Introduction
A beautifully designed kitchen can be the heart of a home. This week, we’re exploring a cheerful and inviting combined kitchen and dining space in a Brooklyn townhouse. With its light and airy feel, vintage touches, and clever use of color, this kitchen makes a fantastic addition to the home.
In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at the features that make this space so special. From the custom cabinetry to the herringbone backsplash, every detail was carefully considered in this kitchen renovation. We’ll break down the elements that give this kitchen its charm and functionality. Whether you live in a Brooklyn townhouse or a suburban single-family home, there are takeaways here for making your own kitchen warm, welcoming, and full of personality. Let’s dive in!
Overview of the Kitchen Renovation
This kitchen was part of a whole-home renovation completed in a historic Brooklyn townhouse. The goal was to open up and update the space while retaining its 19th-century details and bones. Many original architectural elements were preserved, like the wood plank floors and moulding. At the same time, the kitchen was adapted to suit a contemporary family’s needs.
The most noticeable change was removing walls to create an open-concept kitchen and dining area. This allowed the homeowners to gain a spacious, communal gathering area for cooking and entertaining. It also enabled better flow between the kitchen, entryway, and adjacent rooms.
Within the kitchen itself, everything was gutted and rebuilt. Custom cabinetry, new appliances, marble countertops, and high-end fixtures and finishes were installed. The look strikes a balance between classic and modern with its traditional cabinet style, marble, and brass accents coupled with clean lines and minimal ornamentation.
Let’s examine some of the stand-out details that make this kitchen renovation unique.
Layout and Floorplan
- The kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining area with no dividing wall or staircase. This makes it feel very open and airy.
- A large kitchen island provides additional prep space, casual seating, and helps define the kitchen space within the open floorplan.
- Appliances like the refrigerator and oven are built into the cabinetry for a streamlined look. The range hood is an architectural focal point.
- A butler’s pantry tucked around the corner provides storage, houses the dishwasher, and keeps mess hidden from view.
- French doors bring in abundant natural light and create access to the backyard.
- The marble-topped peninsula allows for additional seating at one end of the island.
Cabinetry
- The cabinetry has a traditional style with simple Shaker doors, excellent storage, and brass hardware.
- Glass front cabinets allow display space for pretty dishware while glass upper cabinets keep the room feeling open and light.
- Warm wood cabinets paired with the cool marble countertops create an inviting color palette.
- Pull-out shelves and drawers maximize storage in the cabinets for kitchen essentials.
- Decorative open shelving provides alternate display space by the range hood.
Countertops and Backsplash
- Honed marble countertops have subtle gray veining for added visual interest.
- The stately marble complements the elegance of the custom cabinetry.
- Brass fixtures pop against the marble counters and add metallic accents.
- A herringbone marble backsplash adds texture and ties in the shades of the countertops.
- The backsplash marble has distinctive veining and pattern for a unique look.
Flooring
- The original wood plank flooring was refinished to restore its beauty while retaining the historic charm.
- Wood floors add warmth and complement the crisp white cabinetry and walls.
- Since the kitchen flows into other living areas, consistent flooring helps unite the open space.
- The expanse of wood flooring emphasizes the room’s spaciousness.
Lighting
- Floating pendant lights over the kitchen island are industrial-inspired and provide task lighting.
- Recessed lighting surrounding the perimeter ensures the space is bright enough for cooking prep.
- French door allow ample natural light to flood the kitchen during the day.
- Accent lighting under the upper cabinets creates a soft glow for evening ambiance.
- Vintage-style bulbs in the fixtures give a nod to the home’s history.
Appliances and Fixtures
- Top-of-the-line appliances include a Lacanche range, SubZero refrigerator, and Miele dishwasher for luxury functionality.
- The professional-grade Lacanche range is a showstopper focal point with its enameled finish.
- Brushed brass plumbing fixtures and hardware lend an elegant, polished look.
- The deep farmhouse sink is both stylish and perfect for food prep.
- Fixtures were chosen for durability and easy maintenance along with their aesthetic.
