Great Kitchens of the Bluegrass

by

Arts & Culture

From country to contemporary, traditional to timeless, these local kitchens inspire more than great cuisine

Today’s kitchens are far more than a place to store and prepare food –– they are the heart of the home, designed as much for comfort and style as for function. The modern kitchen is an open space that spills into adjoining rooms and accommodates large groups. No longer hidden behind doors and walls, it is the place to entertain; prepare and serve food; work; and spend time with family. The kitchen is the new living room.

On the following pages, we offer you a glimpse into a few of Lexington’s finest kitchens. Feast your eyes, imagine the possibilities, borrow ideas, and be inspired.

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A Historic Kitchen Made New

Designer: Craig Rushing, RC3

The modern renovation of this 100-year-old South Ashland home began with the dismantling of a three-story, inoperable brick fireplace. This enabled the wall between the living room and the kitchen to be removed, opening up the space and creating the functional family room/kitchen. The cooktop and hood were located on the peninsula, allowing for an open and functional area to prepare and serve food. The necessary structural beam was disguised in a continuous soffit that became a custom design element and lighting trough.

Owners: Hope Cottrill and Ari Padmanabhan

Neighborhood: Ashland Park

Contractor: Craig Rushing, rc3

Cabinets: BC Woodworking (Walnut, Espresso stain)

Countertops: Concrete countertops by Infistone-Concrete & Design

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Light as Air

Designer: Derrick Whitaker, Creative Kitchen and Bath

The walls dividing the kitchen, dining room and breakfast room of this Delaney Woods home were all

removed to create an open kitchen with lots of natural light and beautiful views of the home’s pool and property. White, beautiful cabinetry with professional appliances and lots of counter space set the tone.

In front of the large fireplace, four club chairs create an entertaining space perfect for intimate gatherings.

Owners: The Fravels

Neighborhood: Delaney Woods

Contractor: Padgett Construction

Cabinets: Mouser Custom Cabinetry, inset painted

Countertops: Imperial Danby Honed

Appliances: Ferguson Enterprises

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Modern Farm Finish

Designer: Laura Dalzell, Cabinets and Designs

This large Fayette County farmhouse kitchen features lots of natural light and

wonderful views of the surrounding horse pastures and barns. The unusual finish on the maple cabinets (vintage slate) beautifully complements the stainless appliances, counter top color and the natural white oak floors. The island, which features an

eating area at one end, provides a massive amount of preparation and serving space.

Owner: Laura Connolly

Neighborhood: Fayette County Farm

Contractor: Geiger Restorations (Kirby Geiger)

Cabinets: Brookhaven (by Wood Mode), maple with Vintage Slate finish

Countertops: Viatera Quartz – everest

Appliances: Ferguson Enterprises

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A Conversational Kitchen

Designer: Robin Gillespie, Architectural Kitchens and Baths

The back of this Shadeland East home was opened up to create a larger combination kitchen/family room and accommodate an expanding young family. This kitchen beautifully combines elegance and comfort. Multiple wood surfaces inspire a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. The oversized island encourages interaction between those preparing the meals and the rest of the family; a variety of activities can occur in the large, open space without sacrificing the feeling of togetherness.

Owners: Rob and Cristi Hundley

Neighborhood: Shadeland East

Construction Company: BACK Construction

Cabinetry: Centra by Mouser Cabinetry

(Coventry door style with a beaded inset frame)

Countertops: Colonial Cream Granite

Appliances: Pieratt's

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Tradition meets function

Designer: Linda Bratton, Architectural Kitchens & Baths

To accommodate the needs of Chevy Chase home-based business owner and “serious cook” Maria Roach, Architectural Kitchens & Bath created a design to complement her traditional home, yet open it up to a well-appointed and loved adjacent family room. AKB designers Linda Bratton and Brent Richards were challenged with creating a design that would be the perfect place for hosting family gatherings, book clubs and alum functions for Roach’s husband, John, and college functions for her daughter.

Owners: Maria and John Roach

Neighborhood: Chevy Chase

Contractor: Scott Zoeckler

Cabinets: Mouser Custom Cabinetry (Painted Maple, China with a Pewter Glaze)

Countertops: Venetian Ice

Appliances: Pieratt’s

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Customized Classic

Designer: Debr­­­a Willett Hupman, Creative Kitchens & Bath

This kitchen/mud room evolved from a small, dysfunctional kitchen space and an adjacent exterior screened-in porch. Both spaces were merged to create a perfect, open plan for this young professional couple with a growing family. The fun color palette, customized just for them, adds to the unique qualities of the space, including a beverage center, custom hood, and a one-of-a-kind, wooden movable table top that serves as an extension of the island. The mud room off the kitchen is loaded with cubbies for every member of the family and even a dog wash for the canine members of the family.

Owners: The Nickelses

Neighborhood: Firebrook

Contractor: BACK Construction

Cabinets: Decor Talora (polar white with accent

in custom blue color)

Countertops: Quartz, Super White & Island

accented in Iroko with oiled finish

Appliances: Michael Wells, Pieratts Appliances

Sinks: Blanco, Quartz, Metallic Gray