Our first kitchen idea board is up! The style is modern, the Akurum cabinets are Adel Birch and the main accent color is....

...ORANGE! With some teal thrown in, too. Feeling a little trepidation over going so bold in such a big way? Check out this Attic Mag link to help inspire courage.

By saving money in the cabinet department, you are freed up to spring for smaller luxuries, such as beautiful lighting and the post-mod Kohler Karbon faucet. This kitchen is a mixture of sleek glossy textures and luxe tactile pleasures, thanks to the Marimekko tea towels and Anthropologie curtains.

orange and aqua modern decor

The freestanding Ikea Varde cabinet can serve as an island, or when placed against a wall, will function as both a workspace and a buffet. White upper cabinets add overhead storage without creating a claustrophobic feel.

The Solid Brass Oval Knobs in a nickel finish perfectly compliment the modern decor; a seamless blend between vintage styling and contemporary sleekness. The knobs pick up the shine of the CB2 seating as well as accentuating the gleam of the futuristic Kohler faucet.

Pure white Ceasarstone counters carry over the crisp starkness of the Varde cabinet and white Rohl fireclay under mount sink. Opaque and light, the striking contrast between the white elements and the vibrant translucency of the Modwalls Lush 3" x 6" glass subway tile in Quince adds dimension to the kitchen. Instead of installing the subway tile in a running brick pattern, I prefer keeping the tile on the backer paper and going for  a stacked, vertical installation. It will save loads of time and also contribute to the sense of order created by this high meets low end remodel.

Natural stained bamboo flooring is economical, practical and keeps things light. Contrary to what one may instinctually feel, light flooring is more adept at hiding dirt than darker varieties. Let your golden retriever run free with this flooring; you won't notice his shed hairs unless you look at the bottom of your black socks!

Materials pictured:

Varde  Counter Storage Unit / $499 / Ikea

Varde Glass Door Wall Cabinet / $199 / Ikea

Rohl 6347 Fireclay Undermount Kitchen Sink / $374 / American Home Plus

Adel Birch Doors + Akurum Cabinet Boxes / Assorted Prices / Ikea 

Lush 3" x 6" Quince Glass Subway Tiles /  $22 sq. ft. / Modwalls

Solid Brass Oval Knob / $4.50 / Horton Brasses

Pure White Ceasarstone

Kohler Karbon Kitchen Faucet / $598 / HomePerfect

Marimekko Nooa Tea Towels (set of 2) /  $39 / Marimekko Concept Store

Danish Hang On Honey Orange Pendant Light /  $373 /  FunktionAlley 

Marrakech Curtain /  $108 /  Anthropologie

Phoenix Orange Bar Stools / $149 / CB2

CaliBowl Del Mar Ceramic Retro Aqua Blue Bowls (set of 5) / $29 / Overstock

Morningstar Natural Bamboo Flooring / $3 sq. ft. / Lumber Liquidators

Throughout this series of posts, there will be a lot of mixing of higher end and lower end materials, however, quality will not be sacrificed. The kitchen is a room of the house that actually gets used, therefore, utilitarianism remains the driving force--second only sometimes to fashion ;)

The most notable splurges in this kitchen are the counter tops, sink and faucet. When doing an under mount sink, it is a good idea to spend a little extra on the sink, especially if that means buying a reputable brand with a track record for durability. It is not easy to change out an under mount sink, especially when expensive stone countertops need moving. Likewise, choose your faucet carefully. An under mount sink requires wholes drilled directly into your stone counters to accommodate your faucet. Take time to contemplate your faucet because the amount of holes required drilled will dictate any future change outs. Next Ikea budget kitchen remodel post, we will abandon the slick surfaces of the modern kitchen in favor of traditional stylings and earthy textures.