Ooh la la! Quelle cuisine!

For homeowners Chris and Julieanne Webb of Rye, a great kitchen had to be more than simply aesthetically pleasing, it also had to afford the ultimate in efficiency. The couple’s French Country kitchen, full of warmth and European flair (not to mention some pretty nifty appliances and amenities!) does just that.

Laura Sperandio, a designer with Bilotta Kitchen’s Mamaroneck showroom helped the homeowners find an equilibrium between the modern amenities and classic design that create the chic-yet-warm space that fits seamlessly into their classic-style home. “They wanted to bring their kitchen up to date without impeding on the Old World charm that their house invoked,” says Sperandio.

Chris, the proclaimed chef, masters the state-of-the-art appliances, while Julieane’s artistic side is showcased through the incredible use of color and pristine details. “Julieanne chose a blue from Benjamin Moore’s collection and we sent it to Rutt’s factory for a custom color match,” explains Sperandio. “I used two different doors from Rutt’s collection for a look that best captured the French Country ambiance that the Webbs were after.”

The subtle finesse of color and décor complement rather than clash with the ultra-sleek Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. Sperandio was able to keep the traditional style the homeowners wanted while crafting a supremely useful space by adding several well-played touches, such as paneling on the refrigerator. Expanding the kitchen to twice its size and altering the layout were essential in creating the highest level of functionality.

This can be seen in the hearth, which creates a strong focal point around which the rest of the kitchen is centered. “They wanted it to be magnificent and different from anything else they’ve ever seen,” Sperandio explains. “I custom designed the hood and we had it made in solid limestone.” A mosaic backsplash behind the stove completes the drama of the hearth.

[Photo 1] Rutt Cabinetry in the Webbs’ kitchen has an inset door in cherry with a Lynwood stain on the perimeter, with cabinetry sporting a custom blue paint on the island. Elegant columns double as additional storage space (they pull out to store spices and other cooking accoutrements). While the kitchen was doubled in size, the well-considered layout also made a dramatic impact on its functionality.

Limestone countertops around the hearth and on the island provide plenty of workspace for Chris, an avid cook, and butcher block on both ends of the island creates an extra work-prep surface. A pot rack over the island, complete with copper kettles and dried garlic, adds a touch of whimsy, reminiscent of the French countryside. The pot filler, set into the mosaic above the Wolf range, makes it easy to fill large pots with water, eliminating the need to drag them from the sink to the stovetop.

 

The butler’s pantry is home to a Viking wine fridge, a second work sink, a coffee maker, and an icemaker. Glass-fronted cabinets showcase the homeowners’ glass collection. A white-washed beadboard ceiling contributes to the country feel.

 

A rooster, omnipresent in French County kitchens, stands sentry on the limestone counter near the appliance garage. Limestone flooring complements the countertops. A Sub-Zero side-by-side refrigerator is fully integrated into the design for a more furniture-like feel in the kitchen.

 

A Wolf wall oven and microwave and the fully paneled Sub-Zero create a functional work area near the island and its sink. Behind the island, additional counter space becomes a perfect serving spot, flanked by two floor-to-ceiling cabinet pantries that provide plenty of storage.