Kitchen of the Week: Warm Up By the Fire
Dark cabinetry, warm woods, and a counter-height hearth make this Portland kitchen special
Staff Writer, Houzz.com
Staff Writer, Houzz.com More »
Having a fireplace smack-dab in the middle of her kitchen wasn't initially on Houzz user Carole Meyer's remodel wishlist, but after visiting a friend's vacation home in Mexico, she knew it was a must-have. Her friend's home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico had two opposing fireplaces in a long living room.
Meyer was struck by their dramatic look and decided to install one fireplace in her kitchen and one on the opposing wall in her living room. The warmth of the fireplace is echoed in her kitchen's rustic cabinetry, flooring and backsplash. "I didn't want any stainless steel in my kitchen," she says. "I wanted a more mellow look, because our house is a little Old-World-meets-modern.'"
More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens
Meyer was struck by their dramatic look and decided to install one fireplace in her kitchen and one on the opposing wall in her living room. The warmth of the fireplace is echoed in her kitchen's rustic cabinetry, flooring and backsplash. "I didn't want any stainless steel in my kitchen," she says. "I wanted a more mellow look, because our house is a little Old-World-meets-modern.'"
More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens
Meyer's rich, ebony cabinetry was custom made by a Portland-based company. The lighter wood accents surrounding the range hood are ebonized oak with a clear finish. To pay further tribute to her inspiration in San Miguel de Allende, Meyer picked up dark iron knobs and pulls from a store in the small, Mexican town. All of the appliances — except for the stove — were faced with wood cabinetry. "Since the kitchen can be seen from the living room, I really didn't want it to look like a kitchen at all," she says.
Cabinetry: Simon & Toney in Portland, Oregon.
Pulls and knobs: La Casa del Inquisador in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Range: Wolf
Countertop: Kashmere Gold granite
Private Comment
Cabinetry: Simon & Toney in Portland, Oregon.
Pulls and knobs: La Casa del Inquisador in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Range: Wolf
Countertop: Kashmere Gold granite
The black finish on the cabinets was applied in layers, leaving the natural tone of the wood slightly visible under the dark wash, creating a beautiful sense of depth.
This custom dish rack sits directly across from Meyer's dishwasher, which makes cleaning easier. Most of these dishes on display are from San Miguel de Allende — some new, others antiques.
Private Comment
This custom dish rack sits directly across from Meyer's dishwasher, which makes cleaning easier. Most of these dishes on display are from San Miguel de Allende — some new, others antiques.
The small, cast-stone fireplace is the true focal point of the kitchen, but was somewhat of a challenge to install since the kitchen is only 13' x 17'. Despite the difficulties that came with installation, it was well worth it — the fireplace is Meyer and her husband's favorite part of the kitchen.
"We love to come in and sit down in the morning and read the newspaper next to the fireplace," she says. "We designed our home to focus on the outdoors, so when I'm sitting here or cooking, I can enjoy these views completely."
Fireplace: Napa Valley Cast Stone and Venezia Fireplace Surrounds
Wall color: Vanilla Ice Cream by Benjamin Moore
Barstools: Pier 1
Private Comment
"We love to come in and sit down in the morning and read the newspaper next to the fireplace," she says. "We designed our home to focus on the outdoors, so when I'm sitting here or cooking, I can enjoy these views completely."
Fireplace: Napa Valley Cast Stone and Venezia Fireplace Surrounds
Wall color: Vanilla Ice Cream by Benjamin Moore
Barstools: Pier 1
The golden backsplash is made with marble tile, which Meyer hand-finished with Briwax for a unique color and texture. "I really wanted a warm, honey color," she says. "So I played around with the wax technique, and it worked out great!"
Pre-stained hickory floors with a hand-scraped finish add to the warmth and patina of the space.
Backsplash: Crema Marfil marble
Flooring: Mullican
Private Comment
Pre-stained hickory floors with a hand-scraped finish add to the warmth and patina of the space.
Backsplash: Crema Marfil marble
Flooring: Mullican
The main sink is on the kitchen island, but Meyer also had a smaller sink installed on the coffee bar near the rear of the kitchen — an area they call the "coffee shrine." Meyer also installed a small refrigerator in this area to make the morning coffee process even smoother.
Although they might look like fluorescent lights in these photos, most of the light in this kitchen actually comes from three large skylights. The natural Northwest light is perfect for during the day, while recessed spot lights provide plenty of lighting at night.
Have a great kitchen of your own? We want to see it! Upload a photo below, and your space could be our next Houzz Kitchen of the Week.
More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens
Private Comment
Although they might look like fluorescent lights in these photos, most of the light in this kitchen actually comes from three large skylights. The natural Northwest light is perfect for during the day, while recessed spot lights provide plenty of lighting at night.
Have a great kitchen of your own? We want to see it! Upload a photo below, and your space could be our next Houzz Kitchen of the Week.
More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens
Comments
Alicia says:
a great focal point would be a Tuscan tile mural backsplash. Here is a gorgeous mural I designed for my client
http://www.aliciaTappdesigns.com
http://www.aliciaTappdesigns.com
8 months ago ·
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newmouse says:
I would love to see a photo of the coffee shrine! The kitchen is beautiful.
8 months ago ·
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Karen Heffernan says:
Beautiful, so warm and inviting. The patina gives it a lot of character. Lovely.
8 months ago ·
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mareilmar says:
It's very beautiful, however, the fireplace seems to feel like the elephant in the room.
8 months ago ·
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rdonal says:
The rich, understatement in design is what makes this kitchen so wonderful. Nothing too fussy....just warmth and great style. Tho this kitchen is dark (in contrast to the white limestone often found with small strokes of color) it reminds me of many I see in rural parts of Europe. Exquisite!
8 months ago ·
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dancingfish says:
Does that fireplace "sit" on the counter/table??? Seems like a hazzard? No screen?
8 months ago ·
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janway says:
Would have liked a different color range. stainless steel is so clinical and cold.
8 months ago ·
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I love the fireplace and it's location. Having it at eye level instead of on the ground, and the lamps flanking it makes this room feel more like living space than a kitchen. For those worried about an open fireplace, remember there is stone in front of it (island) and they can always put a small iron screen there if they felt the need, but not put it in the photos.
My other favorite thing about this room is the finish on the cabinets. With so much depth and character, they look to be hundreds of years old. I bet it looks fantastic when you see the whole space (both living room and kitchen) together!
My other favorite thing about this room is the finish on the cabinets. With so much depth and character, they look to be hundreds of years old. I bet it looks fantastic when you see the whole space (both living room and kitchen) together!
8 months ago ·
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CAROLE MEYER says:
Thank you for all the nice comments on our kitchen. I enjoy reading the comments and am happy that people see what it is that I tried to achieve in this kitchen. I wanted a mellow old European look.....nothing over the top or fancy. The fireplace is not as big as it may seem in the photos. It actually in not an elephant in the room but the centerpiece of the room. The ceilings are 10 feet tall and the peninsula is larger than it appears in the photos. The fireplace is a Rumford design and does not sit on the counter but is set back into the wall. Our home is all new ICF construction so the walls are about one foot thick which makes the house very quiet inside. I am in Paris right now living my six weeks in Paris dream (on my bucket list) and when I get back to Portland I will get busy and take some photos of the rest of the house and post them. Again, thanks for the nice comments. Carole Meyer
8 months ago ·
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