Linda Grasso’s Kitchen Remodel: An Entertainer’s Dream Come True

July 24, 2018

I need to brag about my dear friend Linda Grasso for a second.

Linda is the editor of Los Angeles magazine Ventura Blvd and the host of the SheSez with Linda Grasso podcast. She is a veteran journalist who interviews fascinating women about their bold, innovative, and sometimes badass moves. She and her husband Charlie recently remodeled the kitchen in their fantastic Encino home. They’ve lived in the house for years and have raised their sons there.

A little background, Linda and I go way back. We both worked at E! Entertainment Television, where we became friends after working on a project together. She has since been a fabulous confidant and consistent sounding board over the years! You may remember when she interviewed me on her podcast — which you can catch up on by clicking here.

Anyway, I went over to Linda’s house right before the remodel to have lunch with her and to brainstorm with her about fixtures, counters, the works. I loved her old kitchen… it had a Tuscan or French country feel to it. Linda and Charlie were ready for a change, though. This whole project started as an interior paint refresh, but it turned into a whole new kitchen. Like me, she is an avid cook and entertainer — so I understand her desire to create an inviting place that she’s proud of.

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Linda in her brand new kitchen! She’s sitting on manmade quartz Dekton countertops next to a solid
gorgeous brass sink faucet (and accessories) by California Faucets.

She worked with the talented interior designer Orit Srour and her husband who is a contractor, Steve Srour, and on the eve the remodel we sat in her old dining space having salad and sandwiches discussing the possibilities. A good remodel is so exciting to me. I know that may sound totally geeky, but I’m OK with that. Most people are riveted by other things, but I find the prospect of new counters, lighting, and an island remodel just thrilling. Yes I do.

Her kitchen transformation was recently featured in Ventura Blvd’s annual HOME issue in July… so I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite highlights!

Before: Linda wanted to freshen up the look of these honey-glazed cabinets. The wrought iron accents and “muddy,” distressed tiles, didn’t match the new aesthetic.

After: Linda and Charlie set the tone with all new appliances from The Modernist Collection from Dacor at Snyder Diamond in North Hollywood. They decided to make the kitchen island stand out with a custom grey finish. They chose a beautiful walnut for the top, done by wood artisan Felipe Lopez in Studio City.

Before: The seating area with four chairs at a round table wasn’t ideal for entertaining.

After: Making way more of the space, Linda is able to have the entire neighborhood over! This is the navy “Savannah” rug from NW Rugs in Sherman Oaks.

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Work space by day, dinner parties by night!

Before: Another angle of the kitchen before the remodel. Could definitely use a refresher!

Before: The view of the kitchen from entering the space.

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After: This matte finish, black metal, custom stove hood with a 3-inch brass band is by Modern Aire in Studio City. I love the mixed metals in this new kitchen!

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After: For cabinetry, Linda and the team went with a simple Shaker-style painted in two shades. On the lower cabinets, they used a lacquer that was a copy of Farrow & Ball’s “Down Pipe Grey”. For the uppers (and the entire section by the refrigerator), they lacquered with a copy of F&B’s “All White”.