Kitchen Confidential | Athena Calderone

Kitchen Confidential

We step inside five unique kitchens and into the minds of designers to see how they conceptualise and create their own functioning spaces.

ATHENA CALDERONE | Eyeswoon

Photography © Nicole Franzen

family | creation | workshop

WHAT INSPIRED THE DESIGN BEHIND YOUR KITCHEN?

I knew I did not want any upper cabinets in the kitchen but rather a singular shelf that could be a foil to display both the utilitarian, functional objects I use every day coupled with decorative objects like sculpture, art, a lamp and a vintage mirror. I chose a light and bright textural plaster so that the bulky hood would recede. I also knew I wanted the lower half of the kitchen to be dark and grounding with a rich navy hue. I designed the kitchen cabinetry to resemble furniture and chose more decorative brass knobs and even raised the island off the floor with legs to give some levity and feel more like movable furniture.

WHAT IS THE FAVOURITE DESIGN FEATURE OF YOUR KITCHEN?

The square island as it engages friends and family to come together in the most communal way. I also love the bifold doors which open completely, making the kitchen an indoor / outdoor experience in the warmer months.

WHAT DESIGN ELEMENTS ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST FOR YOUR NEXT KITCHEN?

I am so happy here with no intention of moving. But I did just redesign my Amagansett kitchen and used the softest grey-green colour on the cabinetry and on the fluted plaster surround of the island. The colour was chosen directly from the marble as I am always led by materiality. I have also recently been obsessed with table lamps in the kitchen too.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR KITCHEN IN THREE WORDS?

Family — Creation — Workshop

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COOKBOOK?

Cook Beautiful of course! Followed by any recipe Alison Roman creates.

* For more swoonworthy inspiration Athena recently launched her second book Live Beautiful and podcast More Than One Thing, visit www.eye-swoon.com for details.