Real Housewife Vicki Gunvalson's Interior Designer Shares Her Styling Secrets
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Vicki Gunvalson might be the beloved OG of the OC, but after 10 years of filming scenes in her darker, more rustic-styled kitchen, she was ready for a completely fresh start. Her memorable kitchen underwent a huge transformation that wrapped earlier this year, and the final results are beyond breathtaking! Vicki, along with her amazingly talented interior designer, Leanne Michael, were able to completely reinvent this central space. What was once a heavier, more traditional room has been impressively remodeled into a more modern and bright kitchen dream. We were so inspired by her new space that we reached out to Leanne herself to get the scoop on these beautiful designs, plus how to achieve this airy and open kitchen vibe for ourselves!
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Steal This Perfect Paint Combo
Leanne softened the room by painting the walls and ceiling in a Spanish white with a velvety matte finish. To make it pop, she painted over the white trim on the doors and windows with a rich ebony brown/black. Leanne explains that these paint choices helped to give the space a fresh new vibe, enabling her to add on with "layers of faded blues, persimmons, creams, and antique golds mixed with [other] neutral wood tones."
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Create an Ideal Layout
Since Vicki loves to cook and entertain, Leanne replaced the kitchen peninsula and breakfast nook with a gorgeous 15-foot island for better flow and function. The new island can seat five comfortably and provides plenty of extra storage.
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Use Appliances as Stunning Focal Points
Leanne selected a freestanding Thermador dual range and a custom plaster-finish hood to serve as the dramatic central focus in Vicki's remodel, proving appliances can be both a functional necessity as well as an exquisite decorative detail.
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Personalize With Unique Details
Some of Leanne's favorite details in Vicki's kitchen include the alder wood cabinetry, hand carved wooden details on the island, the brass faucet alongside the stainless steel triple basin sink, the customized pendant lanterns, and the Moroccan tile.
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Choose Timeless Over Trendy When It Comes to the Details
Leanne believes that keeping longevity in mind when remodeling is key. "I'm not someone that generally follows short lived trends especially when designing for more permanent spaces such as kitchen and bath designs. I always suggest classic features blended with historical influences that complement the home architecture . . . combined with the latest in modern amenities," says Leanne.