Speaking of natural, a farmhouse kitchen aesthetic fits that bill and is made for Instagram. Its light-hued walls provide airy elegance, while wooden furnishings epitomize rustic charm.

So that the new kitchen would be in keeping with the rest of her 1965 home, Molly skipped the standard drywall and opted for ...

The kitchen in my 200-year-old farmhouse had a functional layout and quality finishes, but the dark color palette and off proportions made it feel dark and cave-like.