Island Life

Sue and E.J. planned their new kitchen to be fully functional for today yet look period appropriate for the New England style they favor. Follow their lead to complete a similar project.

Open up for company.

Older homes often have small, closed-off kitchens. Use the opportunity to draft exactly what you like. E.J. enjoys interacting with family while he’s cooking, so he chose to incorporate an island as the centerpiece while paying close attention to form and function.

Blend in necessities.

Outfit the island with a sink, dishwasher and microwave drawer. Modern conveniences can be hidden in the island or in the cabinets behind it, and gleaming stainless steel can be camouflaged with country textiles.

Stow away.

Minimize the need for upper cabinets, as kitchens of old featured stand-alone furniture instead of vast expanses of matching cabinetry. Store cookware, dinnerware and linens in drawers in the island. Drawers have the added benefit of allowing easy access.

Finish the look.

Accentuate Colonial styling by selecting mismatched but coordinated surfaces. The Mirambells’ island features painted beadboard and a reclaimed heart-pine countertop that has been waterproofed. The perimeter cabinets are distressed maple and topped with granite that has been leathered, a treatment that gives the stone a matte texture.

Surround the scene.

Brick tiles on the floor and backsplash help age the kitchen. Woodwork on the range hood and ceiling also imbues character. The woodwork and tiles’ shared color palette fosters a cohesiveness that visually expands the space.

Soften the contours.

Simple cabinet pulls, country-style curtains and punched-tin pendant lamps all contribute to a time-tumbled appearance. Mellow the atmosphere with wood antiques like bowls and breadboards.