“The amazing walnut butcherblock top is definitely a showcase in this kitchen,” McDowell shares. “The homeowners fell in love with a tri-color display in our Columbia showroom, and we worked to bring that same layered palette into their home.”
Custom Options, Endless Functionality
The kitchen was so large, it allowed space to incorporate two islands- one topped with quartz and another designated specifically for prep, crowned with the stunning Grothouse walnut butcherblock. Designed with utility and customization in mind, the butcherblock includes a large integrated juice groove on one side of the sink and plate grooves on the other, functional details that elevate the homeowner’s everyday culinary experience. Chopping and food prep, along with dishes and cleanup become seemingly effortless. But when it comes to a luxury kitchen, functionality must be balanced by aesthetics; and in this design, the richness of the walnut surface echoes the perimeter base cabinets, bringing natural warmth and depth, offsetting the clean lines of the surrounding white cabinetry.
Photo by Mark Nicolaus, Jr.
A defining challenge in this project? Scale. “This kitchen is so large,” McDowell explains. “We had to be thoughtful about how to fill the space without it feeling repetitive or sterile.” She responded with a smart mix of cabinet heights and depths, stacked cabinetry for vertical interest, and the introduction of a tri-color scheme, white upper cabinets, walnut bases, and a navy island, to create dynamic zones throughout the room.
Photo by Mark Nicolaus, Jr.
The Warmth and Versatility of Wood
Originally envisioned with a single island and a separate dining area, the design evolved to include a second matching island. “It was a game-changer,” McDowell notes. “It added crucial seating, echoed the finishes of the space, and helped to balance the generous proportions of the room.”
Functionality remained a cornerstone of the layout. With two full-sized sinks and dishwashers, the kitchen is tailored for a busy family with young children, making meal prep and cleanup both seamless and stylish.
McDowell is also seeing a growing trend in layered wood accents: “We’re incorporating wood in multiple places such as tops, hoods, and floating shelves, all against painted cabinetry. It introduces texture and warmth in a neutral, grounded way without adding a competing color.”
The end result? A kitchen that feels intentional, inviting, and exquisitely executed.
Photo by Mark Nicolaus, Jr.
Join the Grothouse Community
This project is a shining example of how wood surfaces can bring beauty and thoughtful function to the most celebrated room in the home. We’re proud to support visionary designers and partners like Kenwood Kitchens who use our products to elevate everyday spaces into something extraordinary. For information on how we can work together, call us at 610-767-6515.
Project Design Team
Cabinetry Design & Installation: Stephanie McDowell, Kenwood Kitchens
Interior Design: Emerald Hill Interiors
Cabinetry: WoodMode
Hardware: Top Knobs
Quartz Surfaces: MSI Q Quartz
Fabrication: Classic Granite & Marble
Wood Countertop: Grothouse End Grain Walnut Butcherblock
Photography: Mark Nicolaus, Jr.
