Isla Porter is a fresh out-of-the-box New York kitchen company dedicated to mixing 21st century know-how with age-old cabinetmaking. As they put it, “We combine AI efficiency with premium craftsmanship and artistry to streamline your kitchen design process.”
The brand is the brainchild of Emily Arthur and Sharon Dranko, former West Elm execs with backgrounds in product development and manufacturing respectively, who saw a way to speed up the design process while delivering what they call “high-creativity cabinetry.” AI is used to generate room measurements via scans and come up with floor plans optimized to the space. The rest is more familiar territory: Isla Porter offers 23 door styles in 60 colors and 20 wood finishes (plus islands, hoods, shelving, trim, and interior configurations). Each cabinet is built to order by a partner manufacturer in Cambodia that’s been in business for 30 years.
Though underpinned by tech, the results can be surprisingly warm and dreamy (someone clearly spent time studying the Plain English approach). To spotlight the possibilities of its kit of parts, Isla Porter invited several interior designers to create fully detailed model kitchens. The standout, if you ask us, is the setup by Monica Stewart of Athens, Georgia-based The Misfit House, who deployed milk chocolate-colored wood paneling, botanical wallpaper, and checked tiles for a faraway cottage effect.
Photography by Christian Torres, styling by Oliver Cano, courtesy of Isla Porter (@theislaporter).
Above: Stewart was shown the exterior of a historic Savannah bungalow for possible inspiration—and got to work. She notes that her rooms are always layered with “sources of sentiment” (her business is named after the many “misift houses” of her childhood that her mother singlehandedly transformed into homes). Katherine-Pecan, a vintage-inspired wallpaper by Stewart’s client and friend Lulie Wallace served as her “jumping-off point”
The main cabinets are Isla Porter’s Nils; the cabinet boxes are construction-grade European plywood designed not to warp or crack, and the doors are solid North American hardwood painted in Tea Time lacquer—Isla Porter says it uses a 10-step paint process to guarantee durability and can match any color.
Stewart’s own Evolve Lighting Company sells a mix of new and vintage pieces, and supplied the stoneware lamp and other designs.
Above: The island, fitted with Elle doors and Quinn end panels, is topped with Artistic Tile marble also used on the counters. The aged brass Grace Cabinet Knobs and Massey Pulls are from Rejuvenation. Wovn Home, an online custom window treatment company, supplied the sink skirt.
Above: The beadboard-paneled backsplash matches the range hood cover. Note the pegs for hanging kitchen tools and accessories.
From Isla Porter’s FAQ: Are robots designing my kitchen? “Not exactly! Our team of experts work hand in hand with you to harness the power of AI to optimize the kitchen design process. There will be plenty of human eyes checking the work every step of the way from architects, to engineers and millwork specialists.”
Above: Trash bins and paper towel holder are combined in a dovetailed, sink-side pullout. The Holborn Bridge Faucet by Perrin & Rowe is from House of Rohl.
Above: Isla Porter’s linear Orla doors lend texture to a custom hutch with a backsplash of glazed tiles from Traditions in Tile and Stone. The 2.5-Inch Concave Oak Knobs are made in Denmark; they’re $21.92 from MyKnobs.com.
Above: The hutch extends across the wall opposite the paneled fridge and freezer. One side of the island serves as a breakfast counter. The plates on display shelves are the work of Athens, Georgia, ceramic artist Nancy Green, another friend of Stewart’s.
Above: The checked tiles call to mind classic, two-toned Cornishware and work well with the pale blue notes of the wallpaper, the first element Stewart selected for the project.
Isla Porter collaborates with designers and with homeowners directly: in-house project leaders guide the way. The cabinets take 12 to 18 weeks to arrive. For pricing info, see the Isla Porter Diary post: How Much Does It Actually Cost To Renovate a Luxury Kitchen? Spoiler, It’s A Lot.
More cottage and cabin kitchen inspiration:
