“I'm a fan of 1970s architecture with an experimental feel,” says Louise Goff, principal of Louise M. Smith Design. She's inspired by the types of projects architecture professors build during summer semesters: weekend homes in Vermont. “You saw a lot of circle pulls,” she added. Cutouts like this alerted those in the kitchen she designed in this Cambridge townhouse. The clients, a creative couple and her two children, prefer a mix of mid-century and Scandinavian design, with a bit more roughness than sophistication. “They like a modern, natural feel; nothing fancy,” she says. “The soapstone, heather ceramic tiles, and connection to the outdoors were easy decisions.”
1 cabinet The Benjamin Moore Stonecutter by Walter Lane Cabinet Makers is painted an off-black color that pairs well with the black soapstone countertop and tone-on-tone. “We settled on a dark palette early on and built on it from there,” Goff says.
2 backsplash Highly graphic with crisp, dark grout lines, Heath Ceramics' handcrafted tiles have a natural feel with imperfect edges and clay peeking through the glaze. “When you are in the space, you feel the warmth of the space,” says the architect.
3 of shelf Made of plywood with exposed edges. “There was no need to reclaim wood from an old barn,” she says. “This look is more practical.” However, white oak floorboards feature knots.
4 Electrical appliances disappear, painted wood also disappears Hood. “If you need to work on a machine, it’s easier to go into a wooden enclosure than a plaster enclosure,” says Goff.
5 new window It helped bring in light and greenery and create an asymmetrical yet balanced composition. It also provided an obvious endpoint for the backsplash. “Sometimes we tile all the way to the ceiling, but that's too busy,” Goff explains.
6A bench The kitchen, which opens onto the side garden, is the main gathering place, so it was essential for relaxing and reading. Sconces and storage from Cedar & Moss add functionality, while cushions, including those from his Abandon Modern in Cambridge, offer color, texture and comfort.
Marni Elise Katz is a contributing editor at Globe Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @Style Carrot. Please send your comments to magazine@globe.com.
