Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation
Old farmhouses are loaded with charm and lifestyles were different way back when. Kitchens were more utilitarian opposed to today where they are used as the hub of the home and main gathering place. When architects Louise Brooks and Vince Falotico of Brooks Falotico in New Canaan, Connecticut were given the challenge of designing this farmhouse kitchen renovation, they immediately determined that priority number one was to be sympathetic with the scale and detailing of the original Victorian era house.
The Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation Wish List
The main points that were addressed were how to keep the kitchen feeling small and living big. First, Louise and Vince determined overall guidelines. The cottage/farmhouse feeling would be reflected in the architectural detailing and materials chosen. In order to create key and useful storage, they extended the cabinetry almost all the way to the ceiling and designed a combination of different cabinets, drawers and hutch-like cabinets. Separate spaces to be included in the flow of this space were a butler’s pantry and a proper eat-in-kitchen dining area. Here is a list of tips, hints and ideas that inspire!
Keeping the scale and feeling of this Victorian farmhouse was a key objective
The ‘What’s Great’ Punch List
The stove top is flanked by mahogany counters giving it a traditional feeling
- The stove backsplash of Delft tiles plays into the country kitchen feeling they wanted to achieve.
- Two cabinets flank the hidden fan above the stove top camouflaging the hood.
- The spicket above the stove top provides water to fill pots at the stove.
- A spice cabinet is behind a door set in the interior cabinet in the stove top area.
The spice closet is hidden in the cabinetry near the stove top
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Granite was chosen for the center island where the sink is located and most food preparation occurs
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- The sink is in the granite top island which also serves as the main food prep area.
- The Gothic mullioned paned windows on the cabinet reflects the “X” pattern that is often repeated throughout stylizing this space.
- The coffered ceiling was added for style and detail but serves a main purpose of housing old farmhouse wiring and new duct work.
The cabinetry goes to the ceiling and is capped by deep molding, the height it creates gives the room a spacious feeling
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- The Gothic styled under-the-counter half window was included to admit extra light into this dark side of the room and add charm and detail.
- The pull out baskets set under the counter are perfect easy access for vegetables or daily linens.
- Mahogany counter tops puts the ‘country feeling’ in the kitchen.
The traditional Butler’s pantry is adjacent to the main cooking area of the kitchen
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The yellow is the only major pop of color in this kitchen renovation and was chosen because of the brightness in this otherwise dark space
The Butlers Pantry is in-between the kitchen and the formal dining room and:
- provides extra invaluable kitchen storage
- has an extra dishwasher
- a bar sink
- a bar under-the-counter refrigerator
The kitchen dining area is nestled into an alcove. The window seat banquet makes this small space functional and cozy This bump out was the only addition put onto the house in this renovation.
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Whether you are designing a new kitchen or looking for inspiration to change your current kitchen, the main thing to remember is that the devil is in YOUR details and that is what makes a kitchen into the heart of your home.
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To see more of Architects Louise Brooks and Vince Falotico work, please visit Brooks & Falotico .com
Photographer: Tria Giovan
These photos were provided courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine
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Gorgeous! I would feel right at home in that kitchen. Love that little window and the way the stovetop and hood are given a hearth feel. And I’ve never understood why anyone would want wasted space above their upper cabinets – this big moulding is beautiful!