When it comes to kitchens, Jennifer Gardner designs some of the freshest. This traditional Seattle craftsman got a big and bright update when she planned an open design that would let light through and reflect off of the stunning marble tile backsplash into the light cabinets and white countertops.

Staging and styling this space was an effort in restraint — the space itself is already so beautiful and full of detail. We paid attention to balancing the polish with some rugged elements, like the bowl and vase in the corner. Wooden cutting boards also bring a good dose of something organic which every space needs.

As usual, I photographed this kitchen using natural light only (with a few tricks up my sleeve of course). I turn the lights off whenever possible (unless the light source is architectural or aids in the design). As an artist, I feel like it’s important to observe the way light naturally enters the space. It’s an equal player to the design elements, and impacts every single thing in the space. When you’re looking at the difference between traditional real estate photography and editorial interior photography that’s one of the biggest changes. For me, good photography means telling the truth in an organic and elevated way. Sometimes it’s the simplest of production setups that have created my favorite work.

Design: Jennifer Gardner

Contractor: Western Red Homes

Backsplash: Tilebar

Range: Bertazzoni

Faucet: Brizo

Hardware: Rejuvenation