Design Confidently, Live Comfortably
| March/April 2005 A Change of Space Finding the Right Materials A meticulous restoration wasn’t our plan; we wanted to blend a vintage aesthetic with new function and convenience. In the interest of saving money, we looked at stock cabinets from the big box stores but decided we wouldn’t be happy with the quality. Even at pricier kitchen showrooms we saw poorly constructed cabinets made of particleboard and veneer. In the end, we hired a cabinetmaker; for us, nothing beats handcrafted solid-wood cabinets. Instead of going with a cherry or maple finish, though, we decided to paint them. That seemed to suit our humble farmhouse with its low ceilings and wide-plank floors. We did the sanding, painting, and glass installation ourselves to help offset costs.  Original details like the crown molding and beadboard on the china cabinet at right were duplicated in the new kitchen (left). The lavender interior of the china cabinet provides a nice contrast to the green walls and highlights the collection of white china. By painting the cabinets with brushes, we avoided the glossy commercial look that results from spray application. We painted all the cabinets a pale, pearly gray and the walls a rich, buttery yellow. This is the room where we drink our morning coffee and read the paper -- bright or dramatic colors didn’t seem appropriate for such a transitional time of day.  Real tongue and groove beadboard was used as the backsplash, as the backing in the glass-faced cabinets, and to hide a pipe in the corner of the kitchen. The beadboard back-splash adds charm at a fraction of the cost of marble, which was the homeowners’ first choice. For our countertops, we chose honed, matte Carrara marble. The folks at the local stone yards warned us against it because it stains easily, but we really wanted the soft glow of marble -- to us, it’s the hallmark of a simple but sophisticated country kitchen. We don’t mind having to seal the counters periodically and wipe up spills as they occur, to minimize staining. A little diligence is worth it for a material that grows more beautiful with age and is a central feature in our home. NEXT: New Uses for Old Things |
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PHOTOS EXCEPT WHERE NOTED: KAREN TANAKA |
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