If home is where the heart is, it’s not surprising that our kitchens are where we perform the most heartfelt tasks—whether preparing a family meal, pulling together a party-worthy spread or simply fixing a s andwich. Traditional, farmhouse, contemporary— our kitchens often reflect our personal style and the way we like to entertain.
Today’s bathrooms are also getting more love.
Similar to kitchens, they can be both functional and stylish, re-imagined as spaces where we can retreat and relax.
Each of the kitchens and baths featured in this year’s kitchen and bath showcase beautifully meets its owners’ needs. From kitchens created specifically for entertaining to a masterfully renovated master bathroom, these spaces are well-designed and aesthetically pleasing.
A MODERN FARMHOUSE
Simplicity meets sophistication in this Portsmouth farmhouse kitchen—a goal PK Surrounding interior designers Janice Page and Rebecca Dillman brought to life through the use of clean lines, organic elements, soft color palettes and fun architectural details.
“Janice and I wanted to take [the homeowners’] dated and visually overwhelming kitchen and remodel it to reflect their personal style with the rest of the house,” Dillman says. “We used classic farmhouse elements—like floating shelves and a farmhouse sink—to support the shiplap on the island and hood, and also added a touch of rustic warmth through the antique reclaimed beam created by our contractor, Keith West.”
The exposed beam anchors the design, adding character and texture to the space, and a black window was added for an element of drama. Rustic oak floors replaced the floor tile, and were carried into the design of the custom hood and floating shelves. A mix of white and dark-gray cabinets allow the gold-toned hardware to stand out. The team even added a pantry cabinet and tea bar for the owners’ children to use for snack storage and afternoon tea with guests.
Each detail was carefully considered and placed to make the space more inviting and flow into the rest of the home. “The organic flow of the countertop and backsplash gives movement to the space in contrast with the strong linear lines found elsewhere,” Dillman says. “The touches of wood found in the hood valance, beam, flooring and bar stools add warmth, and the beaded chandelier adds a fun touch to the space and reflects the movement found in the backsplash.”
Not only is the design comfortable, clean and bright, it’s practical. “It was crucial for the kitchen to not only look great but function well,” Dillman says. “The custom hood was designed and installed with the husband’s height in mind, and we added a few low storage drawers so the kids could reach their snacks and cups. The large island seats a large family, and has become the main place for their family to eat and play. Even the quartz countertops are durable and easy to keep clean. The whole space is fun but functional.”
From the backsplash to the island chairs, the elements and details in this modern kitchen make a statement without being too bold.
Adding touches of color with small accessories, such as the gold hardware, gives the homeowner the flexibility to change the design over time.
The family and team at PK Surroundings couldn’t be happier with the final result— the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication. “As a personal friend, I have the opportunity to visit and see the family using the space,” Dillman says. “Seeing the kids gather around the island for lunchtime makes me happy that we could provide them with this wonderful remodel.”
Photography by Rob Karosis
A CLASSIC COLONIAL MASTER SUITE
Sometimes a renovation involves letting the space speak for itself, which is exactly what the team at TMS Architects/Interiors had in mind when designing this master closet and bath.
“The original home dates back to the 1800s, so it had its fair share of renovations,” project architect Robert Carty says.
“Our goal was to extend their master closet and bath by taking over the space of a fourth bedroom and combining them together.” The color palette involved simple whites and grays to keep the rooms airy, modern and peaceful, with a feel of simplified traditional and classical styles to reflect the history of the home.
The new closet includes oak flooring that was stained dark to tie into the flooring throughout the rest of the home. The new dressing room showcases a large wall to display shoes and handbags, and has a variety of storage options and accessory pullouts for scarves, jewelry and garments.
“We added lighting into the shelving units to make sure there wasn’t a lot of glare and hot spots throughout the space,” interior designer Cristina Johnson says. “We aimed for [the lighting] to invoke a sense of softness to help transition from one part of the closet to the next, especially into the bathroom—like with the perimeter-lit LED mirrors.”
The master bath features a long double vanity and tall built-in medicine cabinets with a free-standing sculptural tub that complements the newly added windows. The chevron tile wainscoting is a Calcutta gold marble that blends in with the floor and large shower, which took the place of the guest bath with dual wall showerheads and a center rain-shower panel.
Simple whites and grays were used to keep the spaces airy, modern and peaceful.
In addition to custom millwork, the team at TMS Architects/ Interiors assisted in selecting paint, tile, countertops, cabinet and door hardware, lighting and plumbing fixtures, window treatments and some furnishings.
Carty’s clients say the renovation was exactly what they wanted. “They are now able to walk in, feel organized and tranquil, and enjoy the little luxuries,” Carty says.
Photography by Rob Karosis
LAYERS OF HISTORY
Most homeowners have a style in mind to inspire them throughout the design process, but not Jen Jackson. “I was going for the opposite,” Jackson says. “I didn’t want to date—or outdate—myself by following any trends.”
“I think the words I would choose to describe my home would be ‘collected over time.’ I really wanted to convey the family history and make it feel like a generational home that pays tribute to my New Hampshire roots, while also creating a place for my kids and grandkids to one day call home themselves.”
Jackson and her family are the fifth generation to spend their summers on Lake Winnipesaukee. When it came time for her to design her dream vacation home in Wolfeboro, she wanted to take risks, play around with the design and incorporate her personality into the home. Jackson partnered with Wood & Clay, Inc. to bring her vision to life.
