This Portola Valley kitchen remodel took what was a dark and crowded space, filled wall to ceiling with inefficient cabinetry and dated countertop surfaces and transformed the area into a rich, open and light room for cooking and entertaining. Hand-crafted crackle-glaze tiles give a luster to walls housing double ovens and providing texture behind expansive butcher-block counter surfaces. Celadon-colored plaster walls and display niches that play with form and space bring a warmth and humanity to complement the stainless steel sink surround and appliance facades.