Frozen river

A whitewashed, New England-style aesthetic can work very well in a classic kitchen project. Following up with distinctive accents that build on the overall design will create connections to other areas in the house and the outdoors.

For this project, the addition of a new porch and a reshuffle of spaces allowed designer Rabun Martin to create a spacious new kitchen to replace a rather cramped workspace, finished in dark wood. The owners had asked for a light, rustic aesthetic, with some masculine notes and a connection to nature, says Martin.

"To an extent, the backsplash led the design. The mosaic glass we selected has the look of a frozen river it's a watery look that is in keeping with the home's lakeside setting. Multi-hued Minsk granite for the countertops adds to the effect. Both surfaces stand out against the whitewashed, distressed finish on the cabinetry, walls and ceiling, giving the kitchen its rustic, New England style.

"We balanced the mainly white finishes with some more masculine accents, such as the exposed beams, the copper-bronze rope hardware, a wood and iron chandelier and the sideboard."

Martin designed the white-painted wood custom hood with vertical strips and corner details that have the appearance of copper or iron. The wrought iron detailing on the sideboard is another masculine inclusion.

To enhance the country-style ambiance, most appliances are integrated behind two large maple wood doors with crisscross detailing, which was the result of a collaboration between the cabinetmaker and the designer.

As well as opening a wall to better connect kitchen and dining areas, Rabun Martin raised the ceiling in the living area.

"This adds to the light-filled aesthetic and helps showcase the kitchen within its niche when viewed from the living spaces," she says.

Story by: Charles Moxham