To open up and lighten the kitchen, a wall between the original kitchen and den was removed. Larger windows, and recessed, task and under cabinet lights were added.
BY amanda flatten
photography by ken vaughan
Dallas natives Pat and Nita Stewart have lived in their Lake Highlands home for almost 20 years. When they moved into their home it had a small galley kitchen. It was adequate at the time, but Nita recalls the kitchen was pretty crowded for the family of four. The Stewarts thought about remodeling their kitchen for years. “I knew with a job of this size, we were going to need help,”
Nita says.
The Stewarts wanted a French country kitchen with abundant light. They also wanted to open up their space by tearing down the wall between the kitchen and the den. To open up the space, a load-bearing structural wall that supported the second floor needed to be torn down, but the couple didn’t want to see exposed beams and posts. Several contractors said it couldn’t be done. Then, the Stewarts met Bruce Graf of Graf Developments, a company that specializes in high-end kitchens and baths. Graf talked to a structural engineer and found a way to create a supporting structure and provide the look the Stewarts wanted without posts. “Bruce worked so hard to do something that I didn’t think could be done,” Nita says. “We were impressed that he went the extra mile.”
Graf hired interior designer Gabrielle Jewison to design the French country kitchen. Before construction began, Jewison and the Stewarts selected all the key materials used in the project. “We were able to do almost everything on their wish list,” Jewison said.
The 4-foot-by-6-foot island is the focal point of the new kitchen. It’s painted to match a chest the Stewarts have in the den. It has a custom vent hood, and the African mahogany countertop provides a functional workspace. “The island is a gorgeous piece of furniture, and it’s practical,” Nita says.
The floor also is a standout in the room. The Dal-Tile ceramic tiles are laid in a herringbone pattern to add texture. “That’s my husband’s favorite part of the room.” Nita says. “It has that rustic country look we were going for.”
The white faux finished glazed cabinets blend nicely with the stainless steel appliances and the green granite countertops around the sink and on the built-in desk.
A former laundry room was removed and reduced to a laundry closet with a stackable washer and dryer. To increase lighting in the kitchen, recessed lights, under cabinet lighting and task lighting were placed throughout the space. Everything is set on dimmers to create a dramatic mood while entertaining. Natural light was increased with an expanded window above the sink and an expanded 7-foot tall bay window. “When we are sitting at our table, we feel like we are outside because there is so much light coming in,” Nita says.
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RESOURCES
builder:
Graf Developments
P.O. Box 540999
Grand Prairie, TX 75054
972.571.6076
www.grafdevelopments.com
interior designer:
Gabrielle Jewison
of Gabrielle Jewison interior Design
214.289.3299
www.gabriellejewisoninteriordesign.com
cabinets:
Walden Capinets
Rich Walden
4118 Miller Park Dr.
Garland, TX 75042
972.272.1106
granite countertops:
Total Design on Marble & Granite
1415 Hutton Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
972.242.2595
www.totaldesignonmarble.com
granite countertops:
Total Design on Marble & Granite
1415 Hutton Drive
Carrollton, TX 75006
972.242.2595
www.totaldesignonmarble.com
african mahogany wood countertop:
Brooks Custom
15 Kensico Drive
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
800.244.5432
Plumbing, faucets and fixture:
Apex Supply Co.
600 E. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, TX 75081
972.231.5155
www.apexsupplyco.com
appliances:
KIVA Kitchen & Bath
Jarrell Appliance Gallery
2651 Fondren Drive
Dallas, TX 75206
214.363.7211
Flooring and backsplashe:
ProSource
Dallas Market Center
1500G Dragon Street
Dallas, TX 75207
214.742.3300
www.prosourcefloors.com
lighting:
Meletio Electric
10930 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75220
214.352.3900
www.meletio.com |
