Natalie Jonas

Susan Googe SGooge photography

Product: Authentic Limestone BBQ layouts for Patio Grills. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' space design as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates in 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional modern kitchen with all its highly customized amenities while disguising it into an old Mediterranean collaged stone pile. The ease and cosiness of this outdoor Mediterranean cooking experience will evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that on only gets while being surrounded with the pristine beauty of nature. This powerful feeling of unison with all has been known in our early recorded human history thought many primitive civilizations as a way to get people closer to the ultimate truth. A very basic but undisputed truth and that's that we are all connected to the great mother earth and to it's powerful life force that we are all a part of...

As we did not have room for a full size pantry, we created this tall cabinet that houses a large array of daily pantry items. The cabinet below has three roll outs and stores more pantry items. Kate Falconer Photography

Curtis and Peggy had been thinking of a kitchen remodel for quite some time, but they knew their house would have a unique set of challenges. Their older Victorian house was built in 1891. The kitchen cabinetry was original, and they wanted to keep the authenticity of their period home while adding modern comforts that would improve their quality of life. A friend recommended Advance Design Studio for their exceptional experience and quality of work. After meeting with designer Michelle Lecinski at Advance Design, they were confident they could partner with Advance to accomplish the unique kitchen renovation they’d been talking about for years. “We wanted to do the kitchen for a long, long time,” Curtis said. “(We asked ourselves) what are we actually going to do? How are we going to do this? And who are we going to find to do exactly what we want?” The goal for the project was to keep the home renovation and new kitchen feeling authentic to the time in which it was built. They desperately wanted the modern comforts that come with a larger refrigerator and the dishwasher that they never had! The old home was also a bit drafty so adding a fireplace, wall insulation and new windows became a priority. They very much wanted to create a comfortable hearth room adjacent to the kitchen, complete with old world brick. The original cabinetry had to go to make way for beautiful new kitchen cabinetry that appears as if it was a hundred years old, but with all the benefits of cutting-edge storage, self-closing drawers, and a brand-new look. “We just wanted to keep it old looking, but with some modern updates,” Peggy said. Dura Supreme Highland Cabinets with a Heritage Old World Painted Finish replaced the original 1891 cabinets. The hand-applied careful rubbed-off detailing makes these exquisite cabinets look as if they came from a far-gone era. Despite the small size of the kitchen, Peggy, Curtis and Michelle utilized every inch with custom cabinet sizes to increase storage capacity. The custom cabinets allowed for the addition of a 24” Fisher Paykel dishwasher with a concealing Dura Supreme door panel. Michelle was also able to work into the new design a larger 30” Fisher Paykel French refrigerator. “We made every ¼ inch count in this small space,” designer Michelle said. “Having the ability to custom size the cabinetry was the only way to achieve this.” “The kitchen essentially was designed around the Heartland Vintage range and oven,” says Michelle. A classic appliance that combines nostalgic beauty and craftsmanship for modern cooking, with nickel plated trim and elegantly shaped handles and legs; the not to miss range is a striking focal point of the entire room and an engaging conversation piece. Granite countertops in Kodiak Satin with subtle veining kept with the old-world style. The delicate porcelain La Vie Crackle Sonoma tile kitchen backsplash compliments the home’s style perfectly. A handcrafted passthrough designed to show off Peggy’s fine china was custom built by project carpenters Justin Davis and Jeff Dallain to physically and visually open the space. Additional storage was created in the custom panty room with Latte Edinburg cabinets, hand-made weathered wood shelving with authentic black iron brackets, and an intricate tin copper ceiling. Peggy and Curtis loved the idea of adding a Vermont stove to make the hearth-room not only functional, but a truly beckoning place to be. A stunning Bordeaux red Vermont Castings Stove with crisp black ventilation was chosen and combined with the authentic reclaimed Chicago brick wall. Advance’s talented carpenters custom-built elegant weathered shelves to house family memorabilia, installed carefully chosen barn sconces, and made the hearth room an inviting place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. “Peggy and Curtis’ project was so much fun to work on. Creating a space that looks and feels like it always belonged in this beautiful old Victorian home is a designer’s dream. To see the delight in their faces when they saw the design details coming together truly made it worth the time and effort that went into making the very compact kitchen space work”, said Michelle. “The result is an amazing custom kitchen, packed with functionality in every inch, nook and cranny!” exclaims Michelle. The renovation didn’t end with the kitchen. New Pella windows were added to help lessen the drafts. The removal of the original windows and trim necessitated the re-creation of hand-made corbels and trim details no longer available today. The talented carpenter team came to the rescue, crafting new pieces and masterfully finishing them as if they were always there. New custom gutters were formed and installed with a front entry rework necessary to accommodate the changes. The whole house functions better, but it still feels like the original 1891 home. “From start to finish it’s just a much better space than we used to have,” Peggy said. “Jeff and Justin were amazing.” Curtis added; “We were lucky to find Advance Design, because they really came through for us. I loved that they had everything in house, anything you needed to have done, they could do it”.

Robbin Stancliff Photography. Restaurant Inspired, Residential Comfort Kitchen. Commercial Appliances in Drylac powder coating for a "greener finish". Cookies and Cream Granite Counters. Stained and Distressed Alder Cabinets. Sage Painted Alder Island. Coffee Station. 3 x 6 sage colored backsplash. Cream/ Rust/ Grey Green SlimCoat Concrete Flooring.

This renovation was for a family whose Kitchen is the heart of the home. The project goals were to create a warm, inviting space, comfortable for entertaining and every day use. Highlights of the Kitchen include the custom copper range hood and copper backsplash, beautiful distressed cream cabinetry and a built-in banquette overlooking the Magothy River. Photography: Michael McLaughlin

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The kitchen is splendid with knotty alder custom cabinets, handmade peeled bark legs were crafted to support the chiseled edge granite. Barstools from Old Hickory, also with peeled bark frames are upholstered in a casual red and gold fabric back with brown leather seats. Designed by Melodie Durham of Durham Designs & Consulting, LLC. Photo by Livengood Photographs [www.livengoodphotographs.com/design].

kaskel photo

Reclaimed Patina Oak Cabinets. Home custom built by Ron Waldner Signature Homes.

Photography: Landmark Photography

Photos by Robin Amorello, CKD CAPS

This beautiful shaker home would sit comfortably on many sites, particularly those with a view. The main floor offers a wide variety of inviting areas to gather, including a large combined kitchen, dining, and living area, a cozy hearth room, and an expansive deck off the back of the house. Two separate upper levels provide space for sleeping, the quarters above the garage acting as a guest apartment. Extra bunk beds, billiards, seating areas and access to more outdoor living can be found on the lower level, making entertaining easy.

AFTER: Taken from the living room and looking through where the counter-to-ceiling wall used to separate the kitchen and living room. A large granite counter with a 48" round "table" at the end now replaces the tiny eating area, comfortably seating 4. The table part of the counter is supported by a re-purposed, intricately carved wood table base originally topped by a glass table top. The desk area at the left side of the back wall was demolished and the back counter and cabinets now extend all the way to the window wall, allowing for more kitchen storage. The laminate cabinets were replaced with glazed wood cabinets. The floors (previously tile and carpet) throughout this level of the home were replaced with hand-scraped Acacia wood.

Blue Bell Kitchens