Those of us who live east of the Mississippi don’t see many contemporary ranch kitchens these days.
I adore the tongue-cheek style of the log cabin kitchen in the Designer Log Cabin. And I’m a huge fan of Weathered Wood Kitchen Islands. So was quite taken by the full-on wood looks of these contemporary ranch kitchens in upscale Wyoming and Montana ranch houses. Well equipped, but casual, they fit the definition of rustic in very special ways. Best of all, there isn’t a white cabinet in the bunch!
I have a special affection for light wood and yellow kitchens. This one [top] has a terrific mix of color and country. Basically it’s gray and yellow with wood tone accents. Vertical planked walls are painted yellow and, together with light from the high windows it manages to look very bright. The barn-style ceiling has beams braced with metal. Base cabinets, the paneled refrigerator and perimeter counters are the dark gray color of coal. A stainless steel range and dish drawers blend in. Butcher block is used on a long island lit by a trio of weathered brass lanterns suspended from high above. Two areas in this kitchen are especially interesting. First is the open shelving flanking the main sink where steel cables give the open shelves a heavy-equipment look. Eveb more interesting is the weathered pine upper cabinet next to the fridge. That has a section of open shelves that appears to separate the two doors. But a close look reveals barn-door hardware above the cabinet — those doors are sliders. A pair of Kohler Vinnata faucets on the two sinks (main and prep) show a conventional look compliments western style, too.
A handsome kitchen with gray weathered-pine cabinets has a soft elegance and polish. I’ve written in the past about the cross-buck or X railroad crossing motif used on kitchen islands. Here, it’s inverted into a diamond shape that suggests the kind of primitive cupboards that might be found in old barns. Even the Sub Zero is integrated in one of those.
An intricate concentric log ceiling with old supporting beams sets the tone for this elaborate kitchen with a wonderful mix of materials. Wood plank walls are cement-filled on one side. Boulders make the range niche look like a converted entrance to a mine shaft — albeit one with a pot filler. Island cabinets are stained dark — even darker than the floor and topped with stone in the sale color of old rust. A combination light fixture and pot rack is supported by chains. And modern lighting peeks out from between the old timbers.
Another log-ceiling-kitchen takes a dark turn. Except for butcher block used on the island, all the wood has java tones — nothing in this kitchen really stands out except the mood. Unlike most backsplashes, this one blends with the cabinets and the wrought iron triple pendant matches the vent hood, too. It’s not clear whether the shutters over the sink can be lowered to screen off the pass through area but it’s an interesting idea.
This same kitchen flips the notion of barstool seating outside the kitchen. So you can sit and chat while the dishes are done or just schmooze while actually staying out of the cook’s way.
(Source: onsite management, homemagz)
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