A Design Revealed
The Clarks' new kitchen is carved out of a breakfast room, butler's pantry, and the old kitchen. Placing the appliances was the first step. "Space determined the location of the appliances," says Ginger. "I wanted the sink to stay where it was because I loved looking out." Plus, keeping plumbing in place when doing this type of project is often the most cost-effective and simple option. "We started by dividing the kitchen into different functions," says Cyndy. "A cooking area, a vegetable prep area, and a cleanup space. The cooking area is anchored by the stove, vegetable prep with a small sink near the refrigerator, and finally the cleanup area is between the two with a large sink and dishwasher."
Ginger knew the look she wanted. "It was important for the renovation to stay in character with our house," she says. "I wanted a kitchen that reminded me of my childhood home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We had lots of stainless steel and drain boards on either side of a big sink. This house dictated the cabinet color. Dark cabinets didn't feel right to me, so we went with white. But I love pretty wood, and that's why we added the cypress island. I wanted it to look like furniture."
Even though the objective was to blend old and new seamlessly, Ginger also looked to the future. She incorporated elements that would never be found in a 1920s-era home, yet they don't seem out of place at all. The modern light fixtures bring a bit of whimsy
as well as great task lighting. She found lightweight, stackable chairs for the breakfast room and knew they were just offbeat enough to work. Finally, she hung a dramatic French art poster that enlivens the space.
The kitchen is the heart of the Southern home. As Ginger and Cyndy have proven, you can combine form and function to create a great room for living.
