Sara Davis of Sincerely Sara D. Gave Us A Tour of Her Kitchen

This blogger designed a neutral space with vibrant pops of color to lighten and enliven her kitchen.

Sincerely, Sara D.
Photography by Melody Carpenter

Text by Hannah Jones

After obtaining a business degree and a second degree in art and design and working for a greeting card company for a time, Sara Davis started her blog, Sincerely Sara D., more than five years ago as a way to fulfill her need for creativity. “I was created to create,” she explains. “It’s what makes me tick.” Since then, the blog has been a sort of journal for her and her family, tracking a move and multiple home renovations. Sharing her traditional style with pops of color, Sara has gained a following of devoted readers who love her bold design choices.

Sincerely, Sara D. kitchen
Photography by Melody Carpenter

Blogger Sara Davis has seen her fair share of kitchen renovations. So, when she won a complete kitchen remodel after entering a competition at a conference, you could say she was prepared for the challenge ahead and knew exactly what she wanted this time. “Our number one goal in the space was to open up the kitchen to make it more conducive for our family and entertaining,” she says.

To do this, she worked in stages over a nine-week time frame, starting by ripping out and removing the existing kitchen floor plan—including everything that was already there—and removing part of the wall that closed the kitchen off from the den. After this came the drywall application and cabinet assembly. Sara chose light gray and white cabinet colors with one set of glass doors to keep the space open and airy. She replaced appliances that were original to the home with all new ones and added a white farmhouse sink with gold fixtures to match the cabinet hardware. For the countertops, she chose a durable quartz that resembles marble to give the kitchen a polished, more elegant aesthetic. A floor-to-ceiling subway tile backsplash adds a touch of vintage style that still feels fresh.

Sincerely, Sara D. kitchen
Photography by Melody Carpenter

After the renovation and remodel came the truly fun part: designing and decorating. Because the walls of the adjoining living room are painted navy blue, Sara kept the kitchen light and breezy. As a color enthusiast, though, she had to add a few bold hues here and there. “I love dreamy, neutral designs, but I crave color,” she admits. “I find that I mix both of these into my designs.” This need for bold hues was fulfilled by adding a deep pink patterned rug in front of the sink and a navy blue velvet bench in the breakfast nook. Shiplap walls with gold-and-white shelving provide a focal point for the charming nook, lined with windows to bring in plenty of natural light.

Sincerely, Sara D. kitchen
Photography by Melody Carpenter

All the work couldn’t have fallen on the shoulders of anyone more fit for the job. “Our kitchen is definitely my favorite large-scale DIY renovation,” Sara says. “I remember that moment of sheer panic after we’d demolished our kitchen in less than two hours. I just stared at the empty shell and wondered how the heck we were going to put it back together, but we did!”

To see more of Sara’s home and her full kitchen renovation, visit her blog at sincerelysarad.com.