Project Overview:
This kitchen was part of a full home renovation in a European style. The homeowner wanted to demolish the bland, 1980s remodel and create a French Country style kitchen, which would be more functional, inviting, casual, and yet sophisticated. It now invites the family to gather there via the addition of a new gas fireplace in the newly created custom dining alcove.

Functionally, the kitchen is divided into two areas, an efficient working kitchen and a family dining area. An island with seating separates these areas, providing space to work as well as to sit and converse. Part of the owner’s instructions to WKD was to hide all the technology. Refrigerators, dishwashers and warming drawers are behind wood panels, fabricated to match the adjacent millwork. Items such as toasters, microwaves, computers and flat screen TV’s are placed behind cabinet doors.

Aesthetically, WKD set about creating the French Country look by creating a new architectural shell; replacing bland walls with new brick veneer, and articulating the ceiling with painted beams, which help define the 25-foot long space. We also customized cherry cabinetry with raised panel doors, which were finished in a clear natural tone with a coffee overglaze. Habersham millwork surrounds the Viking stovellending an old world quality to the space. Counters are warm yellow gold granite. Porcelain tile that resembled limestone was selected for the floor. The two chandeliers are antiques, from our Charlestown, SC and Newport, RI sources. The lighting in the room is controlled by a programmable Lutron lighting control system.

At the dining end of the room, WKD designed a custom banquet and millwork surround. Across from the banquet is the new gas fireplace with a custom mantel surround. To the right of the fireplace is a French Country style plate rack, designed by one of WKD’s principals, which was commissioned by the owner when she couldn’t find a quality piece readily available. Custom millwork and furniture is a WKD specialty.

See our other kitchen projects:
Antique Colonial Kitchen
Dutch Colonial Revival Kitchen

See case study for this home