When Simon and Laura Bindloss bought a three-bedroom home in Bellport, New York to flip and use as a rental property, they knew how important the kitchen would be for renters. Laura is the founder of interior design PR and social media agency Nylon Consulting and the YouTube channel Designer Home Tours, so she was ready to transform the space into an intentional, chic oasis.
The kitchen was original to their home, which was built in the 1960s. “All of the old appliances and linoleum floors were still in use, so the kitchen needed a total facelift,” Laura explains. “It felt dated, and with it being a rental, we knew that updating the kitchen was important. We also wanted it to match the rest of the house in terms of style and newness.”
An Interior Designer Became the Couple’s “North Star”
For design inspiration, the couple looked to Steven Gambrel, an interior designer known for honoring a home’s history while infusing personality into the space. Laura referred to him as their “North Star” for this remodel, and appreciated his “use of real stone and dramatic stone, his use of blue, and his ability to create high-design, luxury spaces that also feel appropriate for a seaside setting.”
They Worked with Isla Porter to Create Custom Cabinetry
They started by working with Isla Porter to create custom cabinetry for the new room. Laura says that redesigning their kitchen was “both easy and fun,” which was a welcome surprise as they’d experienced challenging kitchen renovations in the past.
“From there, we were able to solidify the design and aesthetic with door fronts, colors, which we definitely had fun with, organization inserts, and more for both a beautiful and functional space,” Laura says. “The options that Isla Porter offers felt more unique and design-forward than what a lot of other brands are offering, which allowed us to be playful with the space.”
The Longest Part Was Waiting for the New Cabinetry to Arrive
It took around 13 weeks for the new cabinetry to arrive, which is adorned with Corston hardware. From start to finish, the entire renovation took 16 to 18 weeks and cost around $55,000, including bold marble countertops sourced from Artistic Tile.
It’s the little things that really make the kitchen pop. Laura says the bar seating is “the perfect place to have coffee before starting the day,” while the open shelving is functional, allowing for storage while beautifully displaying their glassware. They also disguised their fridge to look like a cabinet so it blends seamlessly with the space — all of it painted in a deep gray-blue, Isla Porter’s “The Mood.”
They Tied the Rich Blue and Red Colors Throughout the Kitchen
“We absolutely love the use of color throughout the kitchen. The blue of the cabinets against the marble countertops creates a striking, high-contrast look that feels both bold and timeless,” Laura says. The rich colors carry through the whole space, tying the design together and giving the once-dated kitchen a personality that feels intentional rather than accidental — a fitting result for a rental property that was always meant to impress.
