A designer’s culinary work space, built to satisfy artistic aspirations as well as the needs of an active cook.
In this home in suburban Connecticut, a personal vision based on travels to France combined with a love for European furniture inspired a blockbuster kitchen with its own language of ideas and surfaces and – happily — a budget sufficient to transform the dream into reality. Chief among the many striking features is a complex steel and glass ceiling that resembles a greenhouse, an imposing black La Cornue range with hood to match, and an island styled like antique English furniture that houses a stainless steel prep sink and features a teak-wood top with tiered glass and polished nickel bistro shelves in the center.
Actually, the ceiling is patterned after the Passage Verdeau, one of Paris’ mid-19th century shopping arcades with a transparent roof that also functions as a skylight.
In reality, this most elegant ceiling projects up into attic space painted glossy white. Lit from above as well as below, it also lets in some natural light from attic windows. A mix of black-painted track lights and handsome hanging lanterns appear to be part of the ceiling structure.
White-painted perimeter cabinets have marble counters and include furniture details such as the plinth-style bases (instead of toe-kicks). Corner chest-on-chest cabinets seem especially refined. Just look at how those mirrored doors help reflect the light and provide a glimpse into the breakfast room!
The richness of the cabinetry comes from panels of burled walnut veneer banded by mahogany. Rather than being anchored into the reclaimed wood floor, it sits on fluted legs connected by half-moon stretchers.
This antique George III mahogany cabinet is a prototype for the cabinet style.
Deep drawers in the island include pegs that house Villeroy and Boch Petite Fleur china.
A polished copper backsplash adjacent to the paneled SubZero also helps reflect light in the kitchen. Both the refrigerator and freezer are fitted with Baldwin “Springfield” polished nickel exterior door pulls.
One wall of the breakfast room, adjacent to the kitchen, is devoted to a rustic hutch that houses a pair of U-Line refrigerator/freezer drawers concealed behind panels as well as two open sections on each side. One has basket storage and the other serves as a pet feeding station. The counter top is inset with black granite for durability. Black-painted, decorative wall shelves for dishes and mugs have a robust antique style. Their height above the dresser easily accommodates appliances.
A bar sink, with filtered water faucet, serves the breakfast bar. Plumbing is visible at the back of the sweet doggie space for Gracie.
(Source: tradhome, Apter Fredericks, google images)
Just wow and perfectly coordinated with puppy..
I love everything about this kitchen! I started saving pics to my inspiration file, but just ended up bookmarking the page, because the kitchen is so fabulous in it’s entirety. Thanks for sharing.
that ceiling! I have to admit I was disappointed it wasn’t a real glass ceiling. But what a concept!
Ok, the island is not really my style, but I love, love, love it and everything else in this kitchen… The breakfast area is too wonderful for words.
Actually, everything would stay but the bistro shelf. After I knocked it down and broke it all over, I’d be just as happy without it in the way.
What a gorgeous kitchen, Jane! Thank you for sharing it! The ceiling is fantastic but I just love the whole kitchen.
Haha Elaine, after you saw a display of your home baked pies and breads on that bistro shelf I think you might have a change of heart.
mb wife, it is actually a real glass ceiling. It just isn’t open to the outside — too hot I guess — though I would give anything for half that type of ceiling and would gladly pull fabric shades across it if necessary.
Oh my–what a cool kitchen! Totally not my preferred style, but I could adjust! Not only that ceiling, but the space, the cabinets (that wood!), I could deal with it!
One of my all-time favorite kitchens, and one of my inspiration pics for my range wall! I thought the backlit glass ceiling idea was so clever. Hadn’t seen the other side of the kitchen before–how beautiful! So glad you featured this one.
This kitchen is just loaded with super refined ideas. My favorite is the breakfast bar base.
That’s gotta be one of the best kitchens I have ever seen in my life! Unbelievable . . . and yet there it is. Right on the pages of AM. I love the bistro shelf! And, the bar sink!. And, of course the ceiling! (Although what puts this kitchen over the top, I’m sure, is Gracie!) :- Thanks so much, Jane, for these few moments of voyeuristic kitchen pleasure.