This Kitchen Officially Has the Largest Island Our Experts Have Ever Laid Eyes On
When a young family traded city life for suburban living, they chose a traditional Colonial home located in Darien, Connecticut—but it wasn’t exactly their dream abode. Built in 1937, the interiors hadn’t been updated since the ‘90s. The homeowners tapped designer Becca Casey of Becca Interiors to update the home to their needs and taste.
The six-bedroom, seven-bathroom home was the right size and had good bones, but came with many undesirable characteristics such as “outdated cabinetry, wall-to-wall carpeting, and patterned wallpapers paired with balloon drapery,” Casey says. The designer, who worked with contractor Eric Bal, embarked on a partial gut renovation of the first floor and the bathrooms as well as a general interior overhaul.
Casey designed custom elements all throughout the 7,779-square-foot home. The 13-foot-long kitchen island—which features copper and brass accents—accommodates the whole family, while the bespoke hand-scraped oak breakfast table completes a cozy nook nearby. In the kids’ room, bunk handrails and ladders are made of hardware that’s typically used on marine ships for added intrigue. The moody powder room painted in Railings by Farrow & Ball features a one-of-a-kind vanity with wooden legs to wow guests.
The overall muted color palette creates a playful yet calming atmosphere and the new look is designed to last.
See the Whole Space!
Q&A
House Beautiful: What was the reason for the new design?
Becca Casey: The family wanted the space to feel updated with characteristics that reflected their aesthetic. By honing in on their needs, we were able to design spaces that were functional and versatile. Lucky for us, the clients were completely trusting of the design process and really let us take the lead on the overall finish.
HB: Where did the majority of the budget go?
BC: The kitchen renovation. We added large-scale pendants, updated the existing cabinetry, and a custom 13-foot island.
HB: How did you save money?
BC: We were careful to select lower-budget items for areas such as the kids' rooms. We also worked with many artisans and local craftsmen to bring designs to life, such as the brass sink in the kitchen island.
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