Kitchen of the Week: Red Energizes a Functional White Kitchen
A client’s roots in the Netherlands and desire for red countertops drive a unique design
Becky Harris
June 2, 2015
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
“My client’s main criteria for this kitchen was that it had to have red counters,” says interior designer Lorey Cavanaugh. While she’d never used red counters before, Cavanaugh is a big fan of the color herself — in fact, it’s her signature color. “Without having to even think about it, I told her, ‘I’m all-in!’” she says.
The homeowner’s family tree is rooted in the Netherlands, so the designer also wanted to bring a Scandinavian modern feel to this kitchen in a way that worked with the rest of her 1920s brick colonial-style home in Connecticut. With a mix of clean lines and white with warmer touches, the kitchen strikes a beautiful balance that suits the home and has modern European flair.
The homeowner’s family tree is rooted in the Netherlands, so the designer also wanted to bring a Scandinavian modern feel to this kitchen in a way that worked with the rest of her 1920s brick colonial-style home in Connecticut. With a mix of clean lines and white with warmer touches, the kitchen strikes a beautiful balance that suits the home and has modern European flair.
Photos by Chrissy Racho
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters)
Cavanaugh describes the “before” situation as “a very plain-Jane renovation,” complete with wood cabinets, white appliances and laminate counters. There were no signs of the original 1920s version of the kitchen, and the layout was awkward and clunky, without much convenient counter space near the range.
Previously, there had been a bulky refrigerator right next to the range, which cut down on precious workspace. Now the new Aga range and chimney-style vent hood are centered on the wall, with plenty of space on either side. Hanging rods keep cooking utensils handy.
Aga Pro 36-inch stainless steel dual-fuel range
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple of empty nesters
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Size: 280 square feet (26 square meters)
Cavanaugh describes the “before” situation as “a very plain-Jane renovation,” complete with wood cabinets, white appliances and laminate counters. There were no signs of the original 1920s version of the kitchen, and the layout was awkward and clunky, without much convenient counter space near the range.
Previously, there had been a bulky refrigerator right next to the range, which cut down on precious workspace. Now the new Aga range and chimney-style vent hood are centered on the wall, with plenty of space on either side. Hanging rods keep cooking utensils handy.
Aga Pro 36-inch stainless steel dual-fuel range
The clean lines, crisp white finishes and Aga range lend a Scandinavian look. “This kitchen is a little bit of a stretch for a Connecticut colonial, but the Shaker cabinets and oil-rubbed-bronze hardware are more in keeping with it,” Cavanaugh says. “Using flat or no-panel cabinet fronts with more modern hardware would have made it more European but less fitting for the home.” This way, she’s mingled the best of both worlds.
Large hexagonal floor tiles help to warm the space. They are porcelain, but their Chicago Brick finish gives them more of an old-world look that contrasts with all of the crisp white.
Countertops: Red Jewel, ColorQuartz; tile: Suprema Gloss Crystal White, handcrafted in Mexico; cabinets: Ultracraft Plainview in Maple, in Beach White color; hardware: Top Knobs; floor tile: Chicago State Street Esagona hex; pull-down faucet: Venuto, Brizo
Large hexagonal floor tiles help to warm the space. They are porcelain, but their Chicago Brick finish gives them more of an old-world look that contrasts with all of the crisp white.
Countertops: Red Jewel, ColorQuartz; tile: Suprema Gloss Crystal White, handcrafted in Mexico; cabinets: Ultracraft Plainview in Maple, in Beach White color; hardware: Top Knobs; floor tile: Chicago State Street Esagona hex; pull-down faucet: Venuto, Brizo
Tip: Install a countertop cabinet where the counter space is not usable. The countertop in the corner here is hard to reach and would not have been used for any work. So Cavanaugh gave her client a spot to store herbs, oils and other supplies she’ll need when cooking, within arm’s reach of the range. Stylewise, the way that it extends from countertop to ceiling adds to the clean-lined architecture of the room.
“The open shelves and the homeowner’s accessories also help to warm up the kitchen and soften all of the clean lines,” Cavanaugh says. Open shelves in lieu of cabinets keep an airy feeling in the kitchen; xenon undercabinet lighting gives the room a happy glow.
Here you can see the new sliding pantry doors. Their fir wood is another element that adds warmth.
Here you can see the new sliding pantry doors. Their fir wood is another element that adds warmth.
Moving the refrigerator made the kitchen more comfortable and less jammed up. Double wall ovens used to be mounted in the fridge’s current spot. The new Aga range eliminated the need for them.
The pantry used to have two framed closet doors and was awkwardly placed and laid out. “The back hallway is a busy thoroughfare, and those doors swinging out made access challenging,” Cavanaugh explains. Now sliding doors with frosted glass make the pantry more accessible and organized. New lighting inside makes it easy to see the food, while frosted glass keeps it from looking cluttered.
Spin stool: Crate & Barrel; pantry doors: Simpson door in light fir with obscure satin etch glass, Brosco
Spin stool: Crate & Barrel; pantry doors: Simpson door in light fir with obscure satin etch glass, Brosco
Cavanaugh repeated the frosted glass detail on these cabinets. They occupy a space between the working part of the kitchen and the eat-in part of the kitchen, and are great for storing cookbooks.
There was a peninsula in this spot before, but the new one is wider, with better storage and seating. Just across from it is the eat-in area. This area was existing, but everyone always sensed that something was off about it.
“I extended the window down 18 inches,” Cavanaugh says. “It was in this awkwardly high spot; we assume the original kitchen had the sink underneath it and that someone flipped the room around years ago.” As it turned out, it was fortuitous that the designer was messing around with that window; during construction they discovered it had been installed incorrectly and was causing the exterior brick above it to crack. They were able to do the unexpected repair work and saved the house from really costly damage down the line.
There was a peninsula in this spot before, but the new one is wider, with better storage and seating. Just across from it is the eat-in area. This area was existing, but everyone always sensed that something was off about it.
“I extended the window down 18 inches,” Cavanaugh says. “It was in this awkwardly high spot; we assume the original kitchen had the sink underneath it and that someone flipped the room around years ago.” As it turned out, it was fortuitous that the designer was messing around with that window; during construction they discovered it had been installed incorrectly and was causing the exterior brick above it to crack. They were able to do the unexpected repair work and saved the house from really costly damage down the line.
The new kitchen is functional, cheerful, updated, warm and welcoming.
Tell us: Would you consider colorful counters? No consideration of home resale is allowed — this is all about you and not some fictional future buyers! Let us know in the Comments section.
See more Kitchens of the Week
Tell us: Would you consider colorful counters? No consideration of home resale is allowed — this is all about you and not some fictional future buyers! Let us know in the Comments section.
See more Kitchens of the Week
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You are allowed to go 'bold' in 1 element of your new kitchen. It's important to use it wisely. If you are going to be daring in the countertop, we would recommend that you choose a material that will look rich, especially if it's bright, like red or green.
This homeowner always wanted granite so she chose to deviate in color to a green granite. THe tones were just right. When you pick a slab, many times there are scores of shades, so choose a slab that has alot of the 'tone you love'.
The rest of the tones are just to balance it and give it texture. Then bring in accessories in other locations of the room to pick up those tones. Now you have a kitchen that is pulled together. Have fun with it and enjoy the journey and you'll inevitibly enjoy your new kitchen that reflects your personal style!
Amazing article.