beautiful kitchens & baths summer

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1 Country Grandeur Layers of color and texture achieve a homey Italian farmhouse feel in this New Jersey kitchen. writer and field editor jorge s. arango photos john bessler

2 A limestone floor sets the Italian country tone. Identical millwork on both sides of the range conceals a full refrigerator on the left and a pantry and two freezer drawers on the right. beautiful kitchens & baths summer

3 Staying at an Italian countryside estate inspired Amy and Shaun Wildt to rejuvenate the cramped galley kitchen in their 1929 New Jersey home. An addition gave them much more space to apply the old-world vibe. We started the remodel from the floor up, Shaun says. Limestone, a dominant feature of the couple s vacation house, covers the new floor in irregularly sized tiles. The floor gives the kitchen a cozy farmhouse feel, Shaun says. To create contrast with the light, rough-hewn stone, kitchen designer Heidi Piron suggested various color palettes for the perimeter cabinetry. To her happy surprise, the couple gravitated toward a bold selection a deep blue finish, glazed and crackled to convey a timeworn charm. Piron worked with architect Arturo Palombo to address the Wildts request for a practical design. Shaun, an avid cook who often prepares food for a crowd, wanted a six-burner stove that could handle food prep for a large group and an industrial-style spray faucet for easy cleanup after gatherings. He also needed enough space to prepare meals without getting in the way of his guests and without his guests getting in the way of his cooking. The designer and architect answered with an 11-foot-long distressed cherrywood island packed with storage and perfect for gathering, prepping, and entertaining. Topping the island with warm wood enhanced the Tuscan ambience and provided a seamless work space. To complete the look they used a mix of antiqued-pewter and weathered-bronze hardware, a leather-finish granite perimeter countertop, and a white backsplash punctuated with hand-painted blue tiles. The layering of patterns, textures, and colors creates a rustic but sophisticated look. It s laid out so well, Amy says. Everything is where it should be. Yet no one element attracts undue attention; they all work together as a harmonious whole, almost matching the tranquillity and warmth of the couple s inspirational Italian getaway almost. Resources Begin On Page 122. Below: Hand-painted tiles are scattered throughout the backsplash to impart a rustic, handcrafted look. Opposite: Two rows of windows let in plenty of natural light. A series of Roman shades adds a soft touch. The industrial-style spray faucet makes cleanup a breeze. 62 beautiful kitchens & baths summer 2013

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6 We started the remodel from the floor up. The floor gives the kitchen a cozy farmhouse feel. Shaun Wildt homeowner Designer INSIGHTS Choosing Colored Cabinetry Color can lift your mood, add design interest, and convey personality, kitchen designer Heidi Piron says. Here are some things to consider when making your choice: Use what you love. Pick a color you re naturally drawn to, keeping in mind livability over time. If your favorite color is bright, consider a muted shade for example, butter instead of sunflower or celery instead of neon green. Find a finish for any style. Modern kitchens are served well by solid-color, high-gloss lacquer cabinetry finishes. Traditional kitchens benefit from finishes with depth and texture: antiqued, distressed, or glazed. Opposite: Now used for casual dining, the long, narrow table once functioned as a trading table in homeowner Shaun Wildt s oil brokerage firm. Built-in seating and nooks have a distinct old-world appeal. Above: The island sink boasts a mosaic pattern that lends an artisanal air. Weathered-bronze fixtures appear comfortably aged. Top right: The large lanterns over the island were chosen for their proportion and country aesthetic. Top, far right: A leathered finish on the granite countertop adds timeworn warmth and hides spills and fingerprints. Above right: Layered glazes, which include shades of red, blue, and black, enhance the cabinetry s architectural details. Right: The island s cherry cabinetry is distressed to give it a hand-built, antique look. BHG.com/KitchenBath Select a suitable material. Choose a material that suits your style. Painted wood looks warm in a traditional kitchen. For a contemporary kitchen, explore adding color in other materials such as glass, beautifully figured woods, or metal accents. beautiful kitchens & baths summer