“We offered our expertise and input to ensure that her ideas would come to life in a way that were both aesthetically pleasing and durable,” Wood & Clay owner and President Kevin Beland says. “For example, we steered her toward a walnut top for her island countertop and shelves because we knew the end result would achieve the unique look she was looking for while also stand the test of time in a busy kitchen.”
The kitchen reflects Jackson’s “writer’s cabin” inspiration, and design elements from various eras—the ’40s, ’60s and ’70s—can be found in the delicate details and bold use of color.
“The unlacquered brass faucet was my ode to the nautical, the navy stripes were my neutrals, the countertop was my midcentury kick, the spinning stools were a fun dinerfeel addition, and the acrylic panels on the refrigerator were my modern version of the vintage enamel appliances,” Jackson says.
Bold design choices complement classic New England architecture in this unique home overlooking the water.
“I love everything about my kitchen, but my favorite design element has to be the cozy seating area,” Jackson says. “Not only is it an easy way to add a quick pop of color to balance the room out, but everyone is drawn to the kitchen because that is where the action is. I think the kids have spent more time snuggling on the love seat with a book than anywhere else in the house.”
When the project was finished, Jackson was left with a fun, casual home overlooking the water, complete with natural wood details, classic New England architecture and additional finishes to elevate the house—a timeless vacation spot for her family to enjoy for years to come.
Photography by Joyelle West
A EUROPEAN-INSPIRED SPA
Many homeowners are inspired by their current surroundings when moving through the design process, but Daniela Stake was inspired by life’s roads less traveled.
“The style I was looking for was something similar to my time spent in Europe,” Stake says. “I was going for simple and modern. I didn’t want anything too ornate, or feminine or masculine. ” Contractor John Harding, of Image Contracting, turned Stake’s vision into reality by focusing the project on style and practicality. For the bathroom, “Our aim was to bring in the European styles that the homeowners were familiar with through the lighted mirrors, towel warmer and sleek tile design,” Harding says. “We also added extra details like a faux bamboo finish on the cabinetry and heated floor, and added a sense of consistency across the space by carrying the countertop over to the shower with the piece in the corner.”
Everything in the bathroom takes simplicity up a notch, from the linear drain in the shower, to the LED lighting above the mirrors, to the solid-surface tub and wavetextured tile. There’s even blue LED lighting below the floating vanity that Stake can control from her phone. The goal? A bathroom that is fun, but functional.
Style and practicality drove the vision of this bathroom redesign. Changes, like a new casement window, under-vanity-lighting and radient floor heating enhance the space.
“I picked strong, dark-gray floors with stone lines, but contrasted them with light wall tiles with soft waves and smooth tiles in the shower,” Stake says. “I choose a bamboo color for the cabinets to bring some warm colors into the bathroom. It’s great to be able to bring pieces of the places I’ve been home with me. I could not have asked for a better team around me and a finished product.”
Photography by Morgan Karanasios
A SIMPLIFIED SHAKER KITCHEN
Warmth and simplicity were the focus for this Martha’s Vineyard project—goals that Sullivan & Associates and TC Pierce Enterprises were able to execute, alongside the homeowner’s vision, through the use of clean lines, natural lighting and neutral color schemes.
“The goal for the remodel was to bring as much light into the house as possible while also taking advantage of the water views,” homeowner Halsted Sullivan says. “Since the house is also a rental, we wanted it to feel like a summer retreat that’s both warm and inviting, yet simple to maintain. The majority of the walls are Simply White by Benjamin Moore, which gives the house an airy feel.
To further that effect, we stripped the original pine floors and gave them a Scandinavian whitewash.”
Vermont Cabinetry designed cabinets for this modern, Shakerinspired kitchen.
White walls and ceiling, combined with a light finish on the floors and darker cabinets, all help reflect natural light into the space. The kitchen skylights and clerestory windows allow an abundance of light, and are grounded by Vermont Cabinetry modern Shaker-style cabinets painted in Farrow and Ball Mole’s Breath. Black granite countertops hide everyday wear and tear, and the warm, neutral color scheme pops against the wall or lush green trees seen through the exterior windows.
Exposed beams anchor the room, adding character to the space, among other little details.
“The original house was built in the 1930s, and we didn’t want the renovation to make it feel like a new build,” Sullivan says. “We chose to add other pops of character with the vintage-green mercuryglass pendants from Italy as well as the aged brass sconces over the windows. Since there was so much architectural interest in the kitchen, we chose a white hand-painted tile with gray undertones for the backsplash and stove hood that marries the cabinet color to the walls.”
All parties couldn’t be happier with the finished product and renovation. “It’s comfortable and cozy with clean lines, and our tenants love it too,” Sullivan says. “Almost everyone who rents it wants to come back for additional weeks the next summer. The biggest drawback is that there are not more weeks in the summer to rent.” NHH
Photography by Bob Gothard
RESOURCES FOR KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGNERS AND BUILDERS
A Modern Farmhouse
PKsurroundings • Exeter • (603) 817-6347 • pksurroundings.com
A Classic Colonial Master Suite
TMS Architects/Interiors • Portsmouth • (603) 436-4274 • tmsarchitects.com
Layers of History
Wood & Clay • Gilford • (603) 524-3128 • woodandclay.com
A European-Inspired Spa
Image Contracting • Bedford • (603) 716-1522 • imagecontractingnh.com
A Simplified Shaker Kitchen
Vermont Cabinetry • Walpole • (802) 463-9930 • vermontcustomcabinetry.com
