Kitchen Showcase: Elements of Style
From the outside, this Lake Sunapee-area home has a traditional New England feel; inside, the owners created a modern, open aesthetic. The exception was the kitchen, where an update was needed. Eager for the house to have a cohesive feel, they approached Annie Ballin of Annie Ballin & Company, in New London, to redesign this important space.
The kitchen flows into the living area, which is done in pale hues and features a wall of glass that opens onto the patio. Because both spaces enjoy abundant natural light, Ballin felt confident bringing darker tones into the kitchen through the island and cabinets, which are finished with a proprietary veneer. The large, custom range hood is made of similarly dark zinc and banded with cherry; it blends seamlessly with the adjacent cabinets, making a bold statement. “At the far end of the living space, the fireplace has a dark surround, which is a focal point,” explains Ballin. “The kitchen needed a focal point to balance that, and the range hood does this.”
A large island provides storage and includes a sink, thus creating additional work space so two can comfortably prep meals at the same time. Its location opposite the bar also makes it a convenient spot for organizing drinks. The island itself is stunning, with a white porcelain countertop at one end and a slightly raised, custom-carved cherry top at the other. “The cherry feature echoes the wood in the bar counter and invites guests to sit and relax with a beverage or food, whereas the marble section is more work oriented,” says Ballin.
Paneling conceals the refrigerator and dishwasher, while the island holds the microwave and other smaller appliances. In addition to the main sink and the island sink, there is a sink at the bar, which also has its own refrigerator.
Ballin brought in Susan Booth of Vintage Kitchens, in Concord, for additional expertise. One standout collaboration is the bar — a statement piece that is wrapped in red leather, with dark leather covering the bar shelves. Mirrored glass behind the bottles and strategic lighting make it a dramatic focal point, day or night.
Both Ballin and Booth were keen to use texture throughout the kitchen in order to create a modern look with a definite “wow” factor. “The island is wrapped in black zinc bands that echo the hardware on the cabinets as well as the metal in the chair legs and the pendant lights,” says Booth. “It’s also a nod to the open, wrought iron staircase found in the next room.”
The pale beige tiles of the backsplash are a perfect counterpoint to the dark wood and pick up the hues of the blended oak floor. The tiles are textured and set in a connected wave pattern, adding yet another dynamic layer to the room.
The selective applications of wood, leather, glass, tile and metal combine to create a kitchen rich in sensory experiences as well as efficiency. “This kitchen is full of nuances,” says Ballin. “People are intrigued by all the details. It was a delight to create something so special.”
