9

Designing Kitchens for Cooks

Designing kitchens for clients that cook is not only super fun, truth be told, it’s a lot more rewarding. Shhh! Don’t tell my other clients who haven’t christened their new $ 15,000 ranges or taken the plastic off the shelves in their Subzero refrigerator.
You can imagine my delight when my Pound Ridge client, mother of three and very accomplished cook was braising briskets in her new 48’ Monogram Gas Range before the last handles were installed on the cabinetry. All true. It was a crisp Fall day, the Jewish holiday was beginning at sundown and come hell or half a kitchen, brisket would be  prepared for a crew for that evening. If only WordPress had a scensory plug-in to transmit the aroma of food. Now that would be something. While we didn’t alter the space of this kitchen, we did create a beautiful kitchen design that made the cover with a lovely feature in this magazine.

A couple years after this edition published, a source at the magazine shared with me that this cover generated the most sales of any KBI issues ever.

Update-Sadly Kitchen and Bath Ideas magazine is no longer publishing but you can see another one of my cover features here and most recent kitchen feature in the Summer 2018 issue of Beautiful Kitchens. Thank you to Meredith Publications who shared my kitchen designs with the world. I’m honored to be among so many other talented designers.

11

Modern Kitchen Makeover for Empty Nesters – The Perfect Process of the Purge

A modern kitchen makeover was the first thing my clients asked for when I received their call. Her wishlist buzzwords included calm, quiet, modern but not edgy and maybe some color. I listen very carefully when I speak with a client initially on the phone to see if their vision is at all consistent with what they tell me in our first meeting. Susan’s initial request for modern was clarified with many magazine tearouts to convey her vision of a calming, monochromatic, neutral space. She wanted a space that felt good to be in.

As recent empty nesters this kitchen makeover was all about them and their needs.
In my experience, as clients age in place, their focus and priorities for their new kitchen renovation is often quite different than that of a young couple starting family life in the burbs.

The emphasis is not all about the daily routine of cooking, the children’s school schedules and activities that make family focused kitchens need a design that can handle flow like grand central station with a laundry list of modern cooking technology, every storage accessory known to man not to mention charging stations and menu drawers to accommodate the entire neighborhood.

Susan and her husband now travel frequently and their home is more of a intentional haven than ever. While the daily routines of the kitchen may change, people still spend a tremendous amount of time in their kitchen even if the focus has shifted from cooking. Interestingly enough my new client did enjoy cooking and was always experimenting with a recipe from the latest issue of Bon Apetite ( or the stacks- more on that later) or a recipe torn from the New York Times Food section. With all our technology, I wonder… does anyone tear out recipes anymore?

Let me preface my following comment by acknowledging that after designing hundreds of kitchens, I’m still humbled to be hired and trusted by every client to redesign a very significant part of their home, however first meetings with clients are always so revealing. It’s a very personal and more intimate relationship than one might expect. Like a therapist, clients feel the need to unburden themselves with their inner most “kitchen idioscyncratic behaviors” You find out a lot about a person if you listen carefully.

Little did I know that we’d be negotiating the removal of years of photos chronicling every childhood milestone and piece of handcrafted artwork created by their children; memorobelia taped up revealing the frailty of time.

But these precious moments weren’t just anything. This was proof positive of cradle to college memories to date; a visual colage of family, friends,, joy and love, a timeline of a beautiful family. With grown children moved out and settled in their own homes close enough to chronicle the next chapter of life, Susan was ready to pack away the pics and jump into the design and a very grown up kitchen to make new family memories in.

This is one of those kitchen design renovations you just can’t aapreciate without some context of the “BD” ( before demolition

Rebecca Reynolds
Testimonials
It is truly our 'dream kitchen' and Rebecca was able to synthesize our wish list into a practical, working kitchen that also looks gorgeous! Armed with pages ripped from magazines and ideas about use, Rebecca took those and added so much more so that everything not only looks good, but makes sense as well!

The Feinberg's

Pound Ridge, NY.

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:40:56-04:00

The Feinberg's

Pound Ridge, NY.

It is truly our 'dream kitchen' and Rebecca was able to synthesize our wish list into a practical, working kitchen that also looks gorgeous! Armed with pages ripped from magazines and ideas about use, Rebecca took those and added so much more so that everything not only looks good, but makes sense as well!
The kitchen is well designed and has an amazing backsplash with a beautiful, large two-tone copper hood. We get compliments about our kitchen all the time. We couldn't be happier with the outcome! Rebecca has an amazing eye for color, fabric and texture and she made my life so much easier during the building process!!

The Vermeer's

Shippan Point, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T17:00:04-04:00

The Vermeer's

Shippan Point, CT

The kitchen is well designed and has an amazing backsplash with a beautiful, large two-tone copper hood. We get compliments about our kitchen all the time. We couldn't be happier with the outcome! Rebecca has an amazing eye for color, fabric and texture and she made my life so much easier during the building process!!
Rebecca, is a very knowledgeable & professional designer. She possesses an impeccable eye for detail especially with her sophisticated clientele projects.

Paul Dushi

President, Dushi Marble and Granite

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T11:26:44-04:00

Paul Dushi

President, Dushi Marble and Granite

Rebecca, is a very knowledgeable & professional designer. She possesses an impeccable eye for detail especially with her sophisticated clientele projects.
During the middle of our renovation, we had to fire our contractor, which caused a huge delay in our kitchen project. Becky was incredibly patient with us as we had to put our kitchen "on hold" until we hired a new contractor. Not only was she understanding but also she was a great advisor throughout the entire ordeal... I absolutely love my kitchen. It is a beautiful and functional space our entire family enjoys every day.

The Galvan's

New Canaan, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:52:10-04:00

The Galvan's

New Canaan, CT

During the middle of our renovation, we had to fire our contractor, which caused a huge delay in our kitchen project. Becky was incredibly patient with us as we had to put our kitchen "on hold" until we hired a new contractor. Not only was she understanding but also she was a great advisor throughout the entire ordeal... I absolutely love my kitchen. It is a beautiful and functional space our entire family enjoys every day.
We had been warned that the kitchen renovation process could be a nightmare, but working with Rebecca was like having a "Fairy Godmother". Everything went quickly and smoothly, from start to finish... No detail was ever too small for her. She was always on top of things and in touch. I now have the kitchen of my dreams.

The Beyman's

Silvermine, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:47:25-04:00

The Beyman's

Silvermine, CT

We had been warned that the kitchen renovation process could be a nightmare, but working with Rebecca was like having a "Fairy Godmother". Everything went quickly and smoothly, from start to finish... No detail was ever too small for her. She was always on top of things and in touch. I now have the kitchen of my dreams.
Just had another fantastic dinner party in this beautiful space you made for me and I just wanted to say that your work, even 2 years later, was amazing, beautiful and brilliant. I love this space more than i ever thought I would and the compliments are endless!

The Minior's

Shippan Point, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:58:33-04:00

The Minior's

Shippan Point, CT

Just had another fantastic dinner party in this beautiful space you made for me and I just wanted to say that your work, even 2 years later, was amazing, beautiful and brilliant. I love this space more than i ever thought I would and the compliments are endless!
We love our new kitchen Rebecca designed for us and thoroughly enjoy entertaining our friends now that it has so much more space. She took a small room and created a way to make it larger, adding charming character. Rebecca utilized every square