When Kevin and Erin Marr (here with their cat, Arlo) bought this San Francisco home a few years ago, they knew from day one that the builder-basic kitchen had to go. It didn’t have any of the character of the 1911 Edwardian-style house. With help from designers Gina Gutierrez and Ariel Richardson, they totally reimagined it and, because they both work remotely, they added a key feature: a new home office.

Before the reno, this kitchen lacked counterspace ... and personality.

The new, quartz-topped island is prep central. Because all the cabinets are on a single wall, the designers suggested painting some white and others charcoal. It helps break up the space, says Kevin: “And the white uppers feel lighter, like there’s less hovering above you.” The caned stools are from France & Son.

The designers selected this eye-catching backsplash tile. Grooves in the tiles create the cool striped pattern when grout is applied. To make the look even more special, they had a custom grout color made to match the teal shiplap (painted Iron Creek by Dunn-Edwards).