Design Details Worth Noting
Now that we’ve toured the elements that make up this stylish Brooklyn kitchen, let’s discuss some of the details worth noting from a design perspective. These thoughtful choices help give this space its stand-out style.
Blending Old and New
The homeowners had a vision to update and customize their historic home for modern living. At the same time, preserving its 19th century architectural details was a priority. To blend old and new, they restored existing elements like the flooring and moulding, while integrating state-of-the-art appliances and custom cabinetry. The kitchen feels fresh yet suited to the age of the home.
Consistent Finishes
The finishes used throughout the kitchen – marble, brass, wood floors – are echoed elsewhere in the adjoining dining and living spaces. This consistency makes the open floorplan feel cohesive and thoughtfully designed. The marble ties in with the accent fireplace in the next room, for example.
Pops of Unexpected Color
While the palette is overall neutral, thoughtful splashes of color liven up the space. The shade of blue on the Lacanche range catches your eye while coordinating with the stools. The classic shade pairs perfectly with the home’s traditional bones.
Blending Function and Beauty
The kitchen is highly functional for cooking and entertaining, thanks to smart storage solutions and durable, easy-to-clean materials. At the same time, every material and fixture was chosen for its visual appeal, from the marble backsplash to the elegant fixtures. Careful details ensure that utility didn’t compromise beauty.
Personalized Touches
It’s the personal flourishes that make a kitchen feel like home. This one incorporates family photos, favorite cookbooks, collected antiques, and handmade ceramics that show the homeowners’ personalities. The space is clearly lived in and loved.
By thoughtfully blending old and new while adding beautiful and functional elements tailored to their needs, the homeowners created a kitchen that feels welcoming, full of heart, and uniquely theirs. It’s a space made for gatherings, meals, and memories. Let’s now dive deeper into specific elements that make this kitchen so memorable.
Notable Features That Make This Kitchen Stand Out
That Showstopping Lacanche Range
The blue enameled Lacanche range is truly the superstar of this kitchen. Its color provides a bold and beautiful contrast to all the neutrals. The color choice ties to the classic heritage of the home’s exterior. Beyond aesthetics, Lacanche ranges are beloved by chefs for their versatility and durability. The range combines professional-grade performance with French country charm.
Honed Marble Countertops
Marble never goes out of style, which is why it was used so extensively throughout this kitchen. The homeowners chose honed marble, which has a luxurious matte finish. This is less prone to reflecting light and showing wear than a polished stone surface. Beyond its beauty, marble is durable, naturally antimicrobial, and easy to clean – ideal for kitchen counters.
Custom Built-In Appliances
For a seamless look, the refrigerator and wall ovens were built directly into the custom cabinetry so they don’t disrupt the lines of the kitchen. Paneling that matches the cabinets disguises the appliances themselves. This thoughtful design choice makes the kitchen feel unified and luxurious.
Wood Plank Floors
The existing wood floors were a historic detail worth preserving. Beyond retaining the home’s character, wood brings warmth and texture to balance the marble and painted cabinetry. Oak floors are also durable and withstand the wear and tear of a busy kitchen area.
Vintage-Style Lighting
The new lighting suits the age of the home with vintage-style clear bulbs and antique-looking fixtures. Pendant lights hang above the kitchen island, while sconces flank the vent hood. The lighting choices complement the traditional bones of the home while providing excellent illumination for the tasks at hand.
Built-In Storage Solutions
To keep the space tidy, the designers incorporated discreet storage like a built-in pantry closet and below-cabinet spice drawers. The deep farmhouse sink has an adjacent pull-out drying rack that hides away when not in use. There’s a place for everything in this kitchen.
Kitchen of the Week: A Cheery Combined Space in Brooklyn
This kitchen and dining space truly exemplifies a warm, welcoming, and family-friendly heart of the home. It masterfully blends original architectural elements that honor the home’s history with updated finishes and appliances suited for 21st-century living.
The careful details that went into the renovation, from custom cabinetry to special touches like the Lacanche range, elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary. This cheerful Brooklyn kitchen provides smart solutions for storage and organization while remaining effortlessly stylish. It provides ample room for cooking, dining, and gathering with family and friends.
In our view, the homeowners knocked this renovation out of the park. They maintained the integrity of their historic townhouse while customizing it to match their needs and tastes. Thoughtful and high-quality materials were chosen for both aesthetics and durability. The kitchen provides excellent functionality without sacrificing beauty or character.
This bright and airy kitchen is sure to be the backdrop for many happy gatherings and home-cooked meals in the years to come. For our readers currently planning a kitchen refresh, this gorgeous space provides abundant inspiration. When thoughtfully designed, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home where memories are made.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lovely Combined Kitchen and Dining Spaces
What are the benefits of an open-concept kitchen and dining area?
Some benefits of a combined kitchen and dining space include:
- Creates better flow for entertaining guests
- Allows the cook to be social while prepping food
- Makes the space feel more spacious and airy
- Enables your family to spend quality time together
- Provides flexibility in furniture arrangements
- Allows natural light to reach more of the space
What elements help make a combined kitchen and dining area feel cohesive?
Design elements that help unite a kitchen and dining room include:
- Consistent flooring between both spaces
- Similar cabinetry or other architectural features
- Repeating colors, finishes, or materials
- Open sightlines between the spaces
- Leveling any changes in floor height
- Stylistically matching the lighting fixtures
- No walls or dividers to segment the areas
Should a combined kitchen and dining area have two different tables?
Having two tables – one more formal for the dining zone and one casual for the kitchen – can help define each space. However, for smaller areas, one multi-functional table saves space. Use an island or peninsula as supplemental seating as well. Assess your needs and space to determine if one or two tables is better for your home.
What size should a kitchen or dining table be for a combined space?
Consider the proportions of the room itself and how many people you plan to seat on a regular basis when choosing table size. Allow for at least 36 inches of clearance on all sides of the dining table to accommodate pulled out chairs. An oval or round table often works well for combined areas to soften any awkward angles.
How can you add visual interest to a combined kitchen and dining zone?
Ways to inject visual appeal if you knock down the wall between kitchen and dining room include:
- Add an architectural focal point like a vent hood, armoire or china cabinet
- Use lighting to define each zone such as a statement pendant over the table
- Choose a bold color or material for either space, like a blue range or wood dining table
- Incorporate textural backsplashes, patterned rug, or gallery wall for interest
- Include greenery with potted plants or living wall
What flooring works best for combined kitchen and dining rooms?
Great flooring options for open concept kitchen/dining include:
- Wood or wood-look plank flooring
- Stone or tile with radiant heating
- Luxury vinyl plank for affordability and durability
- Concrete if you want an industrial modern vibe
- Cork for a soft, warm feel underfoot
Be sure to choose a material that can withstand spills and high traffic.
Conclusion
This charming combined kitchen and dining space in Brooklyn exemplifies gorgeous form meeting highly functional design. From its custom cabinetry to inviting vintage-inspired lighting, every detail was thoughtfully considered in this renovation. Elements like honed marble counters and fresh white paint keep the space feeling bright and timeless.
Clever built-in storage solutions maintain the tidy aesthetic in this hardworking kitchen. Open shelving, glass cabinet fronts, and the elimination of dividing walls all contribute to the light and airy vibe. The conversation-friendly layout accommodates both serious cooks and casual gatherings of family and friends.
While the renovation preserved historic details like wood flooring, the new additions blend seamlessly thanks to the homeowners’ cohesive vision. Consistent finishes help the open concept feel unified and expensive. By masterfully balancing vintage elements with contemporary flair, this kitchen sits comfortably within its 19th century Brooklyn brownstone home.
The charm and functionality of this combined Brooklyn kitchen makes it a truly memorable and inspiring space. For readers considering their own kitchen refresh, there is much inspiration to glean from the thoughtful design decisions seen here. From smart layout to special finishes, the heaps of character in this kitchen will provide cooking and memories for years to come.
