Suzanne didn't mind stainless steel appliances at all. Nevertheless, when she and her husband John renovated the kitchen of her North Reading home where she raised her three children, they felt those installations were expected. “I didn't like the industrial look of stainless steel,” she admits. “We like things that look old and traditional.”
But this time, Suzanne and John have put their heart and soul into the design. Working with architect Scott Brown and Star Island Builders, the couple built her 1930s-style Dutch Colony in Rye, a town they have always loved. Paula Accioly, head of design at Jewett Farms + Co., collaborated with the duo in the kitchen. The process included reviewing everything we didn't like about our current kitchen.
Combining coastal sensibilities and New England craftsmanship, the centerpiece of the new kitchen is the La Cornue series in periwinkle blue enamel with polished brass accents. Yes, it was expensive, but Suzanne cooks a lot and John likes to bake. Additionally, this piece will set the tone for the entire space, including the dining alcove and adjacent living area. As their daughter kindly (cheekily) observed, they were building a barn for John's antique car collection, so they were certainly able to splurge on the stove that Suzanne adored.
This series anchors the main wall and highlights creamy white cabinetry with an attractive coastal color. “I always wanted a blue and white kitchen, but not too much,” says Suzanne. The pattern backsplash she chose for Rye's portico her tiles adds a subtle layer of interest. The neutral hue complements the room's beachy wood accents, and there's also a hint of blue.
Preliminary plans showed an area between the wall at the end of the island, the cased opening to the pantry and mudroom. The visual impact likely came from the seating area, but Accioly rearranged the seating area to improve functionality. “Especially if you like to cook, you need a cooking surface on both sides, so we put the range on the longest wall,” she says. The new position also makes it easier to vent the hood outdoors.
We packed a lot of functionality into that wall. “The first thing Suzanne told me is that she has a lot of spice,” says the designer. “We built a wide drawer on the right side where we can line them all up.” There's also a rack inside the upper cabinet door for things like large containers or oil bottles. Suzanne is glad that she is free from the ineffective and lazy Susan Spice System, and she never misses the sound of the lids clinking as they fall from the cabinets. “Everything fits neatly in the big drawers,” she says. “I also keep the plates in there.”
The paneled refrigerator and pull-out pantry cabinets are almost invisible from the walk-in pantry. “You want the tallest, bulkiest cabinets in the most inconspicuous locations so they don't overwhelm the space,” Axioly explains. “We placed the refrigerator and pantry side by side to make it easier to put away groceries.”
According to Suzanne, the pantry has been a game-changer in terms of eliminating clutter from the kitchen. A microwave, toaster, bread basket, vitamins, and other everyday essentials are hidden here. It also provided an opportunity for shots of color. The cabinet is painted a dark blue. “When I stick my head in the pantry, I'm amazed at how blue it is,” Suzanne says happily.
For the short wall at the end of the island, Accioly designed a hatch. The central section has a retractable pocket door that reveals the oak paneled back and countertop for serving and mixing drinks, while glass front doors on either side provide access to glassware and You can see the pottery. “Our old kitchen didn't have storage space for the Austrian crystal that her husband collected when he lived there,” says Suzanne.
An elegant vignette is also an effective focal point. “When we design, we consider all sightlines so that we can deliver something beautiful from every perspective,” says Axioli. She points to the glossy slat ceiling and notes how the beams and millwork are seamlessly integrated. “We often start building cabinets before the house is built and even before the foundation is in place, which means the contractor has to build according to our plans,” says the designer. “The builders worked hard to make sure everything was in place.”
In the center of the room is a rift-sawn white oak island with a whitish oil finish and dark soapstone top. The countertop is connected to a traditional black dining table and chairs that the couple brought from their previous home. The table's rustic wooden top has withstood the wear and tear of the family over the years, but Suzanne is looking forward to seeing the soapstone eventually acquire a patina. “Soapstone tells a story,” she says. “You'll see a mark showing you exactly where you put your coffee cup each morning.” As expected, it's warm and comfortable.
Learn more about the project team
architect: art architect
Contractor: Hunter Whitmore, Whitmore Brothers Construction Company
Landscape architect: Nina Brown, Brown, Richardson + Rowe
architect: scott brown
Contractor: star island builders
Kitchen design and cabinets: Jewett Farms + Company
