Corner Renovation

Japandi Kitchen Retreat in Upstate New York

Warm and pared-back, this Japandi kitchen layers clean lines with the quiet luxury of natural wood. The American walnut cabinetry adds depth and tactility, grounding the space without overwhelming it.

Get an estimate for this American walnut Japandi kitchen

American walnut brings warmth and comfort to the kitchen, balanced by light walls, ambient lighting, and elegant metal accents

Japandi kitchen cabinets paired with open shelving create a light-filled, airy space that feels both functional and inviting.

Cami and Mike found Corner on Instagram while collecting ideas for their kitchen. They were after something simple but not plain—clean lines, natural materials, and a little soul. Japandi felt just right.

They kicked things off with samples. Swapped ideas and sketches. Talked layout and storage over Zoom. The kitchen came together gradually, settling into their 19th-century Upstate New York home as if it had always belonged.

They wanted the space to be warm but minimal—practical, not stark. Natural textures, smart storage, nothing unnecessary. They chose Corner’s Japandi in American Walnut: clean lines, push-to-open doors, and a rich wood tone that grounded the room without making it feel too dark.

"We liked the Japandi look, but we didn’t want it to come off too pale or flat," Cami said. "The walnut has just the right depth—it’s warm and grounding, never cold."

With its white matte finish, the farmhouse sink complements the surrounding American walnut cabinet fronts, highlighting the island’s natural aesthetic and multifunctional design.

The Bertazzoni oven brings advanced technology to the kitchen, with all handles, knobs, and door surfaces made from fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.

The kitchen island serves as a welcoming gathering spot, featuring American walnut side panels that echo the cabinetry and a warm white countertop that softens the composition.

In addition to the refrigerator, a Bertazzoni oven was chosen as the kitchen’s main appliance. This Italian brand is known for creating appliances that integrate seamlessly into cohesive interiors. Its refined design and high-performance features align beautifully with the kitchen’s modern functionality and unified aesthetic.

The island became the anchor. It started as a small prep zone but grew—now it seats four, with plenty of room to move around, even near the back door. At just over seven feet, it strikes a balance between gathering space and utility.

"The island gave the kitchen a natural center," Cami said. "Now it’s where everything happens—from prepping dinner to chatting over coffee."

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The addition of a corner cabinet enhances the functionality of this Japandi kitchen, contributing to a compact, efficient, and user-friendly layout.

The standout feature of the pantry organization is a coffee station on a pull-out shelf, one of the most practical storage solutions for minimalist kitchens.

To keep things tidy without breaking the flow, the team explored a couple of corner cabinet options before landing on Vibo’s Flybox system—a smooth, pull-out design that paired well with the push-to-open fronts.

They also added a custom appliance garage with a pull-out shelf to hold the everyday essentials: a Vitamix blender, coffee maker, kettle. It keeps the counters clear and mornings simple.

“Breakfast is very important to us,” said Mike. “That’s why we wanted a breakfast area where everything would be in one place. The garage idea turned out to be amazing.”

With under-shelf lighting, the kitchen gains both function and a sense of openness. It casts a warm glow across the space while enhancing visibility in the work area.

The interplay of lighting and material tones gives the kitchen a soft, golden radiance.

Paired with open shelving, this subtle lighting defines the space, draws attention to neatly arranged dishes and appliances, and adds a cozy feel.

Lighting turned out to be one of the quiet highlights—soft, warm, and more important than expected. A built-in LED strip was tucked beneath the shelves, with wiring concealed inside.

"The effect is stunning," Mike said. "It’s subtle but adds so much atmosphere. It’s like the whole space glows around it."

For convenient and spacious storage, we chose Blum’s MERIVOBOX drawers for their sturdy construction and thoughtful design. They are built to handle heavy loads while maintaining a minimalist profile and integrate naturally into the overall kitchen layout. The modular drawer system allows for flexible interior organization without disrupting the clean visual rhythm.

Blum metal boxes sit behind the handleless cabinet fronts, offering durable, high-capacity storage while preserving the clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Warm ambient lighting and refined minimalist decor lend the Japandi kitchen a serene and inviting atmosphere.

The goal of this renovation wasn’t just to build a new kitchen—it was to create a considered space that feels lived in. Natural veneer American walnut fronts, soft lighting, and an uncluttered layout make the kitchen balanced and inviting—true to the Japandi spirit.

“We always wanted something with a Scandinavian feel, and this is exactly what we had in mind,” said Cami. “It’s calm, cozy, and everything just fits the way we live.”

“We really like how everything turned out,” Mike added. “The materials, lighting, layout—everything came to life before our eyes. It really suits how we live.”