USA Kitchen Trends US Kitchen Trends Vol. 30/09 | Page 35

stained alder wood, while the perimeter
cabinets are lacquered white. All the doors
have recessed panels, with a semi-circular
detail on the white cabinets.”
Brettler says a lowered table top helps to
break up the perceived mass of the island,
so it doesn’t feel like such a giant piece of
furniture sitting in the middle of the room.
“Similarly, I chose stools that are not
too busy visually, or too large, so we can
fit several people around table top.”
To lighten the center of the kitchen,
and the main work area, the island top is

Carrara marble – in contrast to the black
marble on the perimeter counters. A
formed lip around the edge of the island
top prevents water running off.
Reflective tin inserts are another key
feature of the cabinets.
“Because I wanted full-height cabinets,
but at the same time did not want these
to overwhelm the space, I added these
decorative reflective inserts to the doors
along the top,” says Brettler. “The pressed
tin catches the light and provides plenty
of sparkle.”

Preceding pages: Vintage light fixtures set the
tone for this remodeled kitchen in a 1920s house.
Architect-owner Linda Brettler had several walls
removed to create one large kitchen-family living
area that flows seamlessly to a breakfast room.
Facing page: The long island runs parallel to the
cabinetry, with the main clean-up area positioned
along the outside wall. There is a separate prep
sink on the island, which has a Carrara marble
countertop with a formed lip around the edge.
Above: At one end of the island, a lowered table
top helps to reduce its apparent bulk.

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