Chocolate and cream

The warmth of dark, rich wood and the cool presence of stone are often found in traditional, formal kitchens. However, with different treatments and attention to tonal highlights, these classic materials can be reinvented to create a sleek, clean-lined and decidedly modern cooking space.

For this kitchen, adjacent dining area and family room, the owners wanted a continuation of the warm, muted tones found elsewhere in the house. Easy-care surfaces that would save guests wondering where to set down their wine glasses were also important. Interior designers Angelica Henry and Janet Brooks created the interior for the entire residence.

"An interesting aspect of this project was taking these slightly masculine tones and translating them into relaxed family environments," says Henry. "Part of the reason for choosing the quiet palette was to complement rather than overshadow the owners' many artworks in fact, we used these vibrant canvases as points of contrast within the design."

The chocolate-stained oak cabinetry is given a lighter sensibility through custom glass laminate inserts, says Brooks.

"The backsplash picks up the colors around it and has a glass component which brings a sparkle to the kitchen," she says. "A small, square skylight also plays natural light onto the central island."

In a design that favors straight lines, contrasting curves are seen in the range hood, the round tables and a custom rug.

Story by: Charles Moxham