Glamour plus

Greta Garbo, Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich there was a glamour to Hollywood in the 1930s that makes the decade particularly memorable. But the glamour wasn't restricted to the silver screen. It was also a key interior design influence.

In designing this kitchen in a period home in New Jersey, Antoinette Fraser of St Clair Kitchen and Home took her cue from that era.

"The owners already had a collection of Barbara Barry Baker furniture in that 1930s style," Fraser says. "This provided the inspiration for a glamorous 1930s Hollywood look. The rich chocolate and white palette, for example, is highly evocative of this era."

Fraser says the original kitchen was enlarged by removing a wall between the kitchen and a home office. To conceal the new steel beams, the designer created a distinctive coffered ceiling. This works with the overall design and fits with the architectural look that is a signature of Fraser's work.

The architectural influence can also be seen in the design of the island, which features classically styled corner posts.

"Rather than go with the trend for a dark island and white perimeter cabinetry, we chose to reverse the look. We color-matched the Baker furniture's Java stain for the perimeter cabinets. White-painted maple on the upper cabinets provides a bold contrast and accentuates the owners' bone china collection.

The cabinets are paired with white Calacatta Gold marble countertops, which enhance the sense of luxury.

St Clair Kitchen and Home not only designs kitchens the company also manufactures the cabinetry and oversees every step of the project.

For further information, contact St Clair Kitchen and Home, 110A Valley St, South Orange, NJ 07079, phone (973) 762 9500. Website: saintclairhome.com

Story by: Trendsideas