The goal was to have the charm and character of an old home, but with a modern twist,” says interior designer Catherine Bowen Reed, ASID, IIDA, NCIDQ, of Bradshaw Designs of San Antonio. Building in the cottage district of one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, “they didn’t want their house to stick out.” Traditional Craftsman style was the perfect exterior aesthetic that ultimately translated easily to the interior — starting with the kitchen design.
“The kitchen was very important to them,” says Reed. “They love to entertain, and they wanted an open floor plan for the space.” The adjacent great room and the kitchen were connected, says Reed, by “creating an axis” between the vent hood custom made by Texas Lightsmith of Austin and the fireplace in the living area. “That was the starting point for the design. They wanted functional and practical, but beautiful.”
Next, storage. Moving from a smaller home to this new, just under 3,500-square-foot abode, the homeowners needed ample kitchen storage addressed from the start. Craftsman-style details emerged with flat panels on roomy cabinets and drawers painted in Sherwin-Williams® Repose Gray. The homeowners liked the look so much it was repeated in the living area and beyond. Reed modernized the traditional style with six-foot sleek painted wall panels on almost the entire first floor. Wall paint throughout the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath, two-story home (except the baths) is Pure White by Sherwin-Williams.
Another kitchen must-have was the eye-catching island. Measuring almost 5 by 8 feet with built-in storage, the island embodies a bold paint color choice with Benjamin Moore® Celtic Green and a rich, solid walnut plank countertop from Alamo Hardwoods. Overhead lighting shines from dark bronze pendants from Visual Comfort & Co. Leather barstools are from Crate & Barrel.
The attention-getting island is in stark contrast to the pale cabinets and gleaming countertops in Sea Pearl Quartzite — a juxtaposition that was carefully planned, says Reed. “The ‘Bradshaw look’ of our signature kitchen design is typically light, bright and airy, so we did the light gray and natural stone in the kitchen. But we also wanted to amp it up a bit with dark hardware, bronze lighting and dark-rimmed windows, giving it a timeless appeal with the fresh, updated vibe that our clients wanted.”
Appliances by Wolf® and Sub-Zero® — 48-inch refrigerator, 48-inch range, steam oven, microwave drawer and under counter wine storage — give the couple what Reed describes as “their first grownup kitchen. They were ready for really high-end materials and did not cut corners.” They also installed a Shaws Original apron sink, made in England and handcrafted with a fireclay surface. Hardwood floors in four-inch oak plank complete the rich look, accented by a custom runner.
A warm, welcoming atmosphere is created by layered lighting that includes under cabinet lighting, practical surface lighting for tasks and in-ceiling lighting to illuminate the entire space. The bar is topped by glass-front cabinets that give a clear view of their contents along with easy access to wine storage below. To the left of the bar is a family favorite — a spacious pantry with more counter space and storage for staples and snacks, and a place for the blender that gets a regular workout making quick and healthy smoothies.
Reed says the kitchen is already becoming the gathering place for their growing family. She recently witnessed a heartwarming scene: “When the kids were brought home from school, the first thing they did was run into the kitchen and climb on the barstools. That was their go-to place.” From there, the kitchen flows easily to the living area, where custom hickory armchairs are upholstered in a black and white geometric zig zag for a “fun and funky” touch to a timeless rolled arm style, says Reed. One of Reed’s favorite features of the space is “the way the kitchen and living spaces play with each other.”
The homeowners couldn’t be happier, says Reed. “They were a delight to work with, always open to design input.” The feeling was mutual, as a project that started with the kitchen ended up a whole house design that focused on “Craftsman-cozy and homey, but relevant to their lifestyle.” Thrilled to have the luxury kitchen of their dreams, the family has settled in for the long haul. “They wanted something they could live in forever,” says Reed, “and this is their forever home.”
Bradshaw Designs LLC
210-824-1535 | www.bradshawdesigns.com