Summer calling

With its fresh color palette and extra-large island, this kitchen in a new lakefront vacation home is all set for family entertaining

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A vacation home can teach us a lot about what's really important when it comes to kitchen design.

The kitchen-living areas in most vacation homes put the emphasis firmly on the family. Large islands are invariably gathering places where everyone lends a hand to help and the cook is never isolated.

This kitchen in a lakefront vacation house epitomizes such a family-friendly design, says designer Barbara Ince of Susan Fredman Design Group.

"For their vacation home, the owners wanted something very different from their Chicago house," Ince says. "Comfort was a priority, and it needed to be able to accommodate the couple and their four children, plus visiting friends and family.

"They wanted a relaxed, fun feel to the kitchen-living area, but didn't want to go overboard in terms of color."

Ince says the inspiration for the white and soft watery blue palette came from the lake, which can be seen from the kitchen. The design was also influenced by traditional beach house and farmhouse architecture.

"The five-panel cabinetry design references farmhouse furniture, but it is more clean lined. Similarly, the door pulls have that traditional farmhouse association, but the look has been modified."

Ince says the large 11ft x 6ft island, which has a Carrara marble top, was another key element of the design.

"The owners requested an enormous island where the whole family could congregate. Everything takes place on the island the food prep and serving, and casual dining."

The traditional look is enhanced by an integrated refrigerator and matching pantry doors flanking the cooking center. Chalkboard paint on the pantry doors provides a creative outlet for family members. The pantry includes a mini wet bar and a prep sink.

A backsplash featuring watery blue glass tiles adds a splash of color to the rear wall. The color is repeated in the furnishings, including a dining table and banquette seating in a bay window that overlooks the lake.

"The banquette seating was a way to ensure lots of people could sit around the table," says the designer.

In the main living area, large comfortable sofas are upholstered in a soft aqua-blue fabric that has a chenille look, not unlike beach towels.

Other key design features include wide plank flooring that reinforces the farmhouse ambiance. And a river rock fireplace surround features light-colored stone that's in keeping with the soft palette.