The problem

This dysfunctional kitchen had a choppy layout.

The solution

Designer Candice Olson created a multifunctional space by removing the wall between the kitchen and family room and enlarging the archway into the dining room.

How it happened

• White Shaker-style cabinetry was chosen for the perimeter of the kitchen, while dark cabinets were selected for the long, multipurpose island and for the storage units surrounding the desk.

• A durable and stain-free quartz counter now extends the entire length of the kitchen space, and a tiled backsplash picks up the floor colors.

• In the "den" end of the new kitchen, a cozy sofa and a small round table offer casual seating, while a built-in desk with lots of adjoining storage space provides a convenient place to do homework. A wall-mounted TV is positioned above the desk.

• The hard ceramic floor was replaced with a three-color Marmoleum checkerboard tile floor that is easy to clean and soft underfoot, and melds with the cherry-toned hardwood and marble floor tile in the adjoining rooms.

Before: This 1980s kitchen didn’t work for the homeowners.

• Olson selected a hanging cutlery-themed light fixture for over the island, and selected a small chandelier for the breakfast nook.

• New stainless-steel appliances, including a roomy French-door fridge with bottom freezer, are stylish yet functional. The fridge is flanked by built-in pantry storage and lots of cupboards.

Best trick

To give the dark wood cabinets a bit of a distressed look, black stain was sprayed onto each door and then removed by hand with a cloth, leaving behind just a hint of black in corners and crevasses. The final effect is modern with a twist of traditional.

Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service. Interior decorator Candice Olson hosts "Candice Tells All," which appears on HGTV.