Moydalgan Kitchen

Built in 1847, this elegant home was served only by a small kitchen with no natural light and minimal storage. Happily, an adjacent family room—an addition to the original structure—allowed us to create a spacious and serviceable kitchen as grand as the rest of the house.

By opening the narrow kitchen out into the family room, we were able to add a pantry tucked behind double doors at the back of the space, as well as a Butler’s Pantry in a transitional space between the office and dining room. To add vibrancy to the Butler’s Pantry space, we used high-lacquer paint in a bright, bold green (Sherman Williams Inverness) for the cabinets and a vivid floral wallpaper (Scalamandre) that creates dramatic contrast.

In what is now a seamless kitchen/family room, we used cabinetry with a warm white finish and creamy Danby marble countertops to form the foundation of the décor. Two over-sized chandeliers with fabric shades add texture. A marble backsplash with cut-outs inspired by classical forms enhances the sense of grandeur. Soffits and dropped ceilings were removed to give a consistent 118″ ceiling height across a spacious room now warmed by ample natural light.

On a practical note, the kitchen features 36″ Sub Zero Refrigerators and a 42″ Wolf Range with a dramatic Modern Aire hood. A 12-foot island flanked by bar-height stools and chairs provides plenty of seating. Cabinets and a new dog kennel are tucked under the countertop, adding convenience without taking up floor space.