18 Foot Island Kitchen

An extensive renovation of a historic home kitchen with an 18 foot island kitchen yields dramatic results.

The Salie House is one of over thirty Spanish Revival homes located in the historic Hollywood section of Homewood, Alabama. When the owners of this 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival home embarked on a two year extensive remodeling project no detail was overlooked. The original historic home kitchen was a true servant’s kitchen — meaning within hiking distance to the main living areas.  The new kitchen is part of an addition that blends seamlessly with the original home.  And the style is both beautiful and impressive. The kitchen centers on an eighteen foot long custom island with a three-inch thick reclaimed walnut top. This doubles as an informal eating area with seating for six.

Above the island, a custom copper and wire-glass skylight adds natural light to the somehwat dark space. The skylight features a practical interior trough, so if there is ever a leak water will be diverted outside.  This construction photo shows additional windows in the kitchen addition — a soapstone sink was designed to go under the double window.

The homeowners chose a European range — a Lacanche Sully 2200 in a black finish with un-lacquered brass handles.  The raw brass is repeated throughout the home.  One reason the owner went this route was so he could specify the exact location of each burner and exact BTUs — Lacanche ranges can be customized by the owners.  The range features six burners, a wok burner, deep fryer and grill.  Commercial grade griddle plates fit over the burners.  An electric oven, a gas oven, warming and storage cupboards are down below.  The order process took approximately seven months to delivery.  The stunning custom iron hood canopy, with its Moorish arch, is a work of art, but doesn’t overshadow the kitchen.  It has brass rivets and a worn pewter finish and a pot filler faucet set high to accommodate large, tall pots.
Custom terra cotta brick-shape tiles in a herringbone pattern cover the back and sides of the range niche. A continuos shelf runs the length of the range, keeping cooking utensils handy. x

Hidden in the walnut cabinetry are two dishwashers, a bar, bar fridge with ice maker, freezer drawers, microwave and two televisions.  The Miele integrated coffee system is in the corner cabinet at counter level.  Counters and sink on the window wall are soapstone. Interior wood windows frames throughout the house are painted dark brown.

Polished and recently re-tinned pieces comprise the homeowner’s extensive collection of copper cookware. He spent weeks measuring, taking inventory and planning storage, including drawers, to maximize the island’s potential.

A commercial Traulsen pass-thru refrigerator unit is accessible from the kitchen and from this pantry area directly behind it. In the pantry, a farmhouse sink with deck mounted faucet rests on a simple wooden leg console. The pantry and kitchen floors are custom terra cotta lantern-shape tiles in two alternating sizes that were stained several times and sealed.  The walls and pantry ceiling are wrapped in horizontal wooden planks.

Future projects include a fourteen-foot iron pot rack above the island.

(Sources: 11 Bonita, Dungan Nequette)

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For more of this house see Salie House China Room and Timeless Modern Master Bath