Everything Old is New Again
Maintaining the home’s architectural integrity while incorporating the homeowners need for modern convenience was the challenged welcomed by Keener designers.
 The “must have” list created by the owners included a media center with a flat screen television, professional grade cooking equipment, two sinks, two dishwashers, a beverage center, an integrated refrigerator unit, a bench seat and lighted glass cabinets to display Grandmothers’ china, and a desk area. The cabinets were to feel as if they were furniture pieces, softly gracing the new space, yet providing visual impact.
Using two different wood species and finishes on the cabinets, and two colors of granite, the palette of the new room creates an appealing ambience fitting of the home’s regal era. Candlelight white painted cabinets with a raw umber glaze are centered beneath a central widow. An undermount sink with an industrial-looking Dorn Bracht faucet fits nicely, with two display cabinets above on either side of the window. Seeded glass doors, lit from the inside and below, highlight the translucent heirloom china. The sink base cabinet has “Deco Style” furniture feet, and to the left of the sink base is the beverage center. Flanking the white cabinets are the mocha stained rustic cherry cabinets. A 32” by 18” built-in bench seat in cherry mocha has an open shelf below storage.
 The nook that was once the butler’s area is fitted with an office area that is close to the rest of the kitchen. An “L” shaped desk is tucked into the corner, with a computer work station.
The integrated “freezer on the bottom” refrigerator is draped in rustic cherry with a mocha stain, and two 18” deep by 15” wide by 87” high pantries grace each side of the armoire style refrigerator. Topped with fluted molding, the rustic cherry wood is of character grade – with open knotholes, splits and distressing, this area certainly fits the “furniture” bill.
The candlelight paint and glaze cabinets against the walls are all complimented by the Juperano granite with a square edge profile. Using an Absolute Black granite with a honed finish on all of the rustic cherry cabinets, the fusion of colors and finishes have an almost lyrical movement throughout the room.
 The long island completes the vision with a true furniture look. Built to look and function just like a table, the rustic cherry cabinets beneath consist of base cabinets with pull out trays, and full extension drawers lined with peg board plate holders.
While soft smoky jazz drifts down from the newly installed sound system in the ceiling, this vintage style living space is now ready to take a deep pause with its totally modern family.
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