Chefs domain Italianate villa kitchen remodeled by Martin Horner

Designing a kitchen to reflect a specific style of architecture can be highly successful, but only if it doesn't compromise the functionality and light.

The owners of this large Italianate villa, Mark and Marianna Tanguay, liked the architecture and character of their home, but were not so enamored of the kitchen, says designer Martin Horner of Soucie Horner.

"The house is typical of the Italian style, with lots of interesting features, including a central courtyard," Horner says. "But the existing kitchen had a very heavy, ornate look. It didn't suit the owners' tastes, and it didn't function well for them. One of the owners is a chef and they love to cook and entertain. They wanted a kitchen where many people could work at the same time. They like to have everybody involved in the chopping, dicing and cooking."

Horner says several changes were made to the great room, in addition to new cabinetry. To balance the dark-stained beams above the room, new, dark-stained beams were installed along the top of the side walls.

"The existing beams ended at the white drywall, which looked rather odd. The new beams at the side give the room a more finished look."

Horner also added a new stone and copper hearth-style cooking center and chimney. The stone was chosen to match the existing stone at the top of the side walls.

"The chimney is on a similar scale to the large fireplace on the opposite wall. It provides a strong focal point for the kitchen."

Two islands were designed to accommodate a variety of workstations. The island nearest the cooktop and ovens incorporates a raised cabinet for storing spices and other items used in cooking. At one end of the island, there is a food preparation area, which has its own sink and integrated chopping board.

A second island is the designated cleanup area. This island has a large farm sink and dishwashers. It also conceals a juicer, which rises from the cabinet at the touch of a button. A raised wood bar top provides an ideal place for guests to sit and socialize.

Horner says all the new cabinets feature custom profiles. The door style of these cabinets is clean and transitional, with a small bead detail. At the sides of the kitchen, however, some cabinetry from the original kitchen was retained, and painted to match the soft beige tones of the new units.

"We framed these existing side cabinets with dark-stained wood," says Horner. "This defines the cabinetry, giving it a presence previously, the cabinets looked as though they were stuck in a drywall box."

Granite countertops and a matching mosaic backsplash complement the tones of the natural stone, and the Jerusalem stone floor tiles.

Story by: Colleen Hawkes