Monday, May 10, 2010

Visual Comfort

~Chapter Five: Wining and Dining~

Old house restoration is often a balancing act between creating a museum and creating a comfortable home.  Just as there are levels of skill based designers and craftspeople today, so it was with the past.  Even famous architects do not always produce great works.

This kitchen was originally design for a staff of well sequestered servants.  My clients on the other hand love to spend time in their kitchen, cooking and entertaining.  Not to mention the French doors that open directly to the courtyard, gardens, koi ponds, grilling and outdoor dining areas

Taking my cue from the French doors with an arched stain glass transom in the adjacent conservatory room, this area gave me lots of opportunity to add graceful arches and curved seating which soften an otherwise utilitarian room.

Photos – clockwise from top left:     1.  Before photo eating and storage area      2.  Tear down and opening up of new dining area      3.   The new French doors and eating counter with a glimpse of the beautiful outdoors.   4.  Custom designed banquet with built-in bookshelves and radiator cover.  The kitchen table was co-designed by myself and craftsman Ed Marris in a unique blend of English and Beidermeir style.  The table was built from an old Walnut tree from the property.

~The finished photos are posted in the Photo Gallery of my website – www.robinmuto.com

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