Kitchen Magic

 Xavier Teixido brought home ideas from the kitchens of his two restaurants: Harry’s Savoy Grill and Harry’s Seafood Grill. But he and wife, Nina, turned to designer Catherine Hodgins of Kitchens By Design to create a professional but country-style kitchen that was roomy enough for the entire family to cook in. That mission was accomplished by blending black granite counters with yellowish-green Shaker-style cabinets, adding vintage bronze hardware, and installing a skylight at center. A pro like Teixido needed two islands. The one closest to the Wolf range is topped in butcher block, with storage for dishes and cookware below. The second island has a raised counter of polished uba tuba granite, which can be purchased at Bath, Kitchen & Tile Center (Wilmington, 992-9210; Harbeson, 684-5691).

Blending cabinet woods and finishes is a trend in kitchen design. Jen and Dave Mench designed their Wilmington space to combine Kahle cabinets in antique white and an island in cherry with butternut finish. The Elkay undermount sink is flanked by Giallo ornamental granite countertops, and the Emporio medallion above the stove is framed by travertine mosaic tile.

 

 

 

The rustic kitchen by Dewson Construction lives inside a chateau country estate home in Greenville. The massive room feels cozy thanks to the blended stone and brick fireplace with raised hearth, log box, built-in flatscreen, and reclaimed oak mantel. The rafters are supported by two logs that were split, hollowed out, then put back together. The range area features a glazed plaster hood and a custom mosaic tile pattern with an iron inlay. The wide plank floor is made of reclaimed yellow pine.

 

Kate and David Lyons’ Rehoboth Beach kitchen by Kitchens By Design is considered a transitional style. The space has few cabinets because the Lyonses wanted windows that rendered spectacular views. Maple Woodharbor cabinets with honey stain complement the Golden Sun granite with 4-inch backsplash under the windows. The island is designed for table-like seating, but is counter height for cooking. The gas cook-top features a stainless steel full height backsplash.

 

 

 

 

Steve Zedrick and Kate Cronan’s West Chester kitchen is by Don Holcomb of Holcomb Kitchens. Special features include a large mantel hood in fireside cherry matte with a black glaze distressing package. Tumbled marble tiles border the juparana Bordeaux granite countertops.

 

   

 

When Dennis Forbes closes his Cool Springs Fish Bar & Restaurant in Dover, he and his wife, Carolyn, head to their vacation home in Rehoboth Beach. Forbes designed this professional galley kitchen with architect Hue Grant of Hue Architecture in Wilmington. “I wanted to keep it simple,” says Forbes. “I’ve spent my life working in a small space, so everything needed to be within reach.” Carolyn found the lovely art pieces at various beach shops. The speckled Corian counters blend with natural cherry cabinets and similarly hued pendant lights from The Light House in Lewes. A lowered countertop beneath the window is used as a baker’s station, where Forbes rolls dough for his famous pizzas. The raised nook is for show. Forbes’ guests love to sit and watch him cook.

  

 

 

 

 

To make their long and narrow Chadds Ford kitchen seem wider, Janice and Kurt Fetzer, along with Kitchens By Design, installed two wide islands. The banquette was designed by local musician Ron Lucca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This kitchen by Dewson Construction features a custom table made from a walnut tree slab and a mahogany island with Macassar ebony panels. European pewter countertops complement ceiling beams made of distressed white oak.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marianne and Gene Battaglia’s kitchen in Rehoboth Beach, also by Kitchens By Design, features two islands in juparana florenza granite and black absolute.