space—whether for two people or a large party. White, furniturestyled cabinetry and marble countertops enhance both the home’s
modern aspect and its historic character. Large, custom steel
windows and French doors connect the kitchen to the covered patio.
Complementing the home’s existing windows is a new large custom,
wood-arched window that serves as a focal point. “Other than that,
there aren’t a lot of embellishments,” Michelle comments. “It’s very
linear, clean, and integrated. That arched window, for example, exactly
matches the doors to the adjacent music room.”
The outdoor living room features a double-sided, gas start/woodburning fireplace, and a patio design that creates multiple gathering
spaces and gradually connects to the outdoor garden. “We love that
the fireplace can be seen from inside—it’s like having a fireplace in the
kitchen,” Michelle comments. “We use the patio year round. Even in
the winter, we swing open those 9-foot-tall doors, light the fireplace,
and the party moves in and out.”
The Heryfords give credit to their designer for designing a space
that perfectly suits the way they live. “Our designer brilliantly
articulated our lifestyle and envisioned how to increase flow while
keeping the intimacy of the space. We love to cook and entertain, so
we really live in our kitchen. We’re spontaneous people, and it’s not
unusual for us to decide at 3 p.m. to have six people for dinner. Craig
and I have five children between us—some live locally, one’s in France
and another’s in L.A.—and our daughter-in-law is a chef. So they’re
also a lovely part of the chaos in our kitchen.”
These days, Michelle appreciates her dream cooktop, the appliance
that started it all: a six-burner Wolf range with griddle and double
oven. “When you look at our kitchen,” she muses, “you’re basically
looking at the equivalent of my new stove.”
Photography by Anthony Musmanno
Chartiers Valley | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 19