A family-friendly layout and cool retro-contemporary feel distinguish this new kitchenc. Trends are seductive. If they were't, they wouldn't be trends. But Julie Anderson had more personal look in mind when she and her husband, Wayne, built new house in Phoenix. 'I didn't want it to look like a model home with the latest design trends,' Julie Says. 'I wanted it to feel modern, clean-edged, earthy and very timeless.'
A blend of Craftsman and contemporary Style, their spacious ranch is always full of life, thanks to their three tenagers, as well as two dogs, three cats, three finches and any other critter that Wayne, a veterinarian, might take in. The couple also entertain in a big way, especially during the holidays. 'We have big events, but this is a family kitchen,' Julie says. 'It also had to be comfortable every day.'
Architect Mike Higgins gave them kitchen that could handle it all yet still feel cozy. The key is good connections. At roughly 14x20 feet, the main kitchen area adjoins a breakfast nook with expansive backyard views. 'The focus is on the yard,' Higgins says. A mudroom tucks around the corner, catching mail and backpacks before they clutter the countertops. Behind the cooking zone, a large butler's pantry offers an indirects link to the formal dining room. 'It's staging area during parties,' Higgins says. It expands the functional space we needed, 'but the kitchen remains the social center.'
With all those connections, it was challenge to create work area free of traffic. Higgins' solution was two-sink plan. He positioned a small sink on the island, opposite the range, to form compact food-prep and cooking zone, with traffic channeled outside it. A larger perimeter sink shares a cleanup zone with the dishwater and cabinetry for dishware. 'All our everyday dishes are within two steps of the dishwater,' Julie says. 'I stack plates in a drawer at the end os the island. I love that.'
The kitchen's style literally evolved from the ground up, with the help from interior designer Barb Forley. 'We chose the hickory flooring first,' julie says. 'It runs through the entire house.' The varied grain helps hide pet hair and paw prints and any scratches from creatures just add more character.
The flooring choice led to dark cabinets-white oak with ebony stain. 'I wanted them to contrast with the light floor,' Julie Says. The door style was inspired by a 1950s breakfront the couple already owned. The frames are beveled, like a picture frame. A back-slanted edge on the countertops repeat the contemporary angle.
With so much dark wood in the kitchen, it was important to add bright touches. To raise the ceiling and bring in light, Higgins added a windows in a light well above the island. An off-white island countertop amplifies the light, as do reflective surfaces including sandblasted glass doors on upper cabinets. 'We used the same glass in the pocket door leading the dining room.' Higgins says. 'It's a cool effects'.
In fact, the entire kitchen has a retro vibe. Julie says thinking through every detail from placing a coffe station in the butler's pantry to counting the number of outlets needed for slow cookers at Christmas-made all difference. 'There's nothing I'd changes,' she says.