This Bold Kitchen is The Focal Point of The Home

A patterned backsplash is a focal point of the kitchen.

Clerestory windows flood the new kitchen with natural light.

Hickory accents provide a warm counterpoint to the soapstone countertops, the blue-and-white tiles from Country Floors, and the blue appliances from BlueStar.

When the owners of this turn-of-the-century Victorian in Winchester, Massachusetts, had the opportunity to renovate and expand, their top priority was building a spacious new kitchen that would serve as the heart of the home. The couple—who love to cook and entertain—called upon architect Chris Brown of b Architecture Studio and interior designer Annie Hall to help them imagine their dream kitchen,  which was to include two islands, two sinks, and two dishwashers. “Their original kitchen was a small pass-through that didn’t have enough counter space or storage,” recalls Brown. “Now it’s a focal point of  the home and open to the living, dining, and family areas.” The biggest challenge, according to Brown, was configuring the large space so that nothing would be too far out of reach. When it came to the aesthetic choices, the architect and designer “bridged the original house and addition by conjuring a clean farmhouse look and employing more modern furnishings,” says Hall, who experimented with various materials, including reclaimed hickory, tile, soapstone, and woven paneling. “The clients weren’t looking for a white kitchen, so we thought it would be interesting to incorporate lots of different finishes as well as punches of bright blue.”

Project
Interior design: Annie Hall Interiors
Builder: Finback Contracting
Cabinetry: Mcintosh &  Company