Designer Vanessa Francis transforms a drab kitchen into a bright English farmhouse-style space. Discover how she combined a serene palette, hits of black and a furniture-style, colorful island to add character to the room.

Vanessa swapped the kitchen’s warm, brown tones for off-white cabinets and countertops. She kept some of the existing cabinets and added crown molding at the top to take them to the ceiling. Black hardware, sconces and lantern lighting deliver graphic punch, while a grey-blue kitchen island offers a subtle wash of color. Classic white subway tile and quartz countertops complete the pretty space.