Kitchen Ideas for a Lived-In Space
Materials that gracefully show wear—pine floors, mahogany counters—are key to a Los Angeles design team's aesthetic.
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We've all been programmed to strive for perfection when it comes to creating kitchens," says L.A. architect Steve Giannetti (giannettiarchitects.com). "But kitchens aren't for performing surgery—they don't have to be perfect and antiseptic." Giannetti and his wife, Brooke, an interior designer, ignore convention and go for a more natural, time-worn look in the kitchen. They purposefully use materials that change with age, like Calcutta marble walls, mahogany countertops and pine floors—despite the protests of clients who fear dents, scratches and cracks. Steve reassures them: "We even have a wood floor outside our shower, and it's perfectly fine." Here, the Giannettis explain how they use design elements to give kitchens a lived-in feel. "If you wrap your sofa in plastic, it's going to be perfect," Steve says. "But who wants to live like that?"
Kitchen Ideas: Details
1. Lighting
The Giannettis always choose surface-mounted ceiling lights. "The effect is much warmer," says Brooke. For a client's house in L.A. (above, right), the duo illuminate the prep island with a pair of metal Hudson Valley Pelham pendants ($850 each; 1800lighting.com) and use Kellogg fixtures ($85) with hexagonal glass shades ($28) for the rest of the space. rejuvenation.com.
2. Countertops
The prep island has a mahogany counter; the rest of the countertops are granite, as is the sink.
3. Cabinets
The cabinets on either side of the stove hood have glass doors in front and windows in the back. "It's a way to add more light in the kitchen without giving up storage," says Steve.
4. Counter Seats
The Giannettis like to mix antique pieces with industrial ones, like stainless steel chairs from a medical supply store ($450; medplususa.com).
Kitchen Ideas: At Home with L.A. Design Stars
Photo © Tracey Landworth
1. Storage
"Corners are such a dead space," Steve says. So for their own kitchen, the Giannettis created corner cabinets with extra depth to hide appliances, like a microwave and toaster.
2. Ceiling
A Victorian-inspired pressed-tin ceiling is painted white. "It's so easy to install," Steve says. From $2 per sq ft; thetinman.com.
3. Undercounter Refrigerator
Instead of storing bottles of wine, the Giannettis' GE Monogram undercounter fridge holds kids' lunches and leftovers. $1,600; ge.com.
4. Butcher Block Island
"We chop and otherwise prep ingredients directly on the kitchen island's maple-wood top and let the finish wear off," says Steve. "We really like the way the surface looks as it has aged."
5. Farmhouse Sink
The Giannettis prefer a big, single-basin sink like this Rohl Shaw fireclay model, which has been produced in England since the 1890s ($900; rohlhome.com). "I don't understand double sinks. Neither side is ever big enough," Steve says. The linen skirt under the sink and the decorative molding add a retro feel.
Kitchen Ideas: Patina By Design
Steve and Brooke Giannetti's new book, Patina Style, documents their design aesthetic— a vintage look created with modern materials. Their go-to pieces:
Lighting Brooke likes the retro look and warm light of the Boston surface-mount ceiling fixture. $168; circalighting.com. Courtesy of Circa Lighting
Pantry Doors Coppa produces hundreds of screen-door styles. The Giannettis use them as pantry doors, often adding glass and a coat of paint. From $70; coppawoodworking.com. Courtesy of Coppa Wood Working
Linens "We love linens by Libeco, especially in colors like 'fog,' 'oyster' and 'natural,' " says Brooke. She and Steve used "natural" for their sink skirt. Courtesy of Libeco Home
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