THE STORY
Plum Reverie | Seattle
Anchored by a dramatic plum-colored island inspired by our client’s favorite lipstick, this open-plan kitchen layers rich walnut cabinetry, seamlessly integrated appliances, and tailored storage into a composition of quiet luxury. A bespoke range hood in a liquid metal finish pairs with expressive granite surfaces that read as functional art. A skylight washes the space with daylight, while layered evening lighting brings warmth, drawing the family to the dining banquette that flows naturally into the adjoining living spaces.
At first glance, it was the architecture that drew us in: the soaring volume of the room, the dramatic slope of the ceiling, the skylight overhead, and the way natural light animated the space.
Despite the beauty of the envelope, the existing kitchen lacked the elegance and ease the clients wanted in the heart of their home. Passionate hosts and serious cooks, they envisioned a space that performed beautifully without sacrificing atmosphere. The former island-mounted range and downdraft vent interrupted workflow and connection, turning what should have been a centerpiece into a utilitarian obstacle.
The transformation began with function. The new layout relocates the range to a dedicated cooking wall, crowned by a bespoke liquid-metal hood with a nuanced patina and framed by expressive granite counters and backsplash. Rich with movement and pattern, these surfaces read as functional art, bringing depth, drama, and individuality to the room while reinforcing the clients’ love for unique, character-driven spaces. Relocating cooking off the island freed it to become what it was always meant to be: an uninterrupted surface for gathering, serving, and conversation.
The richly colored fluted island introduces a bold, furniture-like presence. Rather than treating color as an accent, we used it as a defining element—one that gives the kitchen its identity and elevates the space beyond the expected. From there, the design evolved into a study in warmth, craftsmanship, and tailored living.
Custom walnut cabinetry wraps the room in a richly grained architectural envelope, seamlessly integrating panel-ready Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, a concealed appliance garage, a coffee station, and tailored storage solutions. High-quality aged brass hardware lends a jewelry-like finish to the millwork, while a built-in banquette with a custom upholstered seat cushion softens the architecture and creates a natural transition from kitchen to dining.
Materiality was central to giving the kitchen its layered character. The side wall beside the floating shelves is clad in microcement—a sustainable material that is waterproof, exceptionally durable, and full of movement. Its resilience allowed us to forgo a traditional backsplash at the counter, creating a cleaner seamless look. Layered lighting completes the composition, giving the space both intimacy and drama.
The interplay of plum, walnut, warm metal, expressive stone, and microcement gives the project its emotional resonance. The result is a kitchen that is highly functional and deeply reflective of the people who call it home: bold, welcoming, and entirely their own.
Photography courtesy: Miranda Estes Photography
Plum Reverie FAQ's
What types of projects does Persimmon Design take on?
We offer full-service interior design for renovations, new construction, whole-home furnishings, and select individual spaces, as well as landscape design.
Our interior work can encompass everything from space planning and spatial reconfigurations that reshape how a home functions and flows, to lighting, custom cabinetry, and millwork to furniture, art, accessories, and the final layer of styling. For landscape projects, we bring the same thoughtful approach outdoors, considering the relationship between the home, garden, materials, planting, and the way exterior spaces are experienced and used.
Whether we are transforming an existing home, beginning with a blank slate, or extending the experience of the home into the landscape, we consider every element as part of a larger, cohesive story.
How are your design fees structured?
Our design fees are based on the scope and complexity of each project. Once we understand what your project requires, we prepare a detailed proposal outlining our services and associated fees before any design work begins, which forms the basis for the next steps in our engagement.
If the scope expands during the project, we will prepare an additional fee proposal for your review and approval before beginning the new work. This keeps the scope and associated investment clear throughout the process.
How involved will I be in the design process?
You will be involved at the moments that matter, without having to manage the design yourself.
We want to understand what you love, what you don't, how you live, what matters to you, and how you want your home to feel. We then take that information and translate it into a cohesive design.
You'll provide feedback and make key decisions throughout the process, while we take responsibility for the research, sourcing, documentation, coordination, and countless details required to bring everything together.
What is the best way to share my likes and dislikes during the design process?
We welcome your feedback throughout the design process. In fact, understanding why something does or doesn't resonate with you is incredibly valuable to us.
The most helpful feedback focuses on what you're responding to and how you'd like it to feel different. Perhaps you'd like something more sculptural, less traditional, warmer, quieter, more colorful, or simply something that feels more like you.
With that insight, we can return to our resources and explore alternatives that address your feedback while still meeting the project's requirements for quality, scale, comfort, performance, budget, availability, and overall cohesion.
Our role is to do the searching, researching, and vetting, while your feedback helps us understand what feels right for you.
What awards did Plum Reverie by Persimmon Design receive?
Plum Reverie received First Place in the Open Plan Kitchen category at the 2026 NKBA | KBIS Puget Sound Chapter Design Awards. It also received the People’s Choice Award for Kitchen. The project was designed by Anu Kurup of Persimmon Design.