People with years of fashion experience have a completely different perspective when assessing a home’s potential. Like creating a fine garment or composing a well-rounded collection, they look at the construction and areas with room for improvement with a sharp, creative eye. That was the case when an English-born buyer with a long career in the fashion industry found a gem in Fairfield County that had good bones but clearly required a makeover.
Before even purchasing the property, she prudently brought in Nukitchens to consult on how the house could be reconfigured and elevated. Listening to her wish list, the renowned design firm immediately had exciting ideas to beautifully transform the dark and drab kitchen. Confident in their skills and their vision, the client swiftly moved to secure this diamond in the rough for her young, active family.
Nukitchens designer Pippa J. Ellis headed the project, which was all about creating an airy space and prioritizing symmetry and simplicity. This description couldn’t be further than what the old kitchen represented. Its dark cherry wood cabinetry, orange-hued tile, and wallpaper all needed to go so they could start to fashion a fresh, tranquil environment.
The stylish homeowner, revered for her exquisite taste, was heavily involved in all the details of the kitchen remodel. Joseph Najmy, founder of Nukitchens, recalls, “The client has a high-level aesthetic and contributed great input on the size and functionality of the island, requirements for the pantry, and refrigeration. Pippa worked closely with them to develop the design which, in part, resulted in one-of-a-kind elements like the white oak furniture piece at the end of the island and the custom hood details.”
Indeed, between Pippa and the client’s expertise, there was no question the finished space would exemplify the highest caliber of kitchen design and utility. Especially since the skilled, well-coordinated Nukitchens team executed the project from start to finish, including all construction and installation.
Custom and fine finishes were implemented wherever possible to make every corner bespoke and thoughtful while still adhering to a less-is-more design philosophy. Karin Nakashima—Nukitchens‘ tile, decorative hardware, and accessories designer—curated the backsplash, which displays creamy glazed tiles from the Spirit Collection of Dal-Tile. With a rustic edge and a ‘soldiered row’ of bottom tiles on the range wall, what could just have been typical, run-of-the-mill white tiles end up giving the space subtle, show-stopping radiance.
Top Knobs in Honey Bronze finish a mix of cup pulls and globe knobs for the hardware. When it came to the countertops, Imperial Danby Marble was chosen for the island to give it distinctive, standalone flair while Fresh Concrete Quartz from Caesarstone is the perfect complement picked for the kitchen perimeter and pantry.
The handmade, Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry is arguably most pivotal to the overall look. It sets the tone for a warm and elegant atmosphere with custom paint, a light stain on white oak solid wood, and a custom-designed and custom-built wood hood over the range.
This dream-like cabinetry hugs Wolf and True appliances. Ready for any occasion, from weeknight family dinners to boisterous holiday gatherings, the space is all set for high-performance cooking and food storage. This includes top organization methods that streamline its functionality. Every spice has its place in a convenient drawer right next to the range. The pantry with doors allows the client to tuck away must-have snacks and cooking essentials, while the refrigerator takes the opposite approach. A glass door makes the fresh produce inside part of the room’s decor, providing natural pops of color with the strawberries, kale, or radishes that will surely find a home there throughout the seasons.
It’s nearly impossible to find a fault in this new yet timeless design that strikes all the right notes. With Nukitchens project manager Doug Hoffman at the helm, taking care of every aspect from plumbing and electrical reconfiguration to lighting and flooring installation, the kitchen is pristine down to the millimeter and ready to be cherished for years to come.
A fourth-generation business, Nukitchens lives to give clients kitchens that are polished, unique, and reflective of all their wants and needs. Najmy shares, “We’ve been a family business since 1956. My grandfather, Philip Farran, started renovating brownstones in Brooklyn in the early 1900s. His family of eight children learned the value of hard work and the importance of creating a home life.” A passion for design and beauty in the home has trickled down from there. “My mother became a trained interior designer and my father developed his skills as a master furniture craftsman. This tradition is carried out today at my company with my daughter, Gabriella.”
To work with the Nukitchens team on creating your dream home, visit nukitchens.com and reach out to schedule a consultation.