How Jaime Dupes Reimagined a 1999 Brookhaven Kitchen Without Losing Its Soul

Drawing from the home’s original architecture, the Copper Sky Design + Remodel designer creates a bright, functional kitchen with hidden storage, bold stone, and a modern edge

Written by Shannon Sharpe Photographed by Rustic White Photography

January 2026

Gray kitchen with marble backsplash, dark granite island, and brass pendant lights.

Wall-to-wall cabinetry allows for ample storage, including pullout drawers for spoons and spatulas, a spice nook, and display shelves. Dedicated spaces for concealed appliances cut down on visual clutter and allow for coffee makers to stay plugged in without the worry of unsightly cords.

Gray kitchen with marble backsplash, wood island, and brass hardware

A detailed alcove hood and cabinetry frame the quartzite backsplash above the range. Sconces from Troy Lighting add a modern touch.

Gray kitchen with stainless steel range, dark tile backsplash, and wood floors.

Jamie Dupes reoriented the layout for proper ventilation, removing a downdraft island range and relocating it to a custom alcove wall with a stunning quartzite backsplash.

Gray kitchen cabinets, marble island, and bar stools with glass pendant lights.

Heavy millwork on and around the cabinetry is offset by fresh light-blue paint, while a moody charcoal tile backsplash behind the sink and a deeply veined stone atop the walnut island infuse drama.

Gray kitchen cabinets with brass hardware, marble countertops, and a round dining table with white

Seamless cabinetry conceals hidden niches, two appliance garages, and unexpected storage zones, including a clever pass-through to the hallway fitted with touch-latch doors.

Jaime Dupes, senior lead designer at Copper Sky Design + Remodel, works by one guiding principle: A home renovation shouldn’t look like a renovation. “We specialize in breathing new life into houses,” she explains. “I draw from the original architecture and infuse it with the client’s aesthetic.” For this 1999 Brookhaven residence—designed to blend seamlessly with its historic surroundings—that meant transforming a dim, dated kitchen into a light-filled, uplifting space that incorporated the owners’ personal style. “They’re drawn to a more modern, clean-lined design than the house itself,” says Dupes. “So I married traditional elements with their aesthetic to create this eclectic kitchen.”

Heavy millwork on and around the cabinetry is offset by fresh light-blue paint, while a moody charcoal tile backsplash behind the sink and a deeply veined stone atop the walnut island infuse drama. From a functional standpoint, it was all about rethinking flow and reimagining how the homeowners would live in the space. “They wanted to start cooking more—to really use the kitchen,” says Dupes. So, the designer reoriented the layout for proper ventilation, removing a downdraft island range and relocating it to a custom alcove wall with a stunning quartzite backsplash. The design not only optimized airflow but also created a striking focal point. “They love that stone,” says Dupes. “We approached it as if we were buying a piece of art.”

Storage was another priority, including for the clutter created by countertop appliances. “The owners are both busy professionals,” says the designer. “When they come home they don’t want to feel overwhelmed by stuff.” To this end, seamless cabinetry conceals hidden niches, two appliance garages, and unexpected storage zones, including a clever pass-through to the hallway fitted with touch-latch doors. That attention to detail defines the design itself. “It’s about harmony,” says Dupes. “Everything has to feel like it belongs there.”

Design Details ARCHITECT, INTERIOR DESIGNER, CONTRACTOR Copper Sky Design + Remodel CABINETRY AND ISLAND Timberland Cabinets RANGE Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove CABINETRY PAINT Benjamin Moore Thundercloud Gray BACKSPLASH AND COUNTERTOPS Ciot SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH Ann Sacks COUNTER STOOLS Arhaus

Copper Sky Design + Remodel, Kitchen of the Year, Kitchen of the Year Winners