Character study remodled kitchen by Nadia Subaran

Cooking for guests is especially challenging when you have to work out of a tiny kitchen. This is precisely what the owners of this 1930s house faced every time they entertained, which was often.

Not surprisingly, something had to give. The solution? An addition that would provide plenty of space for the whole family and would make socializing easy and enjoyable.

Designer Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design says the original kitchen became the butler's pantry, and the new space was anchored by a large, central ebony-stained oak island.

"The kitchen needed to look good, and work with the era of the house, but it also had to be highly functional," she says. "Both the owners love to cook, and it was essential to provide a kitchen where they could work uninterrupted."

With this in mind, the designer positioned the work areas on one side and at the end of the island, and added a bar top to provide a further visual barrier.

"The key circulation through the kitchen stays outside the main work zone," Subaran says. "But a cantilevered table-style end to the island maintains a sense of connection."

Aidan Design selected Brookhaven's Edgemont recessed panel doors to give the kitchen a transitional look that complements the 1930s architecture. The hardware on the island also fits with the era, but as with the black stain, it puts a modern spin on tradition the bin pulls and knobs are glass with a chrome backing.

Perimeter cabinets are maple, painted in Antique White. A decorative crown moulding sets off the overhead cabinets and helps to disguise a bulkhead along one wall.

"Part of the kitchen is within the existing house and like any older home, there were a few structural elements and services that needed to be accommodated in the design," says Subaran. "But wherever possible we gave the appliances a built-in look, while taking the most affordable option."

Countertops feature Typhoon Gold granite, which was one of the first materials to be chosen by the owners.

"Both the granite and the ceramic floor tiles have a lot of visual movement, so we opted for a more simple subway tile for the backsplash," says the designer.

The glossy white subway tiles also enhance the transitional look of the kitchen, as does the French Provincial-style hood above the range, which was recycled from the original kitchen. Subaran says the metal hood was wrapped in plywood and painted black.

"Everything else in the kitchen is white or very light. The black accents give it a much stronger, more dramatic presence."

Open shelving was specified for the butler's pantry this helps show off a decorative mosaic tile backsplash. The pantry provides plenty of additional storage, along with a second sink and refrigerator.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes