From Concept to Cohesion: How Kerrie Kelly Brought Two Distinct Kitchen Visions to Life
At a time when homeowners expect their kitchens to deliver both high design and reliable functionality, the line between architecture and appliance has never been more important. At the 2026 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), award-winning interior designer, author, and industry thought leader Kerrie Kelly partnered with Whirlpool Corporation’s luxury brand JennAir to explore that intersection through two strikingly different kitchen concepts: Ethereal and Daring.
Developed in collaboration with JennAir and creative partners at WoW Studios, the two kitchens showcase Kelly’s ability to translate distinct design narratives into fully realized spaces—balancing materiality, performance, and architectural intent at the highest level.
While the aesthetics diverge, with one soft and serene and the other bold and expressive, both spaces demonstrate a shared design principle that today’s industry professionals are increasingly prioritizing: thoughtful integration. We caught up with Kelly to hear how these concepts came to life, from the initial design narrative to the appliance innovations that helped bring each vision into focus.
You presented two distinctly different kitchen concepts at KBIS— "Ethereal" and “Daring.” What homeowner lifestyles or personas did you have in mind when conceptualizing these two spaces?
When the JennAir and WoW Studios teams began shaping these kitchens with my team, we wanted to reflect two different expressions of how people live today.
“Ethereal” speaks to the homeowner who values calm, intentional living—someone drawn to softness, light, and a sense of visual serenity. “Daring,” on the other hand, reflects a confident host and passionate cook who embraces bold materials, dramatic contrast, and statement-making design moments.
Both kitchens represent modern homeowners who expect their kitchen to perform at the highest level while also reflecting their personality. JennAir appliances allowed us to design spaces that feel emotionally distinct yet equally refined in performance and presence.
How do these two kitchens address the specific needs of today’s homeowners regarding both aesthetics and long-term functionality?
Today’s homeowners expect their kitchens to be both visually compelling and highly adaptable for daily life. In both spaces, we focused on flexibility, performance, and thoughtful integration.
The Ethereal kitchen demonstrates how technology can quietly support everyday living—appliances that disappear into the architecture while still delivering exceptional capability. The Daring kitchen celebrates professional-grade performance and visual confidence, creating a space that inspires serious cooking and entertaining.
Together, they show that homeowners no longer have to choose between beauty and functionality—the best kitchens deliver both seamlessly.
When moving from a mood board to a physical space, how do you ensure that elements like cabinetry, hardware, and lighting remain cohesive while still pushing design boundaries?
It always begins with a strong narrative. Once the design story is clear, every material and product must reinforce that story.
Working alongside the JennAir team and WoW Studios, we carefully evaluated scale, proportion, finish, and light reflection across every element—from Fabuwood cabinetry profiles to Cosentino surfaces, Sherwin-Williams finishes, and of course, state-of-the-art appliances. When those layers are thoughtfully balanced, you can push boundaries with color, form, or texture without the space feeling chaotic. Instead, the result feels intentional and cohesive.
When specifying appliances within a design concept, what factors guide your selections? Performance, aesthetics, integration, or overall architectural intent of the space?
All of the above. Appliances today are not simply tools—they are architectural elements within the kitchen.
With JennAir, performance is always a given, so the conversation becomes about how the appliance contributes to the design language of the space. Does it anchor the room visually? Does it disappear into the cabinetry via a “no-kitchen kitchen” concept? Does it enhance workflow? Those considerations help determine which appliance belongs in each concept.
Let’s talk specifically about what inspired the Ethereal concept, and what emotions or experiences you were envisioning homeowners would feel when stepping into the space.
The Ethereal kitchen was inspired by the idea of quiet luxury—spaces that feel effortless, calming, and beautifully resolved. We wanted homeowners to feel a sense of ease the moment they entered the space.
Soft finishes, subtle textures, and integrated appliances allow the room to breathe. It’s a kitchen that encourages lingering conversations, slow mornings, and thoughtful gatherings while still delivering extraordinary performance behind the scenes.
How did you align those delicate fixtures and hardware with the robust performance of JennAir appliances to ensure the space feels both intentional and functional?
Balance was key. While the finishes in the Ethereal kitchen are lighter and more refined, the performance expectations remain extremely high.
JennAir appliances allowed us to pair delicate detailing with powerful capability. By integrating appliances thoughtfully within the island countertop and upper and base cabinetry and maintaining consistent finish palettes, the appliances feel like a natural extension of the architecture rather than competing focal points.
Building on that idea of appliances as an extension of the architecture, how did you approach ventilation and cooking appliances in a way that preserves that clean, uninterrupted aesthetic?
Open, uninterrupted sightlines were essential to the Ethereal concept. We wanted the island to feel sculptural rather than mechanical.
Selecting the JennAir® NextGen Downdraft Induction Cooktop allowed us to maintain that visual clarity. Without an overhead hood interrupting the view, the island remains the architectural centerpiece while still delivering excellent ventilation performance.
How does the downdraft technology of the cooktop provide more architectural freedom when designing an open, airy kitchen layout?
Downdraft technology gives designers incredible flexibility. Instead of designing around a large overhead hood, we can allow the architecture of the room to remain uninterrupted. For open-plan kitchens, that freedom is invaluable. It enables us to maintain sightlines, preserve natural light, and create islands that feel more like furniture pieces rather than traditional cooking stations.
From a designer’s perspective, how does downdraft induction technology change the way you think about island design and cooking zones in modern kitchens?
It completely changes the possibilities. The island can become a true social hub rather than a place visually dominated by ventilation. Induction paired with downdraft allows cooking to happen seamlessly within the gathering space, making the kitchen feel more connected to the rest of the home.
Beyond the architecture of the layout, the materials play a huge role in aesthetics. The JennAir® 24” Panel-Ready Fully Integrated Dishwasher with 3rd Level Rack features the new Matte Cashmere finish. How does this specific palette influence the surrounding finishes, and why is it a game-changer for designers looking for a softer, integrated look?
The Matte Cashmere finish is incredibly sophisticated. It offers a warmth that sits beautifully within neutral palettes while still feeling distinctly modern.
For designers, it opens up a softer alternative to stainless. It allows appliances to integrate more gracefully into cabinetry and surrounding materials, which is essential when creating serene spaces like the Ethereal kitchen.
The dishwasher also features a 3rd level rack with a dedicated wash. How does this type of "invisible intelligence" support the high-capacity needs of a modern, active kitchen without compromising the serene aesthetic?
What I love about this feature is that it works incredibly hard without drawing attention to itself. The third-level rack increases capacity and efficiency, which is exactly what busy households need. Yet visually, the appliance remains fully integrated, preserving the calm and uncluttered environment we designed for the space. (I love my third rack at home!)
Let’s switch gears to the “Daring” concept. What inspired this and how did you approach creating a space that feels bold yet still livable for everyday homeowners?
The Daring kitchen celebrates confidence. It’s for homeowners who enjoy entertaining, cooking seriously, and embracing strong design choices.
We layered rich finishes, dramatic contrasts, and strong architectural lines while still prioritizing workflow and usability. The goal was to create a kitchen that feels powerful and expressive yet remains highly functional for everyday life.
The JennAir® RISE™ 48” Induction Professional-Style Range you utilized in this space really contributes to that powerful and expressive feel. How does it change the visual weight of the cooking zone compared to traditional gas ranges?
The induction range delivers professional performance while maintaining a cleaner visual profile than many traditional ranges. Its precision and sleek surface create a refined focal point that anchors the cooking wall without feeling overly industrial. It brings strength and elegance to the space simultaneously.
This kitchen leans into the idea of "invisible intelligence" through panel-ready refrigeration. What are the key benefits of specifying fully integrated refrigeration when trying to execute a high-contrast, "Daring" design?
Panel-ready refrigeration allows the cabinetry and architecture to lead the design story—especially when using Nature Squared Mussel Shell panels.
In a high-contrast kitchen like Daring, that integration keeps the visual rhythm clean and uninterrupted. It also allows us to move the eye away from the typical backsplash statement and instead create a focal moment at the refrigeration wall, where the texture and shimmer of the mussel shell panels become an unexpected design highlight. The appliances perform beautifully behind the scenes while the materials deliver the visual drama.
The Daring concept relies heavily on distinct finishes. How do you select hardware and fixtures that complement, rather than compete with, the professional-grade aesthetic of the JennAir suite?
Restraint and proportion are everything. When working with powerful appliances like JennAir’s professional suite, the surrounding materials should enhance the story without competing for attention.
We selected hardware and fixtures with strong forms and refined finishes that echo the appliance detailing while maintaining visual balance. We also like to include a few “Easter eggs” in our designs—a quiet wink to those who know us—like the honey bee knobs in this space, celebrating that this project truly felt like the bee’s knees for our team as we collaborated with the broader Whirlpool family, our JennAir partners, and the incredible talent at WoW Studios.
Looking at both kitchens, what do you feel is the single most important takeaway in kitchen design that industry pros should be thinking about to stay ahead of the curve?
The future of kitchen design is about thoughtful integration—where technology, performance, and architecture work together seamlessly. Homeowners want kitchens that reflect how they live, gather, and express themselves. Appliances like JennAir’s allow designers to support that vision by delivering both extraordinary capability and beautiful design presence.
When those elements come together, the kitchen becomes more than a workspace—it becomes the emotional heart of the home.
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