Makeover Magic - Vol. 21, No. 2
To Welcome Family
Sturdy but attractive features stand up to constant traffic from kids

WHEN BUILDER JOHN HUMMEL DECIDED TO RAZE A 1960s ranch house in Bridgehampton, N.Y., and build a larger, Shingle-style dwelling in its place, he envisioned an artful mix of up-to-date appliances and old-fashioned comfort-all in a friendly farmhouse kitchen that would suit the rural Long Island surroundings. Because his three grown children and 2-year-old son are frequent visitors, they were a top priority in many of Hummel's building decisions, too. "I wanted the kitchen to function as an extension of the outdoor living space," he explains. "I saw it as a large gathering area where people could hang out and talk and enjoy the wonderful view." The architect for the project, Val Florio of Sag Harbor, N.Y., arranged the kitchen, the living room, and the dining room in a free-flowing layout. "We designed them as separate rooms," Florio says, "but they are very relaxed and interactive." To connect the kitchen with the outdoors, Florio situated two large windows to face the fields of nearby farms; French doors lead to a patio.

Next, Hummel turned to kitchen designer Linda Burkhardt of Montauk, N.Y. Familiar with the owner's busy lifestyle and family commitments, the designer configured the 16' x 18' kitchen for optimal ease and efficiency. "John wanted a multifunctional space that could accommodate a crowd but would work equally well on nights when he just wanted to pop something in the microwave and watch TV," she explains. The traditional U-shaped design features well-organised workstations that allow him to cook and clean while keeping an eye on his curious toddler and remaining involved in family activities nearby. Because Hummel enjoys cooking for groups of friends as well as for his family, Burkhardt equipped the space with professional-style, stainless-steel appliances that can handle a crowd: a four-burner range with a griddle, a grill, and double ovens; a large refrigerator; and an under-counter unit to chill wine. To complement the brushed-metal surfaces of the appliances, the designer selected custom maple cabinets with recessed-panel doors and an antique-white finish and then accented them with old-fashioned pulls. Black honed granite countertops, which anchor the pale palette of the rest of the room, are offset by a backsplash of subway tiles with an appeal-ing crackled finish. Large windows and a pair of French doors usher in natural light and picturesque rural vistas. "Even though the kitchen is new, it's imbued with farmhouse charm," says Burkhardt. "Of all the rooms in the house, it's definitely the family's favorite."