Entry: "Sequoyah Hills Modern Farmhouse"
Designer: Kendra Campbell
Dealership: Standard Kitchen & Bath
Door Style: International+ Pendleton
Species: Maple
Finish: Midnight
Sheen: Satin
THE REST OF THE STORY ...
The homeowners were looking to build their forever home. The design team had remodeled previous homes for them, but this was an opportunity to design a space to fit their daily way of life in their unique style. This home is in a very old and traditional neighborhood so we needed to marry a more traditional, modern farmhouse exterior with a little more cutting edge transitional interior. The dark tones of Midnight and sleekness of the Pendleton door style allowed us to achieve that with a bold honey bronze hardware.
The biggest challenge was making sure that all of the lower cabinetry was put to good use. With limited wall space and one of the homeowners is "vertically challenged" so the bulk of her dishes and daily-use items would be under counter. The team took utmost care in making sure all of her pieces had a home. In addition to that, the team needed the island to function comfortably as a daily space for dinner. With their busy schedules there are often just two seated for meals, but they do have the option to seat the entire family and still have comfortable conversation across a table-like space.
The final design was born out of a love for cooking and hopes of this being their final home. The island end was large enough for their daughter to have dinner with one or both parents and also spread out to do homework while Mom cooks. Lots of large base cabinets and an amazing prep sink on the island to accommodate everyday cooking and storage.
The homeowners absolutely loved how the deeper, dark tones of Midnight gave such a beautiful contrast to their bright room. They loved putting color into the cabinets and accent pieces and letting the walls be a neutral soft white.
With white cabinetry being so prevalent on TV and Pinterest, the team was thrilled that the homeowners trusted the design team's vision to create an equally sleek and modern space with Midnight. The team often shows these pictures to clients to show how a darker cabinet can still brighten the space with beautiful contrast, while remaining classic. This is not a home that will trend in or out, it's classic in a slightly different way!
The design team has completed several other previous projects with these homeowners and they have always had Showplace in their homes.
The husband is a major exec at HGTV in Knoxville. He chooses, plans, and project manages all of the "Dream Home" giveaways every year so the team usually gets some insider information on the upcoming selection. Interestingly, he was not overly involved in the design process. His wife definitely led the way on this one.
Sequoyah Hills is a very old, traditional, sought-after neighborhood. Properties never stay on the market long and typically even sell before hitting the market. New construction was a hard decision for the homeowners because an existing home from the 30s resided on this property. They painstakingly worked with an architect to consider remodeling and adding on to the existing structure, but with asbestos and terrible rot, it couldn't be saved. They did save old door knobs, door knockers, and the old shed to keep as much of the old property present as possible. The shed is now a cute "she-shed" for sewing and gardening. They also had an arborist come in and help the contractor so that new construction wouldn't damage the root systems. These beautiful trees that are hundreds of years old frame this house to make it feel like it was always part of the neighborhood. For that, their neighbors are so thankful and it makes it that much more beautiful. It's a wonderful home, but the family is just as wonderful!
COMMENTS FROM OUR JUDGES ...
I love everything about this kitchen. I love the hood, I love the asymmetrical design of the range wall, yet it's centered on the room. The prep sink in the corner is a fun surprise. This space is beautiful and a clear winner in my opinion.
The finishes in this kitchen mixed with the high ceilings and natural light are a breath of fresh air. Well done.
The colors work so well in this kitchen. The floor matches the beams, and the gold tones add a warmth that blends the entire space together.
Very creative sink placement in the island!
The corner prep sink is pretty cool and in a great location for cooking prep.
Definitely like the design elements in this kitchen. The thicker countertops at the island and the detail given to the lines all add to making this space feel much more contemporary!