A Scandinavian Inspired Kitchen

Scandinavian

INSPIRED K

Scandinavian

INSPIRED KITCHEN

WRITTEN BY MICHELE AHL OF 2B DESIGN, LLC PHOTOS BY DAVID STRAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

The Homeowners

Naseer Chowdhrey, a native of India who moved to New York in his twenties and his wife, Greta, whose family immigrated from Aland Finland. They have three teenage sons, Iaith 17, Saif 15, and Sami 13. Naseer, a neurologist and Greta, his technician, have worked together in their medical practice since 2010 in Upstate New York. Growing a family with three very active boys put a lot of wear and tear on their home, but especially the kitchen where they spent the majority of their time - when they weren’t running to the next sporting event for one, if not all three of them!

The Mission:

Their original builder-kitchen had white cabinets, black countertops, and wood trim. By the time they employed Michele Ahl of 2B Design, LLC to redesign their kitchen, the doors were being held on with rubber bands and bungee cords! Speaking with Michele about her dream kitchen, Greta says she really had no idea what she wanted other than a brighter space. Prior to the kitchen remodel, Michele had been hired by Greta to do a surprise “Indian Lounge Room,” for Naseer which incorporated rich deep colors, prints and textures. The adjoining dining room received new wall and ceiling treatments and light fixtures, as the rooms were open to one other. When speaking about the kitchen, Michele suggested using color in another way. This time to represent Greta’s heritage and to find a way to marry their global family history. Greta allowed Michele and 2B Design, LLC to have free reign with material and color choices. Michele remembers hearing that Naseer was nervous about the cabinet color choice once they began the install. Michele encouraged them to trust the finished product once every element had been added, and their trust and patience paid off. They both love their new kitchen and Naseer has taken over the long bench with rolling table for his evening chats with Greta. He now says it is his favorite place in the house. The clean, bright aesthetic is represented with a pale blue-green Benjamin Moore color on the custom cabinets by Ridgewood Cabinet Shop. Beautiful solid alabaster pendant lights, white picket-fence style tile backsplash, natural red birch island with a shiplap finish and the Thibaut wallpaper backing up the bench really bring the look home! And what Scandinavian home would be without natural wishbone chairs topped with real lambswool?! Working alongside Michele to make the kitchen remodel a complete success, were Ridgewood Cabinet Shop, Contractor Chris Motler, and Granite & Marble Works. Michele credits these kinds of success stories to her great group of professionals that she has chosen to work with. “It is a true team effort, and I am so grateful for the wonderful people I have met and worked with since moving my business to Upstate New York fourteen years ago.” “With such a diverse and layered history of immigrants here in New York, it is a real privilege to have the opportunity to represent some of that history in my interiors.” SS

You made my dream kitchen! You knew better what I would like than I did. Absolutely exceeded my expectations! I remember you saying that I couldn’t have just plain white cabinets when the other rooms you created for me were more unique,” Greta beams when asked about their new space.