5 minute read
creativity gets its chance
in the island, even though it was going to be 10½ feet from the range top. I suggested a 36-inch-wide sink—we used a farmhouse style—which visually gave the sink some ‘presence’ and made the distance to the range top seem less.
Along with placement, balance and proportion were also key considerations. “Because the room is long, it was important to us that the kitchen design be symmetrical,” the homeowner notes.
The fireplace “wall” originally housed an oven. Since the wall structure was to remain, a new Wolf double oven was situated in the same place to avoid altering the brickwork. All of the functional aspects of the kitchen—appliances and storage—had to be on the short runs of the limited wall space. Hufnagel thoughtfully planned out the locations of specific stations—a cooking center, a cleanup section and food storage areas—to ensure everything fit together within a balanced, cohesive layout.
Given the 20-foot length between the two functional ends, Hufnagel needed to create a convenient flow that would “not require roller skates.” Her solution: She kept the storage—refrigeration and pantry—at one end, and the cooking, near the ovens, at the other. In between, the large island in gray-stained wood tones centers the space, while the oversized, 36-inch Kohler farmhouse sink breaks up the long run of countertop below the impressive windows.
Although the row of windows let in light all during the day, nighttime illumination posed a dilemma: Any lights put in the vault would lose their brilliance by the time they reached the countertop surface. Installing pendants would require extremely long cords and would interfere with the wonderful window views. Also, the expanse of windows along this wall allowed no wall space into which to set lights. So, in a lightbulb moment, Hufnagel suggested placing sconces in the wooden divider between the upper and lower windows. “This solved the problem and added to the charm of the place,” she says. “They look right at home, bringing light over the long run of countertop along the windows.”
Such creative problem solving and collaboration among all parties involved proved essential for the successful outcome. “Working with Ulrich on the kitchen and Woodro on the construction in order to balance design with the clients’ goals is what made this such a truly great project,” says Martin.
Giving high praise to all the professionals who worked to create the bright and uplifting kitchen, the homeowners couldn’t agree more. “The transformation of the space is remarkable,” the homeowner says. “People walk in and exclaim, ‘Wow, it is truly a beautiful space!’”
This page: The living and dining spaces are separated from the kitchen by a large fireplace chimney, which according to the architect “just screams midcentury in the greatest sense.” On the kitchen side, the fireplace “wall” originally housed an oven, and since the owners wanted it to stay, a new Wolf double oven was installed in the same place in order to avoid changing the existing brickwork. Opposite page: “The kitchen has the light and bright modern design that we were looking for. It’s also an extremely functional space with everything in the right place,” the homeowner says. The countertops are Raphael Stone’s Borghini; the Wood Harbor cabinetry features Briarstone-style perimeter doors painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White and Satin Sheen, while the Manor Flat-style drawers gleam with a Silverwood finish in Satin Sheen on hickory wood.
A Ridgewood couple saw home design as an art—and their new house around the corner as an ideal blank canvas.
Text by Donna Rolando Design by Anthony Passanante Photography by Wing Wong
A Ridgewood couple who welcomed a gut job to satisfy their DIY fever now has a masterpiece of a kitchen, where a fusion of styles finds happy harmony. A SubZero double fridge to the left, highly functional, scores for looks as well in its blanket of walnut.
For many buyers, a home must be move-in ready—no hassle, no fuss. But Stephanie and Louis, longtime Ridgewood residents, were infused with DIY spirit. When a house came on the market around the corner from them, it wasn’t just the desirable block and the big backyard that inspired them. It was also a plus that the home needed lots of TLC, from its warped floors to its ’80s décor.
“We bought this 100-year-old house knowing we were going to renovate it,” says Stephanie. “My husband and I like to redo things.”
The couple with two teenage daughters thinks of renovation as an art, and they were eager to practice that art using his skills as a builder and hers in design. Thus, it was without hesitation that they took on this complete gut job in mid-2019 and called upon Waldwick-based Anthony Albert Studios to help cement their vision.
“It was an older house that needed a big face-lift,” says designer Anthony Passanante. “Now it’s pretty much a brand-new home.”
One of the most dramatic creations is the kitchen, which was really virgin territory carved from a 2,000-square-foot expansion. Here the herringbone marble backsplash and white custom cabinetry find contrast in dark polished, white-veined granite countertops and a Tiffany blue that originated in an unlikely moment of inspiration. Both Stephanie and Passanante recall the time they met to choose custom knobs for the BlueStar stove, which, along with the custom hood, was to wow with a mix of high-gloss black, stainlesssteel and polished-brass accents.
“My client that day had a beautiful purse, and it was that color—a Tiffany blue,” Passanante recalls. “We
This page, right: Yes, that’s Tiffany blue there on the BlueStar range knobs below the showstopping custom hood. Need we say more? Opposite page: The center island is a lesson in contrasts with its white cabinetry (designed by Anthony Albert Studios) and dark polished granite countertops. The granite’s white veining marries the dichotomy for a stunning effect.
