Photos by Zoravko Cota
LEICHT Westchester|Greenwich transforms a 30-year-old kitchen into a modern space that feels clean, fresh, and highly functional.
The task facing Leah Diamond of LEICHT Westchester|Greenwich for this 30-year-old original kitchen in Mount Kisco was to give it a modern feel while having it remain functional for a sophisticated retired couple. Though it was the home’s original kitchen, Diamond says that the layout still worked well for the uniquely designed space but that the cabinets needed an update to bring them into the 21st century. “The design request was to create a clean and fresh look for the new kitchen. This was achieved by selecting a white, high-gloss finish (LEICHT’s Arctic), paired with a gray-wood textured finish and including elegant glass display cabinets to showcase the homeowner’s beautiful china, inherited from her grandmother,” Diamond says.
Diamond renovated the cabinetry, countertops, appliances, paint, sinks, and faucets. “Due to the architecture of the home — and that this was a renovation with all interior walls remaining as is — the inspiration was to give a contemporary look to an existing space,” she says. She updated the island, as well, in LEICHT’s Ceres, a matte laminate in Sand Gray, which is also used as the backsplash. Diamond added a bar-height seating area with waterfall ends to create a two-level island to hide a busy prep-and-cleanup area. She adds that this choice allowed “for a space to sit and read the paper over morning coffee.”
As the room has many angles, Diamond says, “This was both challenging and fun at the same time, because it pushed me as a designer to be creative and ensure the space is used efficiently and smartly, guaranteeing no lost space. It was imperative that smart solutions were used to maximize all storage issues, with many pull-outs and organizing accessories.”
The kitchen has two large openings that look onto the living room and dining room. “It was a conscious decision to keep the design aesthetic in line with the rest of the home’s details and interior design selections,” she notes. “The night-sky ceiling was one of the details chosen to help carry through other design concepts from the rest of the home.”
The homeowners wanted large refrigeration, so panel-ready fridge and freezer column units were selected to help with creating streamlined sightlines. These units blend into the pantry wall, so Diamond was able to design a beautiful wall of tall display cabinetry, which added needed storage while simplifying the look.
“The induction cooktop and downdraft hood were also selected for their sleekness and minimal visibility, allowing the focus to be on the kitchen design, beautiful stone countertops, glass display cabinetry, and views to the hilltop backyard beyond, as well as an inviting space for a couple to spend time together as they enjoy their retirement,” says Diamond.
Related: How to Transform That Spare Room in Your Westchester Home
