The Kitchen Edit: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Kitchen with natural wood cabinetry and an olive fluted island, from The Kitchen Edit September 2026

We love a little drama in the kitchen. A gorgeous slab. An unexpected finish. An island with main-character energy. But great design isn’t about more. It’s knowing what deserves the moment.

This month, we’re taking you inside one of our latest LA projects, settling the great kitchen-island debate, and sharing what’s inspiring us around town.

Good taste. Smart design. Let’s get into it.

From Our Studio: Designed for Real Life

West Los Angeles kitchen by Cabinet IQ with natural wood cabinetry, soft stone, aged brass pendants, and an olive island with built-in banquette seating

One of our latest LA projects proves a kitchen can work harder without feeling like it’s trying too hard.

Natural wood cabinetry sets the tone, while soft stone, aged brass, and olive add depth. But every beautiful choice has a purpose, from how the kitchen flows to where everyone inevitably ends up gathering.

Beautiful is the baseline. Smart design is what makes it work.

Behind Our Design: Why It Works, Island Math

Bigger isn’t always better. Smarter is.

A great island starts with the space around it. We aim for 42–48 inches of clearance where traffic is highest, giving people and appliances room to move.

Then we make every inch work: prep, storage, seating, entertaining.

For this West LA kitchen, that meant skipping the supersized island and adding a built-in banquette for more seating without sacrificing flow.

That’s good space planning: every inch has a job.

Around Town: What’s Next in Design? Start Here.

The Pacific Design Center's red, green, and blue buildings in West Hollywood

The PDC Fall Market lands September 23 with Design Americana, a one-day deep dive into where American design is headed.

New collections, major design voices, and conversations worth hearing, including The Bespoke Kitchen with Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Steven Cooper.

Consider this your front-row seat to what’s next.

📍 Pacific Design Center
📅 September 23

West Hollywood Is Getting Magical

Design West Hollywood takes over the neighborhood with Magical Thinking.

For three days, showrooms open their doors for events, conversations, cocktails, and unexpected ideas across interiors, art, architecture, and design.

Wander. Get inspired. Steal an idea or two. We won’t tell.

📍 West Hollywood Design District
📅 September 29–October 1

Have a Kitchen on Your Mind?

We probably have ideas. Book a consultation.

Nick Pleasant, Owner | 424-500-6059

The Kitchen Edit is the monthly newsletter from Cabinet IQ of West Los Angeles. View the original email edition.