Two dogs, three cats and a very convincing couple. Designer Sarah Robertson, the Westchester County, NY-based director of Studio Dearborn, was reluctant to take on a new client in Nashville. Until she heard the order. The customer “asked for salvaged Silver Fox bricks from her hometown in Wisconsin, a super organized kitchen to make cooking and entertaining easy, and most importantly, lots of freedom of movement for the ‘Furry Five’, as the family calls their pets,” says Robertson. It was hard to resist the work.
First came the request for order. Cabinet doors and drawers now open to reveal built-in knife blocks, space for coffee pods, slots for cookware lids, vertical cutting board storage and, of course, pet food containers (Robertson is TikTok-famous for her custom organization solutions). Three under-counter garbage and recycling bins on the sink wall, one strategically placed under Robertson’s signature slide-out paper towel holder, make clean-up an easy task.
Adam Kane Macchia
As for the requested brick? The designer only used it on kitchen walls that face the outside of the home, a move that tempts the eye to mistake it for an exterior wall at first glance. She was given a free hand in choosing colors and materials, complementing the brick: soapstone on the counters and behind the hearth, marble on the island, and painted oak Shaker doors. Instead of a huge island, Robertson added one with a smaller footprint, giving the Furry Five extra-wide aisles to position themselves for scrap.
More from House Beautiful
Robertson chose soapstone behind the series because real brick, especially this lighter color, would have been impossible to remain pristine. Cabinets: Studio Dearborn painted Black Horizon, Benjamin Moore. Area: Agreed. follower and wall lamps: About lighting. Fixtures: California faucets. soapstone: Polycor. brick: The Brickworks, Inc. Stool: Vintage. soapstone: Polycor. brick: The Brickworks, Inc. Lamp: box & barrel.
Adam Kane Macchia
coffee station
A waterfall worktop clad in oak matches wall units and beams. Tile: Pratt + Larson. Hardware: The foundryman. espresso machine: Rocket espresso.
Adam Kane Macchia
pet station
A simple feeding system was essential. Under the counter, a pot filler combined with a built-in bar sink (with drain and plug!) serves as a never-spilling basin of water.
Adam Kane Macchia
Magic drawers
Adam Kane Macchia
Adam Kane Macchia
The primary prep area at the end of the island houses all of the homeowners cutting boards and knives and is directly across from the main sink and waste bins for easy shredding and disposal.
Robertson realized that a wall with a fridge and freezer would eliminate space for a coffee bar and suggested a freezer drawer instead. Content: lots of coffee and Jeni’s ice cream.
Clear counters
To free their customers’ countertops from dish drainers, Robertson custom designed the Deep Steppe Sink. It’s extra long, with a raised platform inside to keep a drying rack out of sight but within reach.
Adam Kane Macchia
Prepare kitchen
Originally intended as a secluded room for cookware, this room is just a door down from the main kitchen and serves primarily as additional storage space.Adam Kane Macchia
Why it works
Caitlin Choi
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
I’m the Market Director for House Beautiful. At any given point I’m looking for my next foodie and design travel adventure, sipping a nice slug of bourbon or a perfectly poured martini, or searching for my dream home in Mexico/North Carolina. My personal design style: lots of pattern, color and art on every surface.
Comments are closed.