This modern Atlanta kitchen was not working very well with the rest of the historic residence. It had been renovated by previous owners, and few of their home’s 1900s features stayed in this part of the house. “The addition just felt very unfamiliar to the property’s history,” says designer Ili Nilsson.
Nilsson worked closely with the customers to design a brand new kitchen and attached lounge that better match the house and their own lives. Raising the dropped ceiling, putting in new windows and working with a tasteful white palette created the timeless appearance and practical function the family desired.
Kitchen in a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two grown children
Location: Ansley Park neighborhood of Atlanta
Size: 750 square feet, such as the attached lounge
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A cedar-wrapped beam visually divides the kitchen in the attached bar and lounge area. The kitchen didn’t need the beams for support; highlight and they function to define the region.
Structurally, the floor-level changes could not be corrected, but Nilsson redesigned the current measures to take up minimal floor area.
Pendants: South of Market
Before Photo
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Renovated by previous owners, the darkened space felt restricted because of its awkward cabinetry design and unnecessary corner cupboard. A single window and a dropped ceiling (shifted from 10 ft to 71/2 feet throughout that renovation) had made the space feel even more dim and enclosed.
Terracotta Design Build
Terracotta Design Build
Nilsson raised the ceiling with a few feet (she could not lift it to the original 10-foot elevation because of new plumbing), took out the corner cupboard and added two new windows to get an open area. Replacing the darkened built-ins with all-white cabinetry made the room feel more spacious.
Two new full-height windows on either side of the stove add more mild. The black window frames break up the white area and blend in with the darkened La Cornue stove.
In place of this corner pantry, Nilsson placed specialized pantry closets in quadrants around the fridge.
Cabinetry: Karl Alspach Construction; hardware: Restoration Hardware; fridge: Sub-Zero; microwave: Samsung
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The customers bought the stunning La Cornue stove before the remodel, but despite the French measurements, it was easy to design into the brand new kitchen.
Hood: Vent-A-Hood; cooker: CornuFé 110, La Cornue
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Ash paneling on the island adds a warm element to the white and black palette. The customers have two older children, and all of them love to have friends over, so Nilsson designed the spacious island with plenty of counter and chairs area.
Bar stools: Bungalow Classic; countertops, backsplash: Calacatta gold marble
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Two built-in dishwashers, extra storage, and recycling and trash receptacles in the island create postparty cleanup easy.
Dishwasher: KitchenAid; faucet, sink: Kohler
Before Photo
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The prior kitchen’s measures had dropped to a closed-off bar area, specifying the two spaces using a change in elevation and floor finish.
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The two rooms are merged with wide-plank oak flooring and subtly split with the cedar beam and measures. The bar and adjoining seating area confront the kitchen, making for easy conversation between the two spaces.
Before Photo
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A single, tiny window and lots of black cabinetry had made the prior kitchen feel a lot smaller.
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Nilsson desired to maximize light and height, so she extended the cabinets to the ceiling. The best cabinets store little-used items; this classic ladder lets the family access what they want.
Your turn: Tell us about your own kitchen remodel!