Interior designer Jen Cavorsi adored the brass trend as soon as it surfaced, so when it was time to renovate the kitchen of her Milton home, there was no question that brass details would be the starting point. Working with a palette of white, brass, pale wood, and shades of gray, Cavorsi, author of The Style Nest blog, created a functional kitchen that mixes classic styling with standout details, all on a budget. By relocating the range from one side of the room to the other (there was an existing gas line next to the sink), Cavorsi was able to add a roomy banquette that fits up to four kids. Removing a wall allowed for a pantry, which eliminated the need for upper cabinets. A broom closet was lost, but a wine fridge was gained. “My husband really wanted one, and it’s perfect for storing juice boxes, too,” she says. “Everyone’s happy.”
1. Warm gold specks in the Calacatta marble countertop (a splurge) play perfectly with the kitchen’s brass elements.
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2. The Delta faucet in a champagne bronze finish has clean lines and statement-making appeal at a reasonable price.
3. Cavorsi removed upper cabinets on either side of the windows, favoring the cleaner look and easy access of open shelving re-purposed from the kitchen’s former butcher-block countertop.
4. Brass sconces from Schoolhouse Electric add interest to the top of the room. Plus, Cavorsi says, “It’s great task lighting when we don’t want to turn on the recessed lights.”
5. By taking down a wall, Cavorsi was able to add a pantry. Rather than ordering custom-size cabinets, the carpenter added trim around standard ones (painted Benjamin Moore Cape May Cobblestone) for a built-in look.
6. Cole & Son “Woods” wallpaper lines the niche that leads to the basement and powder room, which is tucked behind the pantry.
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7. Since the kitchen wasn’t large enough to accommodate an island, Cavorsi designed a 36-inch-high table, made by attaching metal legs to a piece of butcher block; it also serves as an extra work surface.
8. Bistro stools from Serena & Lily are seriously comfortable and provide a more finished look than backless bar stools.
9. Slate tile from Home Depot set in a herringbone pattern covers the floor. “It’s really durable,” Cavorsi says.
10. The brass and bronze finish of the Hicks pendant by Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort echoes the colors of the Cole & Son “Hicks Hexagon” wallpaper while tying into the black range hood with brass hardware.
11. Cavorsi fell in love with these feather prints, by artist Susan Hable Smith, spotted at Crate & Barrel. “Their organic nature doesn’t compete with the geometric wallpaper,” she says.