MY FAVORITE ROOM

CHARLOTTE DESIGNER LISA SHERRY ON KITCHENS AND THE CHOICES THAT SHAPE THIS TRICKY SPACE.

JANUARY 14, 2026 | CHARLOTTE, NC

Kitchen design can often go amok. I love a design challenge and have mix-mastered recipes for success!

Have you noticed that the most delicious culinary creations come from a blend of precision and intuition? Expert planning and timing, followed by sparks of inspiration that elevate the whole affair. Recipe meets instinct.

I’m wired the same way, which is probably why I love to design kitchens. It's fortunate too, because kitchens – from new builds to full renovations – are almost always part of a Lisa Sherry Interieurs project scope. Through years of work (and plenty of experimentation), I’ve learned how to balance both sides of the process.

The architectural firm CLUCK was our partner in this Charlotte home, including a fab kitchen.

TEAMWORK

To begin, remember that kitchen design is a team sport. Architects, builders, tradespeople, vendors – everyone has a defined role, and the best results come when we’re working in sync.

I like to be in the mix early, ideally when architectural plans are still on the table. Early involvement allows us to influence the layout, anticipate challenges and ensure the kitchen supports the way a client genuinely wants to live. Those early decisions shape everything that follows.

Most clients also ask LSI to manage the project from start to finish. It’s a natural extension of our work. We coordinate timelines, approvals and on-site decisions to keep the project moving with clarity and consistency. With a strong team of pros, “too many cooks in the kitchen” becomes a myth. The right people, working together, make the process smooth and the outcome exceptional.

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A gut renovation more than doubled the size of an old-fashioned cottage kitchen. Floor planning was key!

DESIGN PLAN

Next, planning begins in earnest. We study cabinetry, appliances and layout, of course, but I’m just as focused on how my clients will actually live in the space. Are they gourmands or quick-and-easy cooks? Do they entertain regularly? Are kids and teens in the mix? And yes — where does the coffee station land? Lifestyle drives the design as much as square footage.

Every kitchen footprint works differently. I love a tight, tidy galley kitchen where efficiency reigns. Larger kitchens invite multiple work zones, islands and more opportunities to shape how the room lives day to day.

Lifestyle needs and mechanical requirements ultimately guide the CAD drawings. These drawings establish flow, proportion and material direction early in the process, ensuring that what we imagine on paper becomes a kitchen that works beautifully in real life.

No spatula left behind! There is no such thing as too much storage space in a kitchen.

CABNETRY

Let’s talk cabinetry. I love planning layout, storage and functional needs down to the smallest detail. Where will the bowls live? The baking sheets? The tea towels? The everyday tools that make a kitchen hum? Thoughtful storage shapes how a kitchen works — and how it feels.

I use a mix of open shelves, closed cabinetry, deep drawers and pull-outs. Each has a job. Open shelves create ease and a bit of breath. Closed doors bring calm. Deep drawers and pull-outs make access intuitive.

Material choices matter too. Cabinetry should complement the larger home, not stand apart from it. A well-planned cabinet layout brings clarity, order and a sense of quiet confidence to the entire kitchen.

It's elemental. The closer you look, the more you see and feel in this Charlotte kitchen renovation.

ELEMENTAL: TILE, STONE & HARDWARE

Tile, stone and hardware are elemental choices in an LSI kitchen. They’re the touchpoints you see and use every day, so they deserve clarity and intention.

I’m naturally drawn to materials with an honest connection to the earth — honed marble, quartzite, soapstone. They live well over time and bring a quiet groundedness to the room. Tile builds on that foundation, whether it’s a clean field or a surface with subtle handmade variation. Even small shifts in tone or texture can influence the entire space.

Hardware is the jewelry of a working kitchen. Knobs, pulls and levers are in constant use, and they should feel good in the hand. I often reach for unpolished brass. It’s beautiful on day one and only gets better as it ages.

In my world, kitchen lighting and flooring is all about layers. I made the unusual (and very successful) decision to flank the kitchen sink with two table lamps. My clients love the space.

TOP TO BOTTOM: LIGHTING & FLOORING

Lighting and flooring shape how a kitchen feels — top to bottom, all day long. I choose both with intention.

I’ve learned that light works best in layers. I use recessed fixtures for the baseline, then bring in pendants or chandeliers for dimension, and task lighting where it’s needed most. And I never overlook natural light. When these layers work together, the room feels balanced and intuitive.

Flooring carries that sense of ease underfoot. Because most kitchens open to adjoining living spaces, I prefer a single flooring material to keep the flow connected. Rugs and runners add another layer — softness, texture and warmth in the places where people naturally gather.

These layered elements create a quiet foundation. They support the kitchen without stealing the spotlight, and you feel their impact long before you notice the details.

What makes a kitchen cook? Premium appliances!

APPLIANCES

In my world, the best kitchens cook — and chill, freeze, bake and wash — with ease. Appliances are essential to how a kitchen performs, and I’m hands-on in helping clients make the right selections. Often, we shop together or I curate options based brand preferences and budget.

Because lead times can stretch, appliance decisions happen early. Beyond performance, I look closely at how each piece integrates into the design. Panel-ready refrigerators and dishwashers are always part of the plan; they disappear into the cabinetry and create a quiet continuity in the room.

From a hardworking range to a steam oven, wine fridge or everyday essentials, each appliance has a clear role. When chosen thoughtfully, they support the rhythm of the kitchen and elevate the way it feels and functions.

A peek at my test kitchen: My very own lake house.

LISA SHERRY TEST-KITCHEN APPROVED

I’ve learned most of what I know about kitchens by living in them — cooking, hosting, making small tweaks until the space finally “clicks.” My own kitchens are ongoing experiments, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

It’s the same spirit I bring to client work. A kitchen should feel natural, not forced. It should make everyday tasks easier and the good moments even better. When a kitchen works like that, it supports a way of being that’s calm, intuitive and, ultimately, beautifully lived.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Brie Williams and Kenton Robertson

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