a kitchen renovation

Alright. alright. Its fall, autumn… whatever you want to call it… baaa hum bug. I know. EVERYONE LOVES FALL! Everyone but me, that is. Its not that I don’t like the idea of fall– mild weather, crisp fresh apples, beautiful leaves and all that comes with the change of season. Its just that I love it when the days become longer and warmer, not the other way around. I know… I’m supposed to live “in the moment.” so tough.

That was an accident that the top photo turned out so well. really. Isn’t it pretty, though? This is what a client of mine will be looking out on as she’s washing her dishes in a couple of weeks. This is also very near where I currently live. I know… its gorgeous and we pay dearly for it. Again, a subject for a DIFFERENT blog. lol. The photos here are all in the process, but the kitchen is about 90% done now.

This is just to the left of the kitchen sink. The sunroom/ eating area at one time, was a deck and just beyond this counter, now completely open, was an exterior wall. When the reno started the wall was up with only a small window, making the kitchen small, dark and also not taking full advantage of the exquisite view!  I am not a kitchen designer, per se, but for this project my client used the wonderful architectural firm in Katonah, NY– the Helmes Group and I have to say that I think that they did a magnificent job!  The layout is superb and they made the most of the space, I believe. We also renovated the small bathroom off of the kitchen.

We also enlisted the help of a kitchen and bath designer named Michael Jackson at Ring’s End in Vista, NY.    I have enjoyed working with Michael so much, that I took another client over there who is doing a similar job.  Where I came in as I helped in the selection of all of the finish materials. We chose a simple traditional design which suits this lake-side Dutch Colonial-style cottage home. My client had some very definite ideas going into the project and I love that. She knew that she wanted cork floors (which are currently covered, but very cool!) oiled soap stone counters and a white carrera marble on the island. We decided that since all of the trim in the home was already linen white, that linen white, was the way to go for the main cabinet color. Then, we both fell in love with the soft gray/blue for the island and chose a coordinating color for the wall color.

And check out that window! Why is it black? It was actually covered up before with a cabinet! What a sin! A replacement window is coming very soon. We went to my fave place for tile and stone– Alise Marble in Bedford Hills. They are immensely helpful in there (Chris helped us) and have an incredible boutique selection of high end tiles and every friggin kind of stone that God every created. We fell in love with a brushed glass pale, pale watery blue 2X4 subway tile. It reminded me of the water. How lovely! Its similar to the tile below, but not at all shiny. BTW, the fridge is not blue. That is the protective wrapping!

I suggested the beadboard for the back and brackets to give the piece a more furniture-like look.Believe it or not, this photo is straight. The original deck floor slanted down towards the lake for drainage and the clients, perhaps out of respect, decided to keep it in its original form. another view of the hutch with the carrera marble top in the foreground.

Their doggie is so sweet (even though he kept getting in my way) and can’t wait to jump out onto the brand new deck.

Wait until you see the pendant going over the island. It is currently in their DR, but its better suited for the kitchen. It is mostly made of blown glass and will be smashing in there and a bit different.

For the eating, sun area, The clients already have a small round table and chairs and we will be adding a small settee, two very small end tables with lamps and a couple of stools and that’s pretty much it!

xo,