Photo: Susan Fredman & Associates
“I recently redid my own kitchen. Having lived in the Third World for much of my youth, the furniture I had collected was informal, hand-hewn, and somewhat rustic. But because I also wanted a contemporary edge, I used a mixture of materials in the kitchen.
"The cherry cabinets’ Shaker style is actually quite modern in feel and I added cross-reeded glass fronts to the upper cabinets to increase this effect. Stainless steel appliances and fixtures further add a touch of crisp modernism. But on the countertops, instead of a polished stone, I chose a honed slate, in keeping with the humble feel of the caramel-colored unfilled travertine floor. Three rectangular windows in a row above the sink open the kitchen architecturally to the living room and contribute to an informal lifestyle.
"Because we live in a cold climate with plenty of gray days, all the colors are warm, punctuated by a luscious red that is echoed in the foods I leave out to look at and tomatoes, peppers and apples.”
Designer: Carly Sax
Susan Fredman & Associates
Northbrook, Illinois
www.susanfredman.com
