Home By Design

A Classic Kitchen with Muted Tones Is Easy on the Eyes

The symmetrical windows were intentionally left bare to maximize the views of the tree-filled property. The well-planned design follows suit with a refrigerator on one end and a full-size freezer on the other. “The kitchen is very symmetrical,” Keene says. “The size and shape of the cabinetry storage and work space on the left is repeated on the right.”

The symmetry continues with a flat-screen television that sits in a niche above the refrigerator, while an identical niche on the other side of the room holds decorative accessories above the freezer. Wallpaper that gives the illusion of stone brings depth and dimension to the mostly neutral space. Once again, the same paper is repeated in the foyer to connect the disparate spaces.

Details really do make a difference in this space. Decorative leg curvature designs on either side of the range resemble finely carved furniture. A white ceiling and crown molding brighten the room and accentuate the cabinetry. The crisp contrast allows the neutrals to shine.

A butler’s pantry, complete with a wine cooler and an icemaker, leads to the main dining room. A hutch cleverly hides a coffee bar that allows the homeowners to start their day in style.

For anyone contemplating a kitchen project of any kind, Keene says it’s important to take your time with the planning on the front end in order to get the best results. When it comes to design, she says, “It’s an evolving process.”

Written by jeanine matlow

Photography by john umberger/real images

The hub of the home may be bustling with activity, but the aesthetic doesn’t have to be busy, too. Instead, it can make a statement with softer hues. That was the case for a custom kitchen—built from the ground up—filled with elegant yet understated elements that will stand the test of time.

Anne Keene, kitchen and bath designer and project coordinator for Cornerstone Design Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia, weighs in on some of the distinctive details in the family-friendly space that was designed by the company. As she explains, a great deal of consideration goes into the planning of a kitchen. From the finish of the cabinetry to the fixtures and the flooring, there are endless decisions to be made. For this project in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, no stone was left unturned. All the bells and whistles are perfectly positioned in this exquisite kitchen created for homeowners who put cooking and entertaining at the top of their list.

Modern-day conveniences blend effortlessly with more traditional decor. “The kitchen is definitely modern in that it has up-to-date appliances like the pro range with eight burners, double ovens, and refrigerator and freezer storage that is completely concealed,” Keene explains. “It’s also a large open space that’s great to cook in, so in that case I consider it modern, too. But the style is definitely traditional.”

The kitchen contains a number of features with a French influence, says Keene, such as carved corbels and beaded raised-panel cabinetry. It also has plenty of texture, which is especially evident in the richly detailed cabinet doors. “The cabinets were finished with an off-white paint and brown glaze,” Keene says. “It gives the kitchen more of an old-world style.”

Function and form go hand in hand in this elegant and efficient space that incorporates plenty of storage into the plan. A desk area was designed for the children to do their homework and crafts. Nearby bookshelves keep cookbooks at bay.

As Keene explains, the homeowner wanted the kitchen to be aesthetically pleasing from afar because it can be seen from the foyer. The adjoining spaces share similarities while remaining distinct. Dark-stained oak flooring changes direction from one room to the next, while the use of the same material visually ties them together. The leaf pattern on the chandelier in the kitchen plays off the one in the foyer. “It has curls and playfulness like the corbels,” Keene says. “Both have similar shapes that feature lampshades, so they blend without being matched.”

The soothing palette contains just enough contrast to the darker tones found in the walnut mantel above the range, the antique bronze hardware, the wood barstools, and the richly stained flooring that anchors the space. The tumbled marble backsplash adds texture without introducing color to the mix.

Granite countertops contain warm tones of gray and beige highlighted by cream-colored veining that complements the colors in the cabinetry. The generous island, which houses the sink, features corbels that were attached to raised panels and constructed in one piece. “That way it has the presence of furniture,” says Keene. “The island is great for people to sit nearby without being underfoot.”

How to Make a Neutral Kitchen Pop

A layered look that contains off-white paint with a brown glaze adds visual interest to the cabinetry. Beaded raised panels further enhance the appearance. Architectural details, such as corbels and crown molding, bring depth and dimension to the space. Hardware is a small detail that packs a big punch to the overall scheme.

Contrasting features, like dark furniture and accents in a neutral setting, make everything more defined. Dark flooring provides the perfect foundation for a room with lighter hues. The white ceiling and trim stand out against the neutral cabinets and dark floors.

Play with scale and shape instead of introducing more color to the mix. The stone backsplash shows that you can change the scale of something rather than the color. Wallpaper introduces a pattern that can be more visually stimulating than paint, especially in a subtle space.

Carol Best - Luxury | Short Sales|Foreclosures

Text: 773.799.5939

773.799.5939

Carol@CarolBest.net

www.ShortSaleHelpNorthernIllinois.com

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