This West Chester kitchen makeover is all things traditional…with a twist. Black Forest Design & Build pulled out all the stops when they executed this much needed kitchen reno. Marble countertops and warm wood accents keep the design traditional, but a striking brass metal cane insert in the cabinets gives this kitchen a whole new life. The beautiful photos by Rebecca McAlpin show you just how these elements came together to create a beautiful space that will surely turn heads for years to come.

From the designer… When we started on this project in West Chester, PA we knew it was important to keep an active family in mind. Our homeowners have three young sons and wanted to create a fresh, open kitchen that fits with the rest of their home. The traditional design plan included a relaxed family friendly kitchen with lots of classic elements. The original builder grade kitchen was about 20 years old and while the layout wasn’t bad, the color scheme was dated and the kitchen needed a facelift. A new window, cabinetry, and appliances topped the list.

From the beginning, our clients knew they wanted a La Cornue range. This was our first classic element. A selection that we would later learn would take almost eight months to receive during the pandemic, but it was worth the wait! Our team designed and created a custom plaster hood and flanked it with brass accent sconces to create a proper focal point.

Continuing with the classic elements were the beautiful white marble countertops that we continued as the backsplash throughout the kitchen – not always the most family friendly option but sometimes the beauty outweighs the risk. We created a shelf using the same 4″ marble that was used for the backsplash to break up this design element and to act as a display area for smaller items. From there we tied in functional elements like the hidden coffee station, a paneled Miele refrigerator, and a custom pantry. To unite the space, we used the same Benjamin Moore Color “Soot” for the base cabinetry, pantry, and living room fireplace mantle. We loved this deep rich tone and were able to custom match the color for the plaster range hood.

Our final classic elements are the brass accents that help to warm up the space and tie in the colors from the range. The metal caning on the cabinetry was a unique selection. We had many discussions to find the perfect color and finish; with so many classic elements it was then important to keep the rest of the design simple and clean. The additional cabinetry color is Benjamin Moore’s “Mountainscape”, a soft white with simple brass hardware. Our final functional piece was the stained white oak island that coordinates with the band around the range hood. The island boasts tons of storage, a huge preparation space, and acts as a gathering place for a quick snack or lunch.

Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Beth Schulz & Chelsea Mohr of Black Forest Design & Build · Photography: Rebecca McAlpin