Everything old is new again

Attention to detail can unify the interior of any home, no matter the size. And incorporating original motifs and timeless materials into a new or remodeled room ensures it will blend seamlessly.

In this remodeled kitchen, wooden panels and intricate moldings echo the rest of the Georgian Revival house, says Philip Bates, principal of The Classic Group.

"The kitchen surrounds you with a wealth of detail," Bates says. "Those details don't jump out at you, but the longer you live with them, the more you notice and appreciate the fine craftsmanship."

The oak barrel-vault ceiling is the kitchen's new focal point, says interior designer Anthony Catalfano. The ceiling repeats an arch motif found throughout the house.

The ceiling was dropped some eight inches to about 12ft to create a more intimate space for cooking. The arch defines the work area, encompassing the range, the granite-topped island and the refrigerator.

Catalfano specified materials and colors to create a warm, eat-in family kitchen, drawing inspiration from the 1929 house. The wood echoes the wainscoting found in adjacent, more formal, public rooms.

A richly textured tile in green with a beige overglaze was chosen for the back-splashes and behind the stove. The texture complements the stained wood while the beige color picks up tones from the limestone floor. The edges of the blocks were left rough for a rustic look to make the space more homey.

"This is a new kitchen with the latest technology, but the intent was to make it look as if it had been in place for years," Catalfano says.

The details in the cabinetry are oversized so they appear substantial, and commensurate with the rest of the interior. At 2.5in thick, the granite countertop is almost an inch thicker than average, to balance the scale of the room. The heavy cabinets are supported by scrolled corbels, again creating a feeling of weight.

Rift-sawn oak, rather than quarter-sawn, is used for the highly detailed cabinets because it gives a smoother look and allows for nearly invisible joins. A rich brown glaze almost opaque gives sharp relief to the molding and panel details, imparting an antique look.

A handmade copper range hood above the large cooktop complements the elliptical shape of the leaded-glass transoms atop the windows and the French doors.

In renovating and enlarging the old kitchen, the home-owners sought to smooth the flow for entertaining as well as for cooking everyday meals.

The professional stove and two ovens can service a full catering staff during a big party. For smaller gatherings, the butler's pantry provides a place to prepare food which will be taken to the adjoining formal dining or family room. Rather than drawing guests into the kitchen during parties, the homeowners prefer this room to remain an essentially private space.

Story by: Lori Nims