For content creator Samantha Klein, her home is her canvas. Her Instagram is a deep dive into beautiful pink-and-pastel palettes, so it’s only natural that her kitchen exudes that same sense of playfulness. By transforming a gray, dull kitchen–white walls, linoleum floors and all–into an unforgettable vintage-meets-contemporary design, she created a sense of joy in the space. Using Baby Soft —a classic warm pink — Samantha created the kitchen of her dreams.

Pull together your palette with cabinets

Before

After

Your kitchen cabinets often have the most surface area in the space, so consider their style, color, and your kitchen’s lighting before you begin. For instance, a darker kitchen may look great with dark-toned cabinets, but a kitchen with plenty of natural light (like the one featured here) complements a soft, bright cabinet color. When going light and bright, it’s worth investing in a paint that can handle plenty of wear and tear–your cabinets will look newer for longer.  

Dress up the details with brass hardware 

Details matter! To create a seamless pink kitchen, Samantha chose matching hardware throughout the space. The minimalist brass knobs and drawer pulls couple well with the metal elements in the light fixture, making the overall design more cohesive. The pink-toned metal faucet also lends a nice touch, reflecting light while blending well with the wallpaper and cabinets. 

Add pattern with a wallpapered backsplash

Before

After 

So long, subway tiles! There’s a new backsplash in town and it’s patterned wallpaper. While tiles can be a great choice in a clean, modern kitchen, a wallpapered backsplash lends a vintage vibe and makes the space feel unique and unexpected. (Worried about moisture? Use paint to make a wallpaper-inspired wall that’s easy to clean!)

Mix vintage and contemporary for the perfect pink kitchen

Just as you can use the high-low effect to create a great outfit, you can combine vintage or vintage-inspired pieces with contemporary ones to pull together a pink kitchen. So often, we’re focused on trends in design, but incorporating vintage pieces–especially those that reflect your own personal taste–is one way to be sure your kitchen will last for decades to come. 

Don’t forget to consider your appliances 

Before

After

When renovating or building a kitchen, it’s important to pick appliances that work well with the colors and styles you’ve chosen. For a vintage-inspired kitchen, consider vintage-inspired appliances, such as this oven and matching microwave. A clunky fridge can absolutely disrupt a kitchen design and distract the eye away from the beauty you’ve created (but if that clunky fridge is here to stay, consider painting it!)

Curate your shelves to spark joy