The Goal
This family with a young child wanted a bright, fresh, streamlined kitchen with classic New England tones, incorporating the blues and grays of the ocean. A cohesive whole house style was also important.
Click to find this kitchen featured in the 2022 NEST magazine on pages 22-23
Wrentham, MA Home
Private Residence New Construction
Designed by Mary Jane Robillard
Built by Meridian Custom Homes
The Challenge
Storage was a primary driving factor for the design, but they didn’t want just a wall of cabinets. Therefore, interesting elements were incorporated — floating shelves over the sink, a pro-style range hood, and a special refrigerator with a window to see contents. The bonus is no wasted electricity from standing with the refrigerator door open to see what's inside.
The Summary
This kitchen is a multiple-purpose space, used not only for cooking and entertaining but also as a space to work from home during the day with a laptop and coffee. Notice how the glazed gray tile backsplash shimmers softly with light, reminiscent of light reflected on the ocean.
Cabinetry: Schrock
Door Style: Ingalis with Slab Drawer Fronts
Perimeter Cabinet Finish: White
Island Cabinet Finish: Maritime
Decorative Hardware: Berenson, Studio Bar Pull in Stainless Steel
Countertops: Hanstone (Quartz), Chantilly
Kitchen
Cohesive whole house style was considered in the design plan, so Schrock cabinetry with the Ingalis door style is used throughout. The white perimeter cabinets in the kitchen blend with the tall white wainscoting in the adjacent formal dining area and painted white walls in the living room in this open concept layout.
The coffee nook is an absolute favorite of the homeowner’s — they love using it every day. The mug shelf here and the floating shelves over the sink are blue like the island.
Cabinetry: Schrock
Island Cabinet Finish: Maritime
Decorative Hardware: Berenson, Studio Bar Pull in Stainless Steel
Countertop: Hanstone (Quartz), Chantilly
Maritime Blue Island
The huge island anchors the kitchen with its 10 foot by 4 foot dimensions. Every part is designed to be functional, from the casual dining on the living room side that includes cabinetry storage, to the organized working side across from the stove and sink.
This is the perfect space for everything from meal preparations and baking projects, to casual dining and buffet space for entertaining. Speaking of entertaining, there is even a wine refrigerator tucked into the end across from the regular refrigerator.
Additional pull-out storage in the island holds more cookware and small appliances that are not used every day.
Hidden Storage Accessories
Carefully planned cabinetry with interior storage accessories for specific tasks provide plenty of storage to keep the countertops clear.
Convenient pull-out storage next to the stove makes pots and pans easy to find. You can see how far this has pulled out — no more getting down on your knees to reach items in the back of a cabinet. The homeowners have chosen to keep spices on the top pull-out to have at hand while cooking.
Nearby, the tall pantry cabinet keeps other dry goods easily accessible, with organized bins on the pull-out shelves. Specialty dishes for holidays are stored in upper cabinets.
Conveniently, trash and recycling bins are in a pull-out cabinet next to the sink.
Living Room Built-ins
The closed storage of the built-ins on each side of the fireplace use the same white cabinetry as the kitchen to continue the cohesive design. But to streamline the look in the livingroom, the hardware on the cabinet doors is Edge Pull in Brushed Nickel from Berenson
A view from the living room toward the kitchen shows how the space flows with the open concept.
Cabinetry: Schrock
Door Style: Ingalis with Slab Drawer Fronts
Finish: Storm on Maple
Decorative Hardware: Berenson, Swagger in Modern Brushed Gold
Countertop: Hanstone (Quartz), Chantilly
Master Bathroom Double Vanity
Using the same cabinetry style as the kitchen to continue the cohesive design, the double vanity has a darker finish and luxurious gold hardware. Black faucets match the lighting fixtures, and the mirror frames are also elegant in black.
An abundance of drawers make organization easy, keeping the counter clutter-free.
Cabinetry: Schrock
Door Style: Ingalis with Slab Drawer Fronts
Finish: White
Decorative Hardware: Berenson, Aspire in Matte Black
Countertop: Quartzforms (Quartz), Absolute White
Family Bathroom Vanity
Using the same cabinetry style and color as the kitchen to continue the cohesive design, the double vanity has black hardware to match the black faucets and mirror frames like the master bathroom. Notice that the door knob is also black, which is continued on all interior doors in the home.
Two drawers along with cabinet storage help keep supplies handy and the counter clutter-free.
Cabinetry: Schrock
Door Style: Ingalis with Slab Drawer Fronts
Finish: Maritime
Decorative Hardware: Berenson, Studio Bar Pull in Stainless Steel
Countertop: John Boos, Blended Walnut
Laundry Room
Efficient layout with the counter near the appliances to fold items as they come out and a hanging rod for delicate items.
Cabinetry under the counter provides closed storage next to a large open space for the laundry basket. Open shelves above for easy adult access that keep cleaning products away from little ones.
Plenty of built-in cabinetry storage surrounds the appliances and moulding details provide the finishing touch.