The One Room Pallavi Kale Will Never Forget

Interior designers and other experts in the home industry work on an impressive number of spaces throughout their careers. But even if some of the makeovers and redesigns start to blend together after a few years, there are some rooms that are just truly unforgettable. 

So, to give designers a chance to revisit their favorite projects—and to bring you plenty of inspiration for your own home—we’re sharing the one room these pros will remember forever. For some, there’s a sentimental connection, for others, there was an obstacle they never thought they’d overcome. But no matter what, these rooms are worth remembering.

Seattle-based designer Pallavi Kale operates by the design philosophy that a home should be "comfortable and cozy, but also carefully curated," as her website states. So, it's only fitting that the paint color used in one of her recent kitchen remodels was actually inspired by a sweater.

"My clients loved my sweater's color so much that we designed an entire kitchen around it," Kale reflects. "It's amazing how we find inspiration in different places."

The color in question? Cooking Apple Green by Farrow and Ball, a classic green that feels equally charmingly familiar, according to the paint company.

Kale says that this kitchen project is particularly memorable because of her wonderful clients, who were warm and trusting along the way. "I am thrilled that I delighted my clients and gave them a better kitchen than they could've ever imagined in this space," Kale shares.

To do so meant saying goodbye to the original kitchen's cramped layout and bulky appliances. "Even though the kitchen was small, we managed to fit all the appliances, added some counter space, and created a harmonious workflow," Kale says.

The designer left with a valuable lesson on working on rooms lacking in square footage. "This kitchen sets a great example that good space planning can make even small spaces functional and stylish," she notes.

One special addition? A Smeg fridge—which is stylish, of course, but also happens to be a perfect choice, given the kitchen's layout. "It is tall and skinny, perfect for a small space," Kale reflects.  

Kale opted for inset cabinets in the kitchen, which posed a bit of a challenge. Installing them requires much preciseness with no room for error, she explains. "The cabinet maker got the size of the oven wrong, so we had to modify the cabinets on-site," she adds.

Everything worked out in the end, though, and Kale is now inspired to use "more fun colors" when painting kitchen cabinets as part of her other projects.

The designer is also pleased with how she was able to merge both style and practicality when tackling the kitchen.

"I believe that aesthetics and function are equally important, and this room signifies both," she comments. "I also think that space and colors affect the mood; clean lines and cheerful colors do help combat the Seattle grey, in my opinion."