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Nicole Yee Interiors

San Francisco Bay area and the New England Seacoast Interior Designer

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Minimalist Luxury

Oakland Hills, CA
oakland-sf-area-open-concept-kitchen-design

The Brief

The homeowners envisioned a kitchen that felt light, serene, and highly functional while still expressing a sense of refined luxury. They wanted an uncluttered space where premium materials, thoughtful craftsmanship, and carefully considered details would create a sophisticated yet welcoming environment for both cooking and entertaining.

Natural light and a soft, neutral palette were essential. The design also needed to accommodate multiple daily routines—from cooking and casual dining to hosting guests—while incorporating dedicated work zones and exceptional storage.

The Transformation

The layout was reconfigured to open the space and introduce new French doors, allowing natural light to flood the room. Soft whites, pale neutrals, and warm champagne-silver accents allow the kitchen’s custom features to stand out.

A dramatic 10-foot marble hood anchors the room, complemented by custom fluted cabinetry and layered materials, including Ecowood oak, specialty metals, and marble.

The large island features a bookmatched marble surface with waterfall edges and a substantial 2.75-inch profile. Custom backsplashes combine mosaic glass, marble, quartz, and a metal detail to create subtle yet intricate visual interest.

A built-in banquette with a channeled back provides intimate seating, echoing the vertical texture of the fluted cabinetry. Nearby, a dedicated bar and smoothie station support both entertaining and everyday routines, while a reeded-glass walk-in pantry offers additional storage.

Signature Details

  • 10-foot marble hood serving as the kitchen’s central architectural feature
  • Custom fluted cabinetry with precisely aligned vertical grooves
  • Bookmatched marble island with waterfall edges and 2.75-inch profile
  • Custom backsplashes combining mosaic glass, marble, quartz, and metal detailing
  • Built-in banquette with channeled upholstery
  • Dedicated bar with refrigerator, storage for glassware and bottles, and snack storage
  • Smoothie station with juicer storage and refrigerated drawers for ingredients
  • Hidden spice racks and specialty storage compartments
  • Bar cabinetry lined in oak with metal mesh doors trimmed in specialty metal detailing
  • Reeded-glass walk-in pantry with chandelier and backlit shelving
  • Professional-grade appliances including range, steam oven, and refrigerator drawers

The Result

The finished kitchen is an ethereal, light-filled space where texture, craftsmanship, and thoughtful customization deliver a refined and highly functional environment.

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IDS continues to pull out all the stops at our 202 IDS continues to pull out all the stops at our 2026 national conference! Finished off a great day of education and design tours with a fun House Party 💃🏻 

Xo
NY
Yayyy! Excited to announce my new website is live. Yayyy! Excited to announce my new website is live. Hop over to www.nicoleyee.com and let me know what you think! 

Xo
NY

#theeyeofanartist
#thecareofacurator 
#theprecisionofapro
#awardwinninginteriordesign
Demo lately: Moraga Project 1 🔥 Moraga Project 2 🔥 Demo lately:
Moraga Project 1 🔥
Moraga Project 2 🔥
Lafayette Condo Project 🔥
Walnut Creek Project 🔥
My Right Foot 🙄

So much amazing progress! But as they say, two steps forward…one step (roll, crack) back. 🤷‍♀️🩼🩼

Xo
NY

#interiordesign
#demolition
#workinprogress
#brokenfoot
Every project starts somewhere. A sketch. A fabri Every project starts somewhere.

A sketch.
A fabric swatch.
A strange idea that shouldn’t quite work, but somehow does.

I’ve been creating a new website to share not only beautiful finished spaces, but also about the process of how a design begins to take shape.

www.nicoleyee.com is coming soon.

Xo
NY 

#theeyeofanartist
#thecareofacurator
#theprecicsionofapro
#awardwinninginteriordesign
Good things are coming Good things are coming Good Good things are coming
Good things are coming
Good things are coming
soon
soon
soon

Can't wait to share my beautiful new website with you! 

Stay tuned...

Xo 
NY

💥

#interiordesign
#californiadesigner
#newenglanddesigner
#comingsoon
Amsterdam’s charm lies in its constant motion…with Amsterdam’s charm lies in its constant motion…with canals flowing through, bicycles passing, and people strolling and engaging at outdoor cafes. 
The architecture is beautiful and rich in character. We experienced a city that’s vibrant and full of energy despite record heat!
My son and I were there mainly to see the University of Amsterdam, where we are very proud that he was accepted into their prestigious psychology program. He has ultimately decided to take a different course of study but it was so impressive and we hope he’ll come back to study there someday.
We also saw the Anne Frank and Van Gogh museums, walked and biked across the whole city and took an evening canal cruise. 
A highlight was a photography exhibit of Ed Van Der Elsken’s work at the Rijksmuseum. This inspired my black and white photos 😊
Until next time, Amsterdam. Thank you for the beautiful visual feast, sweet memories with my boy, and the creative boost I needed. 

Xo
NY 🚲

#amsterdam
#designertravel
#wanderlust 
#seetheworld
#designinspiration
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NY Interiors is a boutique luxury residential interior design studio serving the San Francisco Bay Area, California and New England Seacoast. Specializing in home renovations, remodels, new construction, and full-service furnishing projects, Nicole Yee creates timeless, highly personalized homes tailored to modern living.

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nicole@nicoleyee.com
+1 510 326 5390

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