In praise of a bygone era

Design inspiration comes from many sources, but sometimes a single item can inspire an entire kitchen.

Such was the case with this kitchen, designed by Gail Drury CMKBD of the multi award-winning firm, Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio in Glen Ellyn, IL.

"The homeowner has a passion for antiques and wanted to incorporate as many as possible in her new kitchen," says Drury. "The antiques included a beautiful display cabinet, which she had purchased from The Right Stuff. The doors on this cabinet are the original windows from an old building in France. This piece set the tone for the rest of the kitchen. It also gave the family extra storage space."

Drury says the owner wanted an understated white color scheme for a soft traditional look.

"The kitchen was all about mixing the old with the new. The ceiling beams, for example, were made from reclaimed siding from a barn on a nearby farm, and the flooring features vintage distressed white oak boards."

To maximize a good view, the two existing windows either side of the mantle-style hood were replaced with larger ones. This meant there was less space for storage cabinets, so the designer brought the overhead cabinets down to the counter and created a narrow corner pantry.

Carrara marble tops and subway tiles add a refined simplicity to the design. There is also a butcher's block at the end of the island for further functionality.

The cabinets were built by The Grabill Cabinet Company an Indiana firm that has been handcrafting high-end kitchens and bathrooms for more than half a century. Drury says Grabill maintains its original values with respect to innovative engineering and quality construction.

For more information, or to visit the showroom, contact Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio, 512 N Main St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, phone (630) 469 4980. Website: www.drurydesigns.com.

Story by: Trendsideas