Creating this room was the "why" behind the entire project. Our clients love to cook and entertain, and we pushed through the back of their house to create a multi-functional space that meets all of their needs perfectly.
In case you missed it: Entry, Living & Dining, and Powder Room Tour
Photography by Amy Bartlam
The Kitchen
The main kitchen is laid out in a large "U" with a 60-inch Wolf range in a recessed niche as the heart of it all and focal point. We didn't want this spot to overwhelm so instead of tile, we ran the Quartz counter all the way up with a ledge on top as the backsplash and then did a plaster finish around it. There are storage shelves on either side of the niche for plates, spices, cookbooks, or decor. The perimeter cabinets are a creamy white with super-durable white Quartz countertops, and the island is stained a light Oak shade and topped with black Quartz for contrast. Together with the polished plumbing fixtures and brass hardware, the space feels really classic and warm.
The scale of the pendants doesn't translate as well in photos but they are huge -- 30 inches wide each. They have a gray plaster finish that mimics the range niche and brings in more movement. On the island, we added one of the biggest sinks I have ever seen! It has two faucets and tons of attachments for all your washing and prepping needs. The left side of the kitchen is 72 inches of built-in freezer and fridge with two pull out pantry cabinets for optimal food storage.
The right side of the space holds the second wow moment -- the extra-large window over a sink in the perimeter cabinets. That window completely pockets into the walls to open fully to the backyard and the counter extends outdoors to a bar top for totally integrated indoor/outdoor entertaining!
In addition to the incredibly functional kitchen, we wanted to create an everyday eating area for the family, a place for the kids to do homework or relax, and to feel connected to the outdoor space. We designed a built-in breakfast nook in a corner surrounded by gorgeous windows overlooking the backyard. We built in extra storage in the benches and wrapped them in the same vertical paneling as the island and family room bookshelves. The white Oak table and Walnut chairs feel more laid-back than a matching set, and the woven window shades and pillows bring in texture and color. The pendants over the island are the statement-makers in the room, so we kept the light here pretty simple.
The Butler's Kitchen
On either side of the range wall is an entrance to the "dirty kitchen." Here there are additional cabinets for pantry items, a sink for more prep space, a microwave, more dishwashers, a pair of double ovens, warming drawers, vacuum-sealing drawers, a coffee station, and additional freezer. We used the same dark counters as on the island here to differentiate it from the main kitchen. Our clients are serious cooks so everything here is top-of-the-line, down to the European cabinet hardware, but it feels a little unassuming, and is very warm and inviting. There is also a set of stairs that lead down to the basement and access to the backyard through the cutest Dutch door we've ever seen!
The Family Room
The adjacent family room isn't the biggest space, so we needed to be smart about the layout and size of the furnishings so that it could function as the family's main gathering space. We began by adding the built-in unit for storage and gave them a special moment with the arches. The back has the same vertical paneling as the kitchen island and breakfast nook, tying the spaces together. The custom sofa and ottoman are the real show-stoppers in the room, both covered in performance fabric, of course. The ottoman has a light pattern on it, and we added a leather chair to the mix for some texture. On the other side, we opted for a pair of footstools instead of chairs to keep the path to the outdoors open. My favorite piece in the room is the console table that is wrapped in rope to give a subtle beachy nod.
The intersection of form and function is at the heart of our business and this project is the perfect example. If you are interested in seeing what we can do for your project, reach out by completing our inquiry form.