|
|
|
| Quick Links | |
Jeff's email
MHIC #67168
MHBR No. 3122
Office Phone:
410-349-3282
or 410-604-2283
Renovating, Repairing or Painting a home built before 1978? Look for this logo before you hire a company. Click on the logo below for more information.
This is Villa's custom EPA Logo with our certification number .
|
|
|
| Greetings! , | |
"...keep into the kitchen, make it a real family room and part of your life." ~ Julia Child
What is hot in kitchens these days? Stainless steel and gas appliances, center islands, open shelving, prep sinks, specialty faucets for filling tall pots and professional style appliances-just to name a few. I have often wondered when today's stainless steel will become yesteryear's harvest gold, avocado or turquoise. What could ever be more popular than stainless steel? I have been reading more about copper, believe it or not. No matter what the trends are, I embrace individual taste and style and encourage our clients to do the same.
Cooking is one of my favorite things (eating too) and I am curious about the opinions of master chefs on details they believe are essential in creating a functional and beautiful kitchen. Having an affinity for Julia Child, I thought I'd take a closer look at her famous kitchen.
Last fall, Jeff and I visited the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, specifically for a chance to see Julia Child's kitchen. The exhibit was shoulder-to-shoulder people. To take an even closer look, I visited Julia's kitchen on the web this week. Much of what are popular today are present in her kitchen. Items like a real deal, commercial gas range, accessible shelves, a mix of cabinetry style and color, tall faucet and wall oven.
As my mouse clicked here and there, I listened to snippets of her timeless advice about designing a kitchen. This was after all Julia's ninth kitchen.
"Make the kitchen a really important part of your home...have everyone eat together and if you have a nice room to do it in, this is the kind of place you would choose. Because it is warm and friendly and it smells good. We intended to make it both practical and beautiful, a working laboratory as well as a living and dining room. It is utterly practical, but attractive to be in and its good equipment, good solid stuff." ~ Julia Child
Source: Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Enjoy and thanks for reading,
Joanne
|
|
|
|
| [Before and After] Kitchen | |
Still original to this waterfront home, built in 1991, the Owner wanted to update the kitchen. She wanted better organization and an island with more surface space and more kid friendly. The scope of work included replacing all cabinetry, installing new appliances and enlarging and reconfiguring the island. This renovation was important as it completed a long list of renovations the homeowner had on her dream list.
The homeowner wanted us to match the perimeter cabinetry to the existing Ben Moore trim color, Mayonnaise. This would allow us to incorporate an existing crown moulding detail with the new cabinetry.
Working within a custom cabinetry line, we were able to reproduce the custom color for cabinetry. The homeowner was very happy and pleased with the outcome.
We custom designed a cabinet to rest on the island. This added storage and function while also concealing a structural component.
A stunning remodeled kitchen compliments a much deserving waterfront home. The new island no longer interrupted by a cook top, gives ample space for the children's arts and crafts and weekday homework. Mom can enjoy overseeing their projects while preparing pizza in her new Wolf range, complete with bakestone.
Photography by James Parker Group |
| Your Kitchen's Got Potential | | You may remodel your kitchen to feel better connected to your family and guests in an adjacent living or family room, update appliances, correct poor traffic flow, increase and improve storage capacity, or just simply to update an outdated 70's or 80's or even 90's trend. Whatever your reasons are, I hope you will be inspired to see all the potential your kitchen has-as more than a space of function. Think of it as a room where your family will gather and your friends will hang out.
Call us today at 410-349-3282 and let's talk about your kitchen's potential and your inspirations.
Here's what happens after you call -
- We will chat a bit about what's bugging you about present kitchen.
- We will set an appointment to take a closer look. This appointment usually takes place within a couple of days of your call.
- At this appointment, we will listen and take lots of notes.
- We will share with you how our design process will address your needs, and your budget.
- If you decide that everything we talk about works for you, then we will take the next step where we will dig in and get your project moving.
|
| 5 Fun Facts about Julia Child's Kitchen |
- Julia kept oils and vinegars handy and next to her stove.
- Her 'used' Garland, restaurant grade; gas stove was purchased for $429 in 1956. She used it for over 40 years.
- The Joy of Cooking was one cookbook she used most often after her own.
- She and her husband, Paul ate often at their kitchen table and would even entertain as many as six guests at their table.
- Julia liked to have utensils and other kitchenware very accessible. And, keeping with her sense of humor, she had containers labeled for those helping in the kitchen could put things in there place.
Spoons in the Spoonery. Forks in the Forkery. Spatulas in the Spats. My favorite ~ Wooden things in the "Mostly Wood" container.
Important FYI-"True" commercial grade ranges are not recommended for residential use. Most warranties are voided in a non-commercial application. They have less insulation, which can be dangerous, than residential professional style appliances. Though, commercial grade appliances tend to be less expensive, they are not a good substitute for appliances made specifically for the residential home. Julia gets a pass because she was Julia!!
Source: Smithsonian's National Museum of American History |
|
|
1706 Harbor Drive
Chester, MD 21619
410-349-3282
410-604-2283 |
|
|
|
|
