The pendants over island and sink are really eye catching. Who is the maker and were they purchased online or in store? Thanks!

  7. Beautiful. Just love all you have done.
    Can you please tell me where you purchased the spice jars large and small.
    Thank you

  8. What a gorgeous kitchen you’ve put together! I am super impressed with the quality of KraftMaid and the storage options. The rustic alder is just perfect in this space!

  9. Outstanding!! Congratulations & thanks for sharing your journey. Beautiful work. Love it all.

  10. I can see all the love and dreams that went into your kitchen. A lot of great memories are just around the corner.

  11. Good morning,
    Beautiful kitchens!
    Would you be able to share with me the product and color used on your ranch countertop and your home countertop. Thank you.
    Carlene

  12. I truly love your new kitchen design! What a wonderful space to retreat to. Could you share where you got the kitchen stools. I am looking for some backless stools so they can slide under the counter. Thanks! Enjoy

  13. Great job! I remodeled my kitchen a couple of years ago and already I wish I could do it again – 20/20 hindsight. You’ve done a great job of planning the organization you need. Yay you!

  14. I believe this is the best one yet, the other kitchens you had were pretty wonderful but this one is super. You have really accomplished a dream.

    1. Thank you! I love how it feels so much my style, but different from my white and marble kitchen.

  15. This kitchen is to die for!!! You’ve done an awesome job!!!
    I LOVE your dining room light fixture! Maybe you’ve referenced it before & I’ve Missed it, but could you please share where it’s from? TY!

  16. Wowser! How incredibly beautiful….Every. Single. Detail. What an incredible sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Congrats.

  17. Wow! Just wow! This is not only absolutely beautiful but it’s so smart. Love all those clever storage ideas. Everything works so well together too. I think you may bring back white appliances! May you and your fam make wonderful memories in it!

    1. Maggie! You are so sweet! White appliances are really amazing! I’m loving all of these fun cabinet options!

  18. Beautiful job! Can you tell me what the flooring is made of? Would like to use that in my dark kitchen!
    Thanks!
    Cynthia

    1. Thank you! It’s an engineered white oak. I’m sharing more about it on the blog tomorrow. 🙂

  19. Gorgeous! Considering Kraftmaid for our kitchen reno. May I please ask the dimensions of your island, both cabs and countertop?

    1. Thank you! The cabinets are 10 feet wide and 3.5 feet deep (24″ deep cabinets on the range side and just 18″ deep cabinets on the bar side). The countertop is approximately 10.5′ wide and 4.5′ deep (just a little overhang on three sides and a full foot on the bar side). Hope this helps!

  20. I love your new kitchen!! The rustic island cabinetry is wonderful! Loving all the details! Enjoy! 😉

  21. Gorgeous! Oh how I miss my KraftMaid cabinets! The new owners of my old home were so excited to get those cabinets so it’s a good selling point too for those who are considering new cabinets.

  22. Rachel, the kitchen is gorgeous! Of course it is as you designed it and it so says, “Rachel”. I am thrilled to see the white KitchenAid appliances as I have only seen them on-line. These are the appliances I have chosen for the new house. So happy to see them here! The kitchen truly has a very happy personality!!! Bravo Rachel!!!

    1. Thank you, Shirley! It was so fun to design a kitchen that felt like ‘me’ but also true to the Texas Hill Country space!

  23. I LOVE what you did in the laundry room. My kitchen remodel style is very similar to this and I wanted to do a different cabinet color in the laundry room, however, with the rooms only being separated by a doorway, would this look out of place? Since the rooms flow, do the cabinets need to match?

    1. Hi Lauren! I don’t think they need to match- anymore than you can mix wood tones and styles. Do the colors look nice together?

      1. Thank you for your reply. I actually haven’t picked colors for the laundry room yet, but my kitchen colors will match this one. I did pick a black and white designed tile floor that room. Just stuck on the color!

        1. I hear you! What about a deep teal? Or a pale blue? I think you have a lot of options! As long as the colors don’t clash, I think it will look great. And I think it helps if the cabinet styles are the same. 🙂

  24. Hi Rachel! I’m new to your blog but read through it after we realized that we designed our kitchen island based on yours that we happened to see on the Kraftmaid Facebook page. It sold us on the natural rustic alder but can I ask you if it’s the suede finish??? Thank you and Brava on creating this beautiful space!

    1. Hi Abby, how exciting! And thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, the finish is rustic alder in natural suede. I hope this helps!

  25. Hi!

    Thanks for your post! We are designing our kitchen island similar to yours. May I ask how do you handle the island end cap? The store told us there is no island end cat with rustic alder.

    Thank you!

    1. Apologies for the slow reply! That’s very strange. We did our kitchen two years ago, so things may have changed… but what we capped our island with was something called a WAIN01 (wainscot panel) that was custom sized for the height/width. I hope that helps!

  26. You have a lovely kitchen and it has helped me solve my desire to blend painted cabinets with the warmth of wood and still have quartz countertops! Thank you for your great ideas!

  27. We are redoing old cabin. Would white shaker as upper upper cabinets & rustic alder lower cabinets work in a small L shaped kitchen ? Unfortunately we don’t have room for an island. Thank you

    1. Hi Marianne, I think white uppers and wood lowers would be beautifully rustic for a cabin kitchen!

    1. The island is Kraftmaid’s Rustic Alder wood in a Natural (i.e. no stain) Suede (a bit more matte than their normal sealer) finish. It was all done in-factory by Kraftmaid. I hope this helps!

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