This Virginia kitchen is part of a new-build family home in the Powhatan woods and incorporates timeless modern elements.
When it came to their wishlist for their Virginia kitchen, the homeowners had a clear vision: Family friendly, colorful and modern. When the homeowners of this custom-built home in the woods of Virginia served up their wish list to Jamie Ivey she set out to create a space that not only had all these ingredients, it had to stand the test of time. As the principal designer and creative director of The Ivey Design Group, Jamie designed this combined kitchen/dining area to have an energizing aesthetic.
On the color front, Jamie set to work using bold hues of green and blue. She created moments of high contrast by pairing dark, navy blue cabinets with white paint and neutral materials. Lively green Knoll Saarinen chairs pop brightly against the soft tones in the white oak flooring and cement dining table. Tenets of mid-century architecture can be found in the use of large windows and an open floor plan.

Making a Modern Virginia Kitchen
Jamie’s design choices prove that you can channel mid-century style in any space, whether new or old. She focused on clean lines, natural materials and statement chairs to bring in the mid mod vibe. Ample upper and lower cabinetry for storage keeps the quartzite countertops free of clutter. The stunning views from the windows remain unobstructed with flat front cabinetry and streamlined pendants. Jamie also avoided putting hardware on the upper cabinets. “By eliminating hardware, we created a seamless look,” she says.

Warm woods in a variety of tones create a soft backdrop for the bold lines found in the Virginia kitchen. These woods provide an aged feeling while adding mid-century warmth. The floors are matte white oak and Jamie chose them because they are durable and timeless. The beverage center in the dining room uses walnut to bring texture and more depth to the dining area while maintaining cohesion with the much lighter wood floors.
The lime green Knoll Saarinen dining chairs bring iconic mid-century shapes and color to the dining area. The cement table is a clever homage to MCM style as well. Cement was heavily used in mid-century architecture and having it here for a table is a playful incorporation of this design staple.
To pull in even more mid-century charm, Jamie handpicked the showstopping Gabriel Scott chandelier above the dining table. Its geometric shape and sheer size add to the Mid Century Modern feel in this space.
Pump Up the Color
The colors in the Virginia kitchen and dining rooms were heavily inspired by the captivating pond and lush greenery outside the home. Jamie eagerly leaned into these tones and explains how she added energy to the blue and green color combo. “Instead of muted greens and blues, we dialed it up to 11 and used lime and chartreuse, and deep navy and teal—inspired by nature but pumped up a bit,” she explains.
Other blue tones can be found in the bold quartzite countertops and in the tile backing of the beverage center in the dining room. “The bold blue backsplash we used was actually a last-minute change,” Jamie says. “Once we decided on bold lime dining chairs, we realized the soft muted blue wasn’t going to work.”
To play with color and contrast, Jamie chose two tones for the upper and lower cabinets. The lower cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy. “Cool-toned cabinetry colors juxtapose with white oak floors, wood and leather stools,” Jamie says. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension that is interesting to the eye.

One Great Chair
The Knoll Saarinen Executive chairs (Model 71 and 72) embody the organic functionality of mid-century design. Here are some fun facts about these chairs and their designer.
If you loved this Virginia kitchen and dining room, don’t miss Mid Century Decor Mixes with DIY Creations in a 1962 Virginia Home as well as Hexagon Haus: A Colorful Condo in Mammoth Lakes, California. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!