Decorating & Design
A Graphic Black & White Kitchen Stuns With Statement Stone
Published on December 29, 2020
Designing a kitchen that not only looks good but also works hard might seem like a tall order, but for designers Erin Feasby and Cindy Bleeks, it’s just another day on the job. “It needed to be transitional enough to work in a late-1800s Victorian row home,” says Erin of the 11- by 16-foot space. “We envisioned something cool and urban that was still warm and comfortable; a place to share a cozy meal or to host an impromptu cocktail party.” They accented a spacious island with marble-look porcelain, hung statement lighting above and added a sliding ladder to access an upper bank of cabinets.
Scroll down to tour this graphic galley kitchen!
Erin (left) and Cindy placed their client’s beloved cow painting on the ladder wall; the color palette complements the kitchen.
“We gave the cabinets a slim Shaker-style profile, chose sleek brass hardware and brought in classic lanterns with a more traditional feel,” says Cindy. Oiled oak flooring adds warmth to the kitchen’s cool palette, and its light color makes the space feel larger.
Benjamin Moore’s Cliffside Gray gives the cabinets the “shaded white” effect Erin and Cindy were after. “Kitchens are really an extension of your living space, so we don’t like them to feel sterile or cold,” says Erin.
A black steel-clad vent hood offers contrast without being too flashy and “pulls out the dark marble-like veining in the porcelain slabs,” says Cindy.
The clients loved the look of Calacatta marble but not the maintenance, so Erin and Cindy chose porcelain instead. “It’s very realistic and extremely durable,” says Erin.
Sculptural brass hardware warms up the off-white cabinets.
“We wanted to maximize storage and utilize the 10-foot ceiling height,” says Cindy. “Typically, you lose an entire wall of cabinets once you add an island to a galley kitchen, but, here, a sliding ladder provides access to a bank of high cupboards while still allowing for flow around the island.” The ladder has a resting spot by the basement stairs; the sleek black hardware provides a smooth glide.
Alex Lukey
House & Home December 2020
Erin Feasby & Cindy Bleeks, Feasby & Bleeks Design