Family Ties Played a Special Role in This Kitchen Renovation

Text by Katie Ellis

When Jordan Yarbrough and his wife, Hamilton, moved into their cottage-style ranch in 2016, they immediately began planning for a renovation. “We were going for a modern farmhouse feel,” Jordan says of the space, noting both he and Hamilton tend to like a blend of timeless, classic style with a modern, clean design.

Small changes, like replacing the flooring throughout the house and removing a few walls to open up the living areas, made a significant impact on the home’s overall look and feel, but the biggest changes were made in the heart of the home. The kitchen got a complete facelift with all-new cabinets, marble countertops, appliances, and, of course, lots of paint. While they were at it, the couple added a laundry room and pantry space off the kitchen where the formal dining room used to be.

One of the main goals the Yarbroughs shared in creating this dreamy kitchen was making a place that would be large enough to cook together and entertain while still feeling cozy and relaxed. “We both love to cook, so we wanted a kitchen that would be comfortable to work in and also one that would work well for entertaining,” Jordan says. “Every time we entertain, it never fails, everyone ends up circled around the island.”

The custom white shiplap range hood visually anchors the kitchen’s back wall and adds interest to the counter-to-ceiling white subway tile backsplash. The large apron front sink and patinaed brass hardware pop against the striking green lower cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green. “Hamilton was insistent on green cabinets, and I’m so thankful because we love how they turned out,” Jordan says. 

One of the things that makes this project extra special is its unique tie to family. Not only did the couple move into Jordan’s grandparents’ old home, but they truly hit the jackpot when it came to home remodeling because Hamilton’s father is a contractor and her sister is a designer. “From design ideas to swinging hammers, we couldn’t have done it without our families,” Jordan says. “We did hire out some of the more specialized aspects of the project, but it was definitely a family affair.”