The Heart of The Home
The Kitchen.
I love to cook. I have always been fascinated by food, and would watch The Food Network all the time as a kid. I watched Ina and Giada make these beautiful themed meals, and even at ten years old, I couldn’t wait to have my own kitchen so I could be just like them. I loved the idea of making something delicious, inviting people over, and enjoying it together. As I got older, I was able to connect with friends through cooking, usually in a parent’s kitchen or poorly stocked college apartment. The differences in every kitchen always fascinated me, from the tools being used to the food being made (hello microplane and nutritional yeast). And each experience has changed me.
I think that kitchens might be the most revealing room in the home. They have many layers. They have their outward appearance (colors, countertops, finishes, appliances, etc.), their interiors (the tools in the drawers and the food in the pantry), and their products (the meals that are created inside them). And each of those things is chosen, used, and consumed by the people that live inside. It’s called the heart of the home, but maybe it’s more than that? Maybe it’s the soul?
When we started designing our home, I sifted through memories I had that took place in kitchens. Family dinners, conversations held while washing dishes, dance parties around a kitchen island. It’s the place that people congregate during parties. It’s the room that tough conversations happen in over a glass of wine or a half empty bowl of chips. It’s where you teach your kids to feed themselves. Where your efforts result in either instant satisfaction or terrible disaster. I took all these memories and started making lists.
In terms of function, we knew we wanted these things:
A large sink for washing dishes, and a prep sink on the island for washing 1,000 berries.
Appliances that were as beautiful as they were effective.
Durable countertops.
Tons of storage (and a solution for the kitchen aid mixer that weighs as much as a small child).
Enough space to comfortable walk past the dishwasher or fridge when it is opened.
A large island with seating on one side, and storage/appliances on the other.
An organized pantry.
A pot filler.
A breakfast nook.
A coffee/booze bar combo.
In terms of decoration, we knew we wanted these things:
Stone back splash.
English inspired cabinetry, and a kitchen island that feels like a piece of furniture.
Brass hardware.
A range hood that had a rustic wood trim detail that tied into the wood mantle across from it.
An antique-inspired custom hutch that would work as a coffee/booze bar.
So we started sourcing the big things. We knew we wanted to find a local woodworker that could make our breakfast nook and hutch, as well as a few other custom pieces around the house. Serendipitously, I came across Cameron with Sturdy Bones Woodworking, and after meeting with him, he agreed to work on our project with us. Cameron is so knowledgeable and passionate about what he does, we can’t wait for him to get to work.
After that, we took our plans and shopped around for cabinetry. We got a few different bids, and ultimately decided to work with Packard Cabinetry. Beck, who works at the Mebane showroom, is so calm, sincere, and funny, and working with him has been so fun. He really understands our vision and makes suggestions that are thoughtful and inspirational.
And then we started sourcing all the other bits. Appliances, plumbing fixtures, stone veneer, countertop, lighting, paint color and hardware. We made a spreadsheet to compile it all collect pricing. I used all the inspiration images as a guiding light, and starting pulling things together to make a collage. Here is the design collage I made for the kitchen.
Here are some of the selections we have made as well. Each image has a link to the product if you want to learn more about it.
There are still a few things to finalize, like hardware for one, but this is what we have so far. Sometimes your selection goes out of stock, and you have to pivot. Sometimes you look at a light fixture a few days later and think, that’s not quite right.
I can’t wait to see it all come together. We’re waiting on a few more permits to be approved, so we still don’t know when we will be able to break ground. Sean is currently at the property clearing trees for the septic system to be installed. His endless knowledge and work ethic are really something else. Love that guy.
Now I’m off to go roast a chicken for dinner. Hopefully it feeds my family’s soul as much as it feeds mine to make it.
