Tailored to Perfection
A young family’s dream kitchen is bestowed with expertly integrated cabinets and extraordinary custom touches
MEET THE HOMEOWNERS While the man of the house works as an adviser in medical revenue cycle management, the lady of the house—a former business owner—took time off to focus on their two young daughters. The couple chose to build a historically influenced home in Brookhaven with the help of Neely Design Associates, an architectural firm backed by a strong reputation for sound kitchen design.
THEIR STYLE The owners desired an eat-in kitchen that would be their family’s ultimate hub while establishing distinct separation from the more casual family room. For the interiors, they called upon designer Brian Watford to deliver a comfortable space that combined a mix of practical, yet stylish furnishings within a calming color palette.
FAVORITE FEATURE The lady of the house called for a secretary-style desk where she could pay bills, write letters and stash her laptop—then conceal it all at a moment’s notice. The man of the house is partial to his own custom cabinet—which acts as a convenient charging station for his cell phone as well as a nightly repository for personal items.
THEIR BEST ADVICE “Know exactly what you want up front, then select an architect or designer who will walk you through every step of the process,” says the owner. “We were very detailed. We allocated enough space and then got very specific about how we were going to use it. We even inventoried everything we had to help find a home for it in the new design, so we knew exactly what every cabinet was going to do.”
| Designer Insights |
| A PERFECT FIT With the help of builder Mark Hammersmith, associates Frank Neely and Christian Reed devised a walnut cutting board insert for the prep sink. When the sink is in use, the board fits neatly into a slot directly above; when not, it creates a continuous span of counter space
CLEAR VIEWS A retractable range hood delivers utility without detracting from the views into the family room. Meanwhile, a large window over the sink allows the cook to keep “constantly aware of the back yard,” notes Neely, while an arched window leading to the loggia also floods the kitchen with natural light. Forged-iron hardware on the windows is in keeping with the home’s Tudor influences. GATHER ’ROUND Interior designer Brian Watford opted to eschew the traditional wood table for something more industrial and durable. He found a zinc-topped option at Scott Antique Market that’s held up amazingly well to everyday use by the young girls. Its size and shape are exactly the right proportion for the space, softening the strong lines of the room. FINISHING TOUCHES Fixtures with an industrial feeling were chosen for their substantial look, but Watford went for a polished nickel finish to brighten the effect, “like a great piece of jewelry,” he says. Historic but streamlined hardware fits the theme while a classic farm sink is paired with a traditional, but not too country, faucet. INGENIOUS INNOVATION Making the most of the expansive space between the sink and windowsill, Neely built metal-lined drawers into the wall to accommodate everyday items such as soap and sponges, then tiled the entire backsplash so that the drawers virtually disappear. WHITE OUT Even with the vast expanse of cabinetry, expert integration helped this large room feel both airy and intimate. But it was the wash of white that kept the look simple. “Even with a lot of cabinet profiles, keeping it monolithic in color really simplifies a complicated room,” says Neely. The lightness also enhances the architectural shadow lines Neely executes so well. Dark wood ceiling beams break up the monochromatic look while creating continuity with the home’s Tudor style. |
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| Industrial-inspired Benson pendants from Restoration Hardware contribute lightness and balance to the room. Available through Restoration Hardware, 3393 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 3142, Atlanta 30326. (404) 240-2844; restorationhardware.com | A classic faucet from Perrin & Rowe adds understated polish to the workspace. rohlhome.com for showroom locations |
CUSTOM CABINETRY AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Frank Neely and Christian Reed, Neely Design Associates, 1447 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 844, Atlanta 30309. (404) 817-0807; neelydesign.com INTERIOR DESIGN Brian Watford, Brian Watford Interiors, 820 Piedmont Ave. NE, Suite 2, Atlanta 30308. (404) 898-0660; brianwatford.com BUILDER Mike Hammersmith, Mike Hammersmith General Contracting, (404) 351-5227 ICEMAKER Scotsman DISHWASHER Asko UNDERCOUNTER REFRIGERATOR U-Line ALL OTHER APPLIANCES Viking through Builder Specialties, 6582 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross 30071. (678) 317-0223; builderspecialties.net FAUCET Perrin & Rowe single lever with sidespray in polished nickel, through Rohl, rohlhome.com FARM SINK Shaw’s Original Farm Sink, 36” in white, through Rohl, rohlhome.com BACKSPLASH TILE Walker Zanger glossy Sumi-e Brick Glass Tile in Ohara Natural PERIMETER COUNTERTOPS Antiqued Absolute black granite through Stone Solutions of Atlanta, 1000 Eastside Dr., Marietta 30060. (404) 456-8274; forstone.com ISLAND COUNTERTOP Honed Calacuttu Gold marble, through Stone Solutions of Atlanta LIGHTING Restoration Hardware Benson Pendant in polished nickel BAR STOOLS Restoration Hardware Vintage Chair in tobacco wood and steel ZINC-TOP TABLE Scott Antique Market BALL SLIDE WINDOW HARDWARE Bronzed brass by David Lee, Century Woodwork Inc., 1581 Stone Ridge Dr., Stone Mountain 30083. (770) 939-4113; centurywoodwork.com
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