New Old Lakefront Kitchen

When designing a lake house, it is best to connect with nature—not compete with it. "In everything we did, we tried to enhance the beautiful surroundings and keep all eyes on the view," says Atlanta designer Yvonne McFadden, who worked on this house with architect Keith Summerour. Comfort and practicality were also key. "The clients wanted space to host at least 12 of their friends and family," she says. Their design combines an airy, open floor plan (including a wall of windows that faces the water) with a rich mix of natural materials for a space that marries function and style.

Tucked between the refrigerator and freezer is a bar area used for preparing coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening. The upper cabinet stores glasses and stemware.

The range hood was given the same soft gray tongue-and-groove shiplap treatment as the walls for a seamless look. "We wanted unobstructed views to keep the eye going," says Yvonne.

In keeping with the clean, linear look of the walls, Yvonne chose minimalist, 2-inch-thick wood shelves and painted them the same color as the walls. "It feels more casual," she says.

Instead of a stain, Yvonne used only a matte polyurethane to finish the reclaimed white oak island. "I wanted it to look as natural as possible," she says.

• Deep Seating Durable taupe leather cushions soften the metal Klismos Luxe chairs by Restoration Hardware (rh.com). The curved legs and backs mimic the shape of the light fixture above.
• Trestle Table Yvonne designed the dining table with entertaining in mind. Made from quarter-sawn reclaimed white oak, the table is 11 feet long to seat at least 10.
• Wall of Windows At 8 feet tall, the mahogany-framed windows and transoms give the space the feeling of an old porch that has been enclosed.
• Large-Scale Lighting An iron chandelier, designed by Yvonne, provides ambience but doesn't obstruct the view. The simple iron arms match the relaxed feel of the room.
• Exposed Beams Rustic wood on the ceiling echoes the antique heart-pine floors below and also counterbalances the tailored look of the light gray-painted shiplap walls.

• What Gives a New Kitchen Old Soul? Integrating reclaimed materials and found objects into your design.
• Upper Cabinets—Do or Don't? I say don't. Going without them creates a more laid-back feel.
• Easiest Quick Fix: Update the hardware. It's something simple you can do in only an afternoon, but it has such a major impact.
• Best Kitchen Splurge: A faucet can be like a piece of statement jewelry. I love the Kallista For Town faucet, designed by Michael S. Smith.
• Biggest Design Myth: That white kitchens go out of style. I believe they're timeless.
• Favorite Kitchen Trend: Trends are a big no-no for me. I like to keep the look classic.
• A Kitchen Isn't Complete Without... Potted herbs. They smell fresh and clean, and you can cut from them while cooking!