Kitchen renovations often begin with shiny new appliances. But for homeowners in Dublin, the upgrade began with the desire to warm up the existing space and create a cozy, cottagey feel. The fact that they improved the flow for entertaining purposes was an added bonus. The renovation included the family room and mudroom as well, achieving the look they wanted with fresh colors, mixed metals and elegant architectural details. The homeowners also incorporated the ceiling, often overlooked in home improvement projects, adding visual interest with a stunning coffered look. Let their ideas inspire you.
“It was a beautiful transformation of space,” explains Bryce Jacob of remodeler J.S. Brown & Co. The home was built in 2000, so it was prime time for a makeover. The family had been kicking ideas around and knew they wanted to reconfigure the space. While the original kitchen was quite functional, there were wasted areas and a bit of a bottleneck to reach the back patio. The J.S. Brown team opened the kitchen to the family room by adding a second arched entry, then redesigned the eating area to provide improved access to the outdoor living area. The new refrigerator is recessed into the space formerly occupied by the walk-in pantry, and the mudroom was reconfigured to include a wall of cubbies.
While the new space doesn’t mimic a traditional kitchen work triangle, it reflects smart design choices that create a purposeful room and function well for this family. “I love to cook so the kitchen setup was a huge priority for me,” says the homeowner. “We have three college-aged boys and they all love to eat. We also entertain lots of family.”
Stone makes a statement
Jacob, who designed the kitchen, moved the original fireplace—he salvaged it and used it in the new design—and enlarged the opening, creating a circular traffic pattern. The timber beam above the fireplace mantel rests within dry-stacked natural stone, picking up the earthy feel and tone of the hardwood floors, and contributing to the cottagey feel.
Several mismatched window header heights were aligned and a series of architectural details were added to synchronize other lines throughout the rooms. Those details include the coffered ceilings and the gorgeous wall paneling that lends the family room a refined feel. “Before, the family room felt top heavy,” explains Jacob. “Now, the large chandelier pulls the height down but simultaneously draws your attention up so you see that beautiful ceiling with the cyberspace blue band.”
The coffers became a point of delineation throughout, and in the kitchen, the depth of the ceiling was dictated by the window over the sink, which barely grazes the ceiling but does not recess into the coffer, creating a tasteful look. Tumbled, glazed tile serves as the backsplash, and the fact that the tile wraps up to the ceiling creates a sense of grandeur.
Singing in blues
The overall style is clean, but the color choice is inspired, as the upper wall’s wash of brilliant blue was not something that the homeowners had in their original idea palette. But after collaborating with interior designer Brooke Jones and pouring over photos, the palette evolved to pleasing shades of blue, nicely offset by brass accents in the kitchen.
“I wanted something timeless and classic,” says the homeowner. “I can’t quite embrace the gray, monochromatic look. It’s not warm enough for me. So we settled on the blue.”
“There is still this affection for white kitchens and white cabinets,” adds Jacob. “So it’s nice when color is introduced.” And even nicer when there is a blending of metal materials, which is currently on trend. In this kitchen, we see said blending with the brushed brass accents set against the steel appliances. Together, they ensure that the space feels neither too warm nor too cold.
Another on-trend feature is two-toning. Many kitchens contrast the traditional two-toned black and white look, but by introducing more vibrant colors, such as the blues here, there is an added style element. “Imagine if the apothecary table and hood were all white; it would be very bland,” comments Jacob. “And the fabric on the stools matches the settee in the dining room, so there’s a nice carrying over of color throughout the home.”
The blues certainly create continuity, and this, along with the home’s many other inviting features, gave these homeowners the look they love—and a really incredible finished product.
RESOURCES Contractor J.S. Brown & Co., with kitchen design by Bryce Jacob, CR, UDCP; Interior design by Brooke Jones, Allied ASID; Cabinetry Daso Custom Cabinetry; Countertops Quartz, Konkus Marble & Granite; Backsplash Glazed Thin Brick, Fireclay Tile; Blanco sink with Kohler faucet Ferguson; Appliances Thermador dishwasher and oven, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Ferguson; Lighting Visual Comfort, Ferguson
Article by Lee Rhodes/Photos by Todd Yarrington
Article originally appeared in Housetrends Columbus – December 2019