Regardless of whether we are making meals from scratch or dining on takeout, the kitchen is still the heart of the home for most of us. And when it comes time to renovate, it’s the most expensive room to transform and a major disruption to our routine. It’s no wonder most people, when they renovate their kitchen, want to make choices they will be happy with for years to come. There are countless styles out there to choose from. Here, we share an array of kitchens that combine practical solutions to everyday storage and meal prep while maximizing style in a way that doesn’t grow tiresome.
A Touch of Drama
Dual islands draped in book-matched Panda white marble set the tone in this glamorous New Canaan, CT, kitchen by DEANE, Inc., who revisited this home for their returning clients to up the sophistication of their family kitchen now that the kids were grown. They used the same Panda marble on the backsplash and hood of the range and on the surround of the fireplace in the open concept space to create a sense of continuity. “Frameless cabinetry, tapered door style and satin brass hardware are deliberately understated to highlight the marble,” says Peter Deane, principal designer at DEANE Inc, who worked with interior designer Arlene Pastor and Stirling Mills Designs. Choosing a timeless material and keeping proportions at the forefront of design decisions are critical for creating a design that is both of-the-moment and enduring. “From there, we layer in personality through details that are easier to update over time, such as lighting, hardware, or a backsplash that adds character without locking the homeowner into a trend,” adds Deane, who installed hardware with an unlacquered brass finish intended to age beautifully over time. The two islands are as practical as they are pretty: one dedicated for prep work and the other surrounded by six seats for gathering. “To tie everything together, we added a tray ceiling with wallpaper detailing, which subtly frames the islands and makes the whole space feel intentional and cohesive,” says Deane.
Soft and Natural
The soft edges and traditional materials of this Westchester County, NY, kitchen give it an elegance that feels ageless, while the pop of green cabinetry from Joe Lore Design and modern lighting feel unexpected and current. Most important to any project, says Westchester-based designer Katherine Gold, principal of her eponymous design firm, is respect for the architecture of the home you are designing, particularly with older homes. Wood flooring blends seamlessly throughout the home while stone countertops and brass hardware feel classically elegant. Lighting, which is easy to change out over time, serves as both form and function in the classically designed kitchen. “Tailored island pendants and sculptural rattan chandelier over the table bring a modern edge and artistic wow factor,” says Gold. “We started with classic materials and introduced color and lighting in a way that feels current but not tied to a moment.”
European Warmth
Deeply rooted in Scandinavian design, the kitchen of this waterfront home in Norwalk, CT, was created by Leicht designer Jennifer Martabano with a big dose of the Danish philosophy of Hygge, which emphasizes warmth, joy and comfort. Anchoring a kitchen design in a tried-and-true design philosophy ensures the finished results will have staying power. “Every element in the kitchen reflects the personality and way of life of the homeowner,” says Martabano. The home’s modern architecture lent itself well to the German-engineered Euro-style Leicht custom cabinetry. Orlando Highland Oak lower cabinets are paired with smooth matte F-45 Midnight Blue upper cabinets and floor-to-ceiling Concrete Dakar cabinets along one wall. A live edge natural wood countertop is supported by a metal arch. The island’s curved sculptural sensibility contrasts the straight-lined geometric cabinetry. A marble style waterfall effect on the island and a marble style stone backsplash elevate the look. “As common in European kitchens, high-end materials and products are used to feel luxurious and natural at the same time,” adds Martabano. At the core of the entire design is functionality, with high-end appliances, a custom-designed cooktop hood and strategically placed lighting. “This entire design embraces Scandinavian concepts of living with intention by creating a welcoming, comforting and personalized space with meaningful connections, natural elements, and German Leicht cabinetry that seamlessly blend form with function for a joyful everyday lifestyle,” says Martabano.
Cottage Charm
When Last Detail Interior Design founder and principal designer Carey Karlan undertook a renovation of her own kitchen in Darien, CT, she peeled away stale and lifeless modern updates and dug into the historical roots of Rose Cottage, her circa 1820s home, to play up the wide-plank floors and low ceilings with a Cotswold-style cottage kitchen. “I was looking to blend the old and new in a fresh, family friendly way,” says Karlan.
She added a reclaimed wood beam to counterbalance the modernity of the skylight over the kitchen table. She removed a nonfunctioning chimney shaft to make room for more storage. Bright white cabinetry is paired with a Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport green island with a marble countertop. Most of the cabinetry has marble countertop—a timeless choice for any kitchen—but rather than piece together the marble to continue the countertop where the wall jets out, a piece of butcherblock is slightly imperfect and plays on the old-world charm she was looking to evoke. A classic white subway tile backsplash and a grasscloth wallpaper make for a good backdrop for her collection of art and blue and white china. “The painted grasscloth is kind of contemporary, but I liked the energy and fun of it,” says Karlan. The table and chairs are Serena & Lily combined with a few mismatched outdoor chairs she had slipcovers and cushions made for. “I love to mix it up! Another example of that is the antique pine chest with my mother’s traditional silver service and a contemporary J Nestle painting I found at a Paris flea market—all touch points of wonderful memories,” says Karlan. In the adjoining family room, she continued the blues and greens and painted the floors a soft, aged blue and white. Custom shades from The Accessory Store and lamps from Fairfield County Antique & Design Center pair well with blue and white furnishings from Lee Industries. “My clients tend to be more practical than I am and less likely to want the imperfect, collected look I enjoy,” she notes. “I don’t care that the painted floor will eventually chip and scratch or that I could have had more storage space if I’d done more cabinets versus floating shelves.”
