Kitchen of the Week: Modern Summer Camp Style at Maine

Despite their love of fresh and modern design, this East Coast family of five understood that style was not quite right for their lakefront holiday home. Aiming for a more relaxed style, they hired designer Kristina Crestin to present their home a summer-camp feel that would not conflict with their architectural instincts. “It was a total material palette conundrum,” Crestin says.

She embraced the idea of a modern summer camp with a fresh color palette and rustic barn wood accents. Sturdy concrete countertops, plenty of storage and extra-wide walkways make it comfy and enjoyable to cook and entertain.

Kitchen at a Glance
Who resides: This kitchen is in a holiday home for a family of 5.
Location: On a lake in Maine
Size: 260 square feet

The family wanted a kitchen that could do the job for only them or 20 friends without having to change something. Crestin designed it with huge paths so people may work at the countertop, lean against the cabinetry, chat and bite all at one time. The broad space created a significant work triangle, but the different zones prevent people from running into one another.

Range, hood: Viking, Mint Julep; interior millwork: Dunn Builders; cabinetry: Dunn Builders, Dagtone Woodworks

The kitchen opens to the living room, perfect for a holiday home. The window seat at the end is just 20 feet from the waterline. Thanks to both window walls, the area gets a very clear view of the sunrise and sunset on the lake.

Reclaimed stuff, such as locally salvaged barn boards onto the ceiling, help create a camp texture.

Window light: Boston Functional Library wall lighting, Visual Comfort; bar stools: Crate & Barrel; faucet: Rohl

The window partitions eliminated the prospect of upper cabinetry, however, the large footprint allowed for plenty of storage, such as 36-inch-deep drawers in all the cabinets. A pantry behind the stove area holds large pots, serving meals and smallish appliances not used every day.

Counters: concrete, Stonecraft; paint: La Fonda Olive, Valspar

Pine wood grain is visible through the whitewashed walls. The white helps balance out the rustic barn plank accents. “You can’t have everything,” says Crestin. “I enjoy for a single material to function as sparkly thing in a room.”

Kristina Crestin Design

Despite the large island, the center of the kitchen felt empty, so Crestin encouraged the consumer to decide on a large, architectural lighting fixture. These huge bronze fittings were motivated by the customer’s love of the kitchen fittings in the Nancy Meyers movie It is Complicated.

Island light: Goodman pendants, Visual Comfort

Architect: Art Dioli, Olson Lewis
Contractor: Ron Dunn, Dunn Builders
Photographer: Jamie Salomon

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