A Standard-Issue Brown Condo Kitchen Gets a Luxe Pink Makeover
Pink kitchens run the gamut from neon and bold, to understated and polished, and their inspiration can come from everywhere — from bright Barbie-inspired pinks to pastels that feel vintage. When Philippines-based designer Mars Sambo’s (@ishikawasambo) high school friend Francesca was looking to redesign her kitchen, pink just felt right.
“She’s had long pink hair for years,” Mars says, and the pair are both amused by the pink-haired TikToker and YouTuber Shiadanni. “When Shiadanni released the ‘Glam Kitchen Guacamole’ video, we joked that we should call this space the Glam Kitchen,” Mars says. “While [Francesca] might not (yet) make guacamole in a wide-brimmed hat and feather boa, she does love to cosplay, and honestly — this kitchen might just be the perfect stage for it.”
The kitchen has blush-colored cabinets, rose gold accents, and modern lighting, but it didn’t always look that way. When Mars got her hands on it, it “felt generic,” she says. “The original space had the typical beige palette and veneered cabinets that come standard in many condos.”
The kitchen underwent a complete renovation.
Mars worked with her high school friend (and contractors and suppliers and her friend’s boyfriend, an engineer), to overhaul the kitchen. They kept the same footprint, working around the soffits, but swapped out the cabinetry and appliances and added a peninsula.
“I really wanted the space to feel like her,” Mars says. “There’s enough space for her to cook, for her boyfriend to bake, and everything has a designated spot.”
Two of the standout details, to Mars, are the tall pull-out pantry and the rose gold baseboard. “As for materials, a little rose gold went a long way,” she says. “We used it sparingly — mainly in hardware and lighting,” whereas the ballet pink cabinetry is more of a neutral in this kitchen.
The backsplash brightened up the space.
Mars’ absolute favorite detail, though, is the backsplash. “This was the first time a client agreed to use a full mirror as a backsplash,” Mars says, and it “made the space feel bigger and brighter.” (After all, the kitchen, dining, and living areas combined are about 600 square feet.)
Measuring was key.
Mars’ biggest renovation advice, especially if you’re overseeing a project and aren’t there day-to-day doing the installation and work, like she was, is to “measure twice — or thrice,” she says, and “measure everything yourself … Don’t rely solely on floor plans or the dimensions provided by building management.” She says if you’re working with contractors, communication is key. Don’t leave room for assumptions.
She had one slight hiccup with the countertop height measurement (she was customizing to Francesca’s height but her contractors went with standard height), but overall, Mars’ precision paid off big-time and led to a beautiful cook space.
For more advice for undertaking a major kitchen renovation, check out this kitchen remodel cost guide, these tips for living within a renovation project that’ll take months to complete, and these instructions for creating a makeshift kitchen in the meantime.
Inspired? Submit your own project here.