Our clients have a dreamy in-town row house perfect for empty nesters who still have kids bouncing home frequently for visits. Fresh off a trip to Europe, they were inspired by the allure and appeal of so many details from the Parisian apartment they had called home on their travels. Having worked with this family several times prior, we were able to follow her creative lead to design a European-inspired kitchen overhaul that involved adding a wall, changing out the island, reconfiguring some cabinetry, new stone and paint and a completely new run of pantry storage with a hidden door. The hidden door was to conceal a powder room that was directly off of the kitchen. A note to architects in general - please don't put the bathroom adjoining the kitchen! The newly hidden powder room got a makeover too - from builder basic to a fabulous water closet with panache.
The real genius of the kitchen was the client's "aha" moment when she decided closing the kitchen would give her the coziness she was craving for her space. Formerly open to the dining room and living, the original kitchen felt a bit vacant and small. Counterintuitively, adding a wall back in amplifies the sense of space, makes the kitchen a destination and of course adds more storage.
In keeping with the European vibe the client was after, we designed a custom island table with gorgeous barley twist legs in a walnut stain - perfect both for food prep and for cozying up with a dinner for two or entertaining. A classic globe lantern with filigree details is simple, substantial and delicate all at once. A quiet but dramatic quartzite tops the counters and backsplash, and the warm greige of the cabinets and walls was chosen to coordinate. Antique mirror and brass bistro shelving keep the space feeling open and allows for light to bounce around, and of course provides a spot for display.
The powder room and its secret door are a work of art all their own. Our construction partners, DEGROOT CONSTRUCTION figured out all the gnarly details to make sure the wall would feel like a true run of cabinets, while also hiding the fully functional and standard size door - magic! We chose a stunning, moody mural from Schumacher and added in paneling detail in a color-matched blue to wrap the space in drama. Brass hardware and accents and the perfect art shine against all the blue and are the icing on the cake. Plus, privacy in the bathroom is restored!
This project was a true collaboration with a homeowner who knew exactly the vibe and function she was after - we were the lucky ducks who got to bring it to life, along with a talented construction team.
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