When it comes to kitchens, the de-facto all-white design craze has simmered down in a big way. When LU Design Build was tapped to fully renovate the first floor of a house for a couple that was downsizing in St. Louis, Missouri, interior designer Rochelle Mcavin got to work. “The client was looking for something that had a real midcentury modern vibe, so we used a lot of natural materials,” says Mcavin. “She really wanted everything to have an organic element, hence the walnut cabinetry and the locally-sourced limestone.”

To create a kitchen that served the family’s lifestyle, where everything felt open but with a clean aesthetic, Mcavin referenced nature as inspiration. The dark green cabinetry not only reads as a neutral but instills a sense of calm into the space. The contrasting woods add interest while a gorgeous wallpaper that keeps to the color palette shows birds in motion.

In terms of the appliances, Mcavin kept them all hidden—except our 30” Refrigerator, shown in a matte white and brass. “The client loved that the unit purely served as a refrigerator, the built-in factor, and that it was locally made was a big deal—it had more of a green element to it,” she explains. “It is the only appliance you can actually see in the room, but it has enough of a  presence that it can hold its own.” It also offers a beautiful pop of color echoed in the lighting above the kitchen island, and adds to the kitchen’s design without taking away from it.

Now principal of her own firm, Mcavin Design, as well as working as an independent contractor for LU Design Build, the designer loved that the final results were received so well. “It’s not pretentious but it’s inviting,” she says. “And the client felt like it reflected her personality and she was really happy.” As for using our units again? “I love that True Residential is local. It means something. I also like the fact that the stainless steel interiors will keep food fresh much longer and the LED lighting on the interior of the fridge makes a big difference,” says Mcavin.