Furniture-style cabinetry continues to be a desireable amenity in new custom homes. In the kitchen, the simple touch of adding barley-twist engaged posts to the corners give this island a furniture feel. Across the room, the usual built-in media cabinet is abandoned to be replaced by a custom-sized armoire that just fits into the alcove. Changing to stain grade wood for some pieces adds interest and builds on the furniture theme. Read more!

This armoire was custom-made by my cabinet man from a wood called Pecky Cypress. The goal was to create a new piece that looked 100 years old. The interior of the armoire has new smooth maple wood lining it to protect the clothing stored inside. The side units have a stained glass inserts based on an old time window pane.

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Custom copper panels on cabinets

Embossed metal panels were applied to these traditional raised-panel cabinet doors. This treatment not only breaks up a long wall of built-ins, but also adds an old vintage charm to this modern utility room. This same treatment could be used on a flea market cabinet to give it more style and interest. The panels are available from home restoration suppliers, and come in a variety of metals, including tin, brass, and copper. The tin panels can be left natural or painted. The copper and brass can be sealed to stay bright and shiny or allowed to oxidize over time. We chose not to seal the copper panels on these cabinets so they will eventually darken with age and acquire the soft green patina of weathered copper pipes, blending with the new washer and dryer that are in an Aspen Green color.

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Once Is Not Enough

“REPETITION” is one of the a principles of design, and this kitchen demonstrates the principle so well and how it can be used to create a dramatic interior. The cabinet door style is a series of rectangles. The artwork on the back wall is framed to repeat the framed style of the cabinetry. Then, the rectangular shape of the barstools continues the pattern. The backsplash features an inset tile mosaic listel of rectangular shaped natural stone. Even the cylindrical pendant light fixtures over the bar appear to be rectangular, and their shape and material repeat the look of the stainless steel venthood.

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