Create a Kitchen That Lasts Forever

Mina Cerny, a nonprofit consultant, and James, a college professor, live with their kids, Rosemary, 5, and Louis, 3. After bouncing around five cities in 12 years, they settled in a 1972 Austin, Texas, ranch home. The details they chose for their kitchen remodel are bright, bold and definitely not intended for resale!

Mina's designer, Amity Worrel, found the cement tiles at originalmissiontile.com. She considered multicolor, but decided on blue and white, which gave her more freedom to play with other colors elsewhere.

"I wanted as many as I could fit," says Mina, which meant tile up to the ceiling. Tile was used below and above the windows.

Mina and James considered barstools where the kids could sit and eat, but because stools would block the open-space flow, they went with a table instead. It's attached to the side of the island, a design risk Mina doesn't regret. "I love having a separate dining space, and I'm happy the kids aren't up high."