What happens when a husband and wife team up to build a dream home in Westport, CT and want to add a focal point that expresses their passion for diving? Naturally you bring the ocean into the home and of course you'd want it to be in the room that families spent most of their time in, the kitchen and the family room
The dividing wall between the kitchen and the family room presented the perfect location to enjoy on a daily basis a 3 sided custom built 6 foot aquarium. Once the decision was made it immediately became the theme of the room. The clients wanted an earthy ,organic feel to the kitchen without going too modern with the cabinetry or finishes.
The house is a gorgeous shingle style somewhat transitional exterior design with a fairly classic interior. The cabinetry couldn't be too dark or too light.
One of the tricks with this kitchen was to compliment the salt water tank and its vibrant colored little specimens without taking away from it. While theres no second guessing the focal point of the kitchen, I wanted the other finishes to gently blend in.
The wood cabinetry and millwork was skillfully installed from floor to ceiling and wrapped gracefully from the kitchen into the family room. This made it naturally feel like one room as the fish tank could be seen from three sides and the cabinetry continued into the family took with a bow front dry bar on one side and paneled walls on the other making the fish tank appear flush built in on both side.
Viking appliances were specified for the majority of the appliances with the addition of Subzero refrigerator dwrs in another part of the kitchen for the kids drinks and snacks.
I selected Verdi Karzi granite for the countertop because I just loved how the natural variation of the blues and greens complimented the aquarium but really became its owns star in the kitchen. This particularly pretty piece we selected had a hint of pistachio green which gave it alot of character as well as a beautiful chestnut color marbling thruout in a very subtle way. The chestnut was a very nice tie in with the Alder stained custom cabinetry.
Because of the height of the kitchen cabinetry and the relationship of the fish tank we chose a very classic style inset beaded frame with a flat panel door without any heavy moldings or trim detail. Again a nod to the transitional nature of the house and not wanting the inset cabinetry to feel too formal or traditional
I knew I wanted to draw the eye into the kitchen with another beautiful but subtle material. It was natural that the hood area would became my second focal point after completing the layout of the space.
I think the materials and design of the hood area turned out to be the perfect compliment to the fish tank with out stealing the show.
I chose a stunning, somewhat modern feeling 2 tone antique brass hood from Rangecraft Hoods to sit between the Alder cabinetry.
I selected this style hood with the stack because I knew I wanted the tile to go up the entire wall and surround the hood to feel as if it was floating in water. This particular finish from Rangecraft, although antique brass really takes on the look of bronze which was such a nice compliment to the wood.
The iridescent tiles with its basket weave design gave it some much needed dimension again makes it feel like water.
The massive "L" shaped island housed a second sink in back of the range for prep, a second dishwasher and a second microwave for the kids and busy nights. ALso integrated into the island was a custom Alder matching countertop for an eat up area to seat 4 kids.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a young table where the family eats together.
Near the kitchen and directly off the formal Dining Room, I designed a very functional butlers pantry, sans the butler. In it we housed a Subzero full height wine refrigerator, a bronze colored copper sink and faucet and an extra dishwasher so dishes need not be carried to the kitchen.
I used a custom cabinet painted in a light buttercream color with a very soft brown glaze. The cabinetry was complimented by honey onyx countertops and a honey onyx diamond pattern backsplash along with an arched amber color glass tile border to just suggest a hint of coordination of the copper sink.
All in all, a fabulous house, wonderful clients and a very special kitchen and family room space that speaks to the clients lifestyle and personal interests.