Tuscan Travels Inspire a Granite Outdoor Kitchen in Maine
Serving up gourmet pizza and big views, this stone-laden cooking and entertaining space can cater to a crowd
Becky Harris
March 16, 2013
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
If there's one thing midcoast Maine and Tuscany have in common, it's rugged beauty. In Tuscany ruggedness comes from fieldstone villas, weathered timbers and aged bricks; in Maine it comes from the forests, sublime coastline and jagged granite outcroppings. So perhaps a Tuscany-inspired outdoor kitchen in the tony town of Camden, Maine, is not such a stretch.
When this couple came back from a trip to Italy, they were raring to install an outdoor kitchen where they could cook, entertain their friends and share their spectacular views of the Camden Hills. A main priority was a pizza oven, which they researched and learned how to use while in Italy. The new kitchen is adjacent to a new library building across from the main house. Here's a look at how pizza ovens, large hunks of granite, herbs and custom cabinets mix it up with high Mainer style.
Project at a Glance
Who lives here: This is an outdoor kitchen for a couple.
Location: Camden, Maine
Size: About 600 square feet
When this couple came back from a trip to Italy, they were raring to install an outdoor kitchen where they could cook, entertain their friends and share their spectacular views of the Camden Hills. A main priority was a pizza oven, which they researched and learned how to use while in Italy. The new kitchen is adjacent to a new library building across from the main house. Here's a look at how pizza ovens, large hunks of granite, herbs and custom cabinets mix it up with high Mainer style.
Project at a Glance
Who lives here: This is an outdoor kitchen for a couple.
Location: Camden, Maine
Size: About 600 square feet
Now this is a true granite kitchen. Tons of locally quarried stone comprise this outdoor space, from the walls that hold it up to the kitchen sink. Craftspeople at local company Freshwater Stone completed all of the custom stonework for the project.
"The design of the outdoor kitchen was driven by the client," says interior designer Deborah Chatfield. "They are foodies, and they traveled to Italy to learn about outdoor pizza ovens and took classes on how to use them."
In addition to the cedar roof overhead, this loggia has infrared heaters and a fireplace to keep everyone warm. It is also wired for speakers.
In addition to the cedar roof overhead, this loggia has infrared heaters and a fireplace to keep everyone warm. It is also wired for speakers.
The appliances are tucked away to the left of the fireplace and pizza oven. "As a designer I really have to listen to the client and how they use their space," Chatfield says. In this case the plumbing allowances determined a lot of the kitchen's setup.
The grill is a Hybrid Fire Grill from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, and its vent is camouflaged by custom cabinetry.The cedar cabinets were made by another local craftsman, Ezra Howell of E.H. Fortner Woodworking.
The grill is a Hybrid Fire Grill from Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, and its vent is camouflaged by custom cabinetry.The cedar cabinets were made by another local craftsman, Ezra Howell of E.H. Fortner Woodworking.
"Freshwater Stone milled this sink from one piece of granite to blend in rather than distract from the overall aesthetic," Chatfield says.
"The clients wanted the terrace to have a Tuscan feel even though the structure is modern; we achieved that by paying attention to detail," Chatfield describes. "The overhead lighting is by Holly Hunt, and I felt the shape lent itself to Tuscan."
This custom-made cherry picnic table was a collaborative effort between the client, Chatfield and Howell. It can seat up to 20 people for casual outdoor gatherings.
This custom-made cherry picnic table was a collaborative effort between the client, Chatfield and Howell. It can seat up to 20 people for casual outdoor gatherings.
The doorway to the right of the fireplace (previous photo) is an entrance to the library (this photo), which houses books and objects from all over the world.
The homeowners already had this lion's head fountain and wanted to incorporate it into the project. "The architect placed it there as a bridge to walk across to get to the gardens," Chatfield says. "It can be heard from the outdoor terrace."
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