Hot in the Kitchen
The most important room in the house gets a style infusion
Lambourne, by Christopher Peacock, is inspired by a 16th century rural farmland area near Christopher’s hometown Northeast of London. The collection is influenced by the rich paneling details from the local church and Lambourne Hall, and is anchored by a kitchen island that is reminiscent of an old scullery worktable.
Form and function do not have to be mutually exclusive, especially in the kitchen. The room—where families gather, where homework is done, and where delicious creations are attempted—should be both beautiful and efficient. Thankfully, that is more possible than ever, with companies creating furnishings, hardware, cabinetry, and surfaces that delight the senses and perform well under pressure.
In a contemporary kitchen, Cindy Ilagan Hengge of Kiran Design Group, set off the existing Wood-Mode flat-front cabinetry with modern elements like a tile backsplash from Porcelanosa, ovens by Miele, an induction stove by Gagganeau, refrigerator by Sub-Zero, and hardware by Dornbracht through K&B Galleries. At the kitchen island, bar stools by David Heltzer through HOLLY HUNT are covered in chic stripes by Pindler.
For inspiration, these designers thought about how their clients use their kitchens, but also about style and how the room integrates into the rest of the home. Choosing products that blend seamlessly by picking up elements of color and design makes for a successful design throughout the home.
In a Wilmette kitchen designed by Park + Oak (left), the designers created a transitional look that is clean and contemporary, while also being evocative of a country kitchen. A La Cornue range in Provence blue is the centerpiece. In designer Windsor Smith’s California home (right), her chef’s kitchen is designed for entertaining. A large center island by Artistic Tile, shallow, accessible shelving, Gaggenau appliances, and minimal-look cabinetry create a warm, inviting, yet supremely useful space.
A common thread in our featured kitchens is the blending of styles. These successful designs incorporate traditional elements with a modern twist, found in unexpected finishes, textures, colors, and shapes.
In an Old Town home for empty nesters, Nicholas Moriarty of NMI created an industrial modern kitchen. His clients fell in love with Scavolini’s stained metal lacquer finish cabinetry, which he softened by adding in some white oak veneer in key spots. The backsplash is by Waterworks, and the cabinet hardware is by Buster + Punch through Katonah. Steam oven, range, and hood by Miele and refrigerator and freezer by Sub-Zero.