How Sarah Blank Upgraded the Kitchen in a 1900s Spanish Renaissance Revival Home
When kitchen designer Sarah Blank of Sarah Blank Design Studio was called in to help “fix” a 1900s Spanish Renaissance Revival home for a busy family, she started with the kitchen architecture. The long, narrow space needed sunlight, smarter storage, and a warm but easy-to-tidy aesthetic.
Blank began by adding a large custom window to let in more natural light, as well as all-new cabinetry. An island extends the prep space and houses a sink and dishwasher. No inch was overlooked: Four-inch–wide pull-out shelves stash spices, oils, and vinegars in arm’s reach. The family needed a not-too-precious countertop, so Blank went with sintered stone, which is stronger and more durable than quartz.
Instead of recessed can lights that are meant to be invisible, Blank opted for beautiful custom flush mounts from Paul Ferrante.
Rift- and quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry complements a historic Morris & Co. wallpaper. The space houses a secondary Miele dishwasher, Texas Lightsmith sink, and Sub-Zero beverage fridge.
To activate the long wall that connects the kitchen and breakfast room, the designer lined up all the primary appliances, adding in a bonus speed oven that she says is essential for getting dinner on the table quickly—we’re talking roast chicken in 20 minutes. Custom cabinetry continues into the breakfast room, where the freezer (which Blank points out is nonessential to the classic kitchen work triangle), small appliances, and a dry goods pantry flank built-in bench seating with even more storage underneath.
Above the range, an off-center pot filler ensures that the cook is never reaching over hot pots to use it.
“It was important to utilize the entire length of the room,” says Blank. “With the fully integrated appliances, it makes it that much easier to keep everything looking beautiful.”
Clever pullouts with leather handles house spices and oils.
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