French Polish

It all started with a new home and a penchant for elegant French design. When the homeowners built their new house in Armonk, they outfitted it with refined high gloss coffered ceilings and trim; gracious shades of blue, taupe, and chocolate; and classic French furnishings and accessories. Then they called in Bilotta Kitchens.

“The homeowner was really great to work with. She has a great sense of style, knows what she wants, and was really involved in the process,” says Mel Elion, a senior designer with Bilotta's Mamaroneck showroom and the designer on this project, a 25 foot-by-30-foot kitchen.

Because the homeowner loved the green cabinetry in her previous home (also in Armonk), she was leaning toward cabinets in the same olive shade. But when Elion toured the new home, she took in the soft blues, creams, and browns and suggested a kitchen that would pick up on the sky-toned hues to which the homeowner was partial. The result: muted blue cabinets with a brown glaze and gold detailing.

The homeowner also was leaning toward Bilotta's Clive Christian line for its graceful European detailing. But she eventually opted to go with Rutt's handcrafted cabinetry, allowing her fully customize the entire kitchen, from the cabinet doors to the distinctive molding. “We developed a custom paint with a special glaze and made several samples to ensure that we got just the right color,” Elion explains. The corbels were crafted by another vendor, Art for Everyday, and finished by a local finisher (D & S Finishing located New Rochelle) to get the exact look the homeowner was after, which included Azul de Mar marble countertops, fluted molding, reeded pilasters, and gilded rosette onlays.
 

Antique fixtures over the teak-topped island set the tone for the elegant French kitchen. Behind the island, double Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezers hide behind armoire-like cabinetry topped with gold-leaf detailing. True divided beveled glass-fronted cabinetry flanking the refrigerator showcases the owner's fine crystal. A much-used Viking wall oven and GE microwave complete the work triangle, which includes a prep sink on the island and the main sink in the peninsula.

 

The 65-inch La Cornue range with brass and brushed-nickel trim takes centerstage under a detailed marble fleur de lis backsplash that bring in the colors the homeowner used throughout her home. (The homeowner had seen a similar mosaic design in Bilotta's Mount Kisco showroom and was determined to do the same in her own home.) A pot filler makes filling large pots a cinch. Sliding cabinets on either side of the range house spices and cooking oils; additional cabinets above keep often-used utensils within arm's reach.

 

Bilotta Kitchens
564 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck
(914) 381-7734
and
175 East Main St., Mount Kisco
(914) 242-1022
and
525 North State Rd., Briarcliff Manor
(914) 762-3432
and
150 E. 58th St., 9th Fl. New York City
(212) 486 6338
bilotta.com