Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: Country Chic With a Welcoming Charm
Limestone floors, paneled appliances and reclaimed beams on the ceiling bring timeless appeal to this Manhattan kitchen
The previous kitchen had ceiling soffits of varying heights containing antiquated heating and cooling ductwork that made the space feel closed in. The design team started by removing the bulky soffits and tucking today’s more streamlined HVAC technology into the ceiling. They also gained more storage in the process, as the higher ceilings allowed for the installation of taller cabinets.
Paint on cabinets: Royal Silk, Benjamin Moore
Paint on cabinets: Royal Silk, Benjamin Moore
If there was one wish-list item that kicked off the whole design, it was the stainless steel Lacanche range. The designer and the homeowners had been influenced by the book The Welcoming House by Circa Interiors & Antiques, which features several kitchens with Lacanche ranges. “That visual stimulation really drove home the idea of incorporating a classic range into the design,” Leamann says.
Hand-painted terra-cotta tiles on the backsplash add a dash of color to the cream-toned space. The kitchen and breakfast area feature limestone tile floors laid out in a Versailles pattern.
Hand-painted terra-cotta tiles on the backsplash add a dash of color to the cream-toned space. The kitchen and breakfast area feature limestone tile floors laid out in a Versailles pattern.
A wall of custom cabinets to the right of the range houses a microwave drawer and a separate Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer hidden behind panels. Integrated dishwashers flank the sink, and two refrigerator drawers built into the island allow guests in the breakfast room easy access to beverages. The only appliance left visible is the Lacanche range, the centerpiece of the room.
Previously, a wall divided the breakfast area from the kitchen. One column from the old wall had to remain for structural integrity; it is now covered in decorative paneling. The other would-be column now houses the TV and bookshelves to become a more functional decorative element.
A round-table discussion among architect, designer and homeowners yielded the idea of bringing in hand-hewed beams from a farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for the ceiling. They are intended to look as though they could have been a part of the original structure built in 1920.
Wine cooler: Monogram, GE
A round-table discussion among architect, designer and homeowners yielded the idea of bringing in hand-hewed beams from a farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, for the ceiling. They are intended to look as though they could have been a part of the original structure built in 1920.
Wine cooler: Monogram, GE
The kitchen is flush with custom storage. Here, we see a pullout pocket shelf for spices.
The countertops are Crema marble in a leathered finish.
The countertops are Crema marble in a leathered finish.
After the homeowners saw the polished nickel Perrin & Rowe gooseneck faucet that Leamann has in her own kitchen, they requested it for their own. It makes an elegant statement with its classic styling and its separate hot and cold knobs and extendable spray nozzle.
Sink: Shaws Original via Rohl
Sink: Shaws Original via Rohl
Western-facing windows in the kitchen and breakfast area overlook the street below. Creating privacy from the sidewalk traffic was important, but they also wanted to retain natural light. A relaxed Roman shade in an embroidered paisley linen by Duralee allows full privacy when necessary, while an underlay of cafe sheers by Schumacher can be either drawn or pushed aside to allow for a range of lighting possibilities.
Browse more Kitchens of the Week
Browse more Kitchens of the Week
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A blended family
Location: Manhattan, New York
Size: 480 square feet (44.6 square meters)
Designers: Deborah Leamann (interior design) and Ike Kligerman Barkley (architecture)
“Open, inviting, beautiful and timeless” with a clean palette and plenty of storage — these were the defining characteristics of designer Deborah Leamann’s vision for the remodel of a family’s Manhattan kitchen. Built in 1920 for John D. Rockefeller, the condo had not been renovated since 1987. Shortly after purchasing the historic unit, the homeowners called upon their trusted longtime designer to assemble a winning team to create a stylish kitchen equally equipped for hosting fundraising galas and intimate dinners at home with their blended family.
Light fixture: Hudson Valley Lighting