Decorating & Design
A Circa-1970s Kitchen Designed By Jess Craven Gets An Update Inspired By A Trip To Italy
Updated on November 16, 2023
When designer Jess Craven purchased her home, the kitchen had duck-themed wallpaper and linoleum floors — but those weren’t the only problems. It was also too small for a family of four to cook together, and it wasn’t possible to host big holiday gatherings. Jess relocated the kitchen to the back of the house where there was more natural light, raised the ceilings and expanded the footprint.
Scroll for a tour of the space!
Designer Jess Craven.
House & Home: What was your style guide for the kitchen?
Jess Craven: I wanted the marble to be the focal point when you enter the space. I came from an 80-square-foot kitchen in my previous home, and both my husband and I have large families and love to host, so we needed a big island and lots of storage.
High ceilings and statement marble come together to create Jess’s dream “wow” moment when entering the space.
H&H: How did you mix modern and traditional styles?
JC: I was inspired by Italian workshops, English cottages and more modern kitchens with vintage pieces. The 10-foot island is the perfect example of this blend: I have a traditional, unlacquered brass deVOL Kitchens bridge faucet, so I needed to juxtapose it with a modern and eye-catching light fixture above. The island base has modern, flat-panel-style cabinets with a dark stain that shows off the wood grain, then it’s topped with the same striking Arabescato marble as the backsplash for consistency.
The fridge (center) is disguised with the same panelling and unlacquered brass pulls as the cabinets and pantry on either side.
H&H: Tell us about those gorgeous cabinets!
JC: They’re a Shaker style, and they go up to the 10-foot-high ceilings with crown moulding above for a traditional look. The unlacquered brass hardware was inspired by a family trip to Italy, where the kitchens and restaurants had worn handles and so much patina. I wanted to replicate that style.
Jess sourced a range without a digital display for a more traditional vibe.
The microwave is cleverly hidden behind a plaid café curtain hung on a brass rod, one of Jess’s signature design moves.
A marble shelf above the counter is used to display art and vintage finds.
A large sofa and plenty of armchairs create an ideal spot to lounge in the adjacent living room.
Scroll down for elements of this look!
Lauren Miller
House & Home
Jess Craven