Traditional white kitchen in Hamptons with long island, Carrara marble countertop

Childhood memories impact on many areas of our lives they even influence the decisions we make about where and how we want to live.

For the owners of this vacation home in the Hamptons, nostalgia played a big role in the design of their new kitchen, says architect Erica Broberg Smith.

"One of the owners had spent her childhood enjoying holidays on a grand family estate in East Hampton, which had an authentic 1920s kitchen. That home inspired the traditional look of this kitchen, which replaces a much smaller, very cramped, claustrophobic room."

To gain more space, the house was extended, with the remodel introducing a soaring gabled ceiling that features traditional white-painted boards.

"We added white collar ties to give the room a sense of scale and intimacy," says Broberg Smith. "And the end gable has a large arched window, which adds a little femininity and brings in plenty of light."

The owners' love of entertaining was another key influence in the design.

The kitchen needed to provide for formal and informal entertaining, so there are two clean-up stations one by the window and one on the island. The large size of the 12ft-long island also makes it easy for more than one person to work in the kitchen at the same time. And a separate bar area ensures drinks can be made outside of the main work space.

In keeping with the classical look, the lacquered cabinets feature panel doors that are recessed with a bead trim. There are also tilt bins for storing vegetables. The bins have punched tin panels in a custom pattern that replicates the daisy motif of the red upholstery fabric in the kitchen.

Broberg Smith says the kitchen has a simple, flowing layout that works well for the family and their entertaining needs.

"We incorporated a small home office, which we call the Mom command center', and a new mud room with additional pantry storage. We also introduced banquette seating around a breakfast table. This has storage space beneath, and there is a large TV opposite for family use."

Story by: Trendsideas