Kitchen

shelf/brackets

Q

Gray paint option

Q

Kitchen at a GlanceWho lives here: Phoebe Lovejoy Russell; her husband, Peter Russell; and their 9-month-old sonLocation: Cambridge, MassachusettsSize: About 450 square feet (42 square meters)Russell wanted to keep the appliances and cabinets sleek and clean-lined; she tucked the refrigerator, dishwasher and pantry behind matching cabinetry. “The cabinets fade away because they are crisp, clean and white,” she says. An awkward 9-foot-high freestanding closet once divided the kitchen from the dining room; the ceilings are 11 feet, 3 inches high, so it just floated oddly and clunked up the space. Russell’s intervention united the rooms into one pleasing space that now has an eat-in kitchen that also serves as a formal dining area. The new island is 8 feet long and includes a dishwasher and microwave drawer on one side, and storage for linens, small appliances, mixing bowls, platters and more on the other. It’s also become a handy spot for stashing baby stuff, she says.Photos by Michael J. Lee Photography

Q

The kitchen table. The essential kitchen table completed the Victorian kitchen. Instead of being a place to eat, it sat in the center of the room as the main work area. It isn't too surprising that work islands are so popular today — the ease of working in the center of a room and retrieving items stored around the edges comes from Victorian homes. Choose a contrasting color to the wall units to break up uniformity and make the table stand out as the work area.

Q

The chimney. It makes the ideal — and traditional — home for your range and oven. You can find modern ranges available in a huge array of colors today. For me, this kitchen strikes the perfect note for an austere Victorian kitchen brought up to date, thanks to the introduction of the red Aga.

Q

A mix of lighting sources anchors multiple prep spaces in this traditional kitchen. Traditional sconces break up a majestic oversize backsplash and light the counter below, while lantern-style pendants help anchor the island and light the second sink.

Q

Bar stools

Q

Next home!

Q

pendants

Q

4. Toss any food that's expired. "You will be amazed by the amount of space this one act alone will clear up," Klimala says.5. Remove items you use less than twice a year and store them in another area. This includes cookbooks. "Pick your top five to 10 favorite cookbooks," she suggests. "Then store the rest elsewhere or donate."Tip: If you're holding on to a cookbook for a single go-to recipe, photocopy the page and then pass the book along to someone else.

Q

3. Remove multiples, broken items and pieces you simply don't like or use. Donate, regift or toss them. "You don't need six mixing bowls," Klimala emphasizes. "You just don't."

Q

Mini pendant

Q

Light fixtures

Q

Light fixture

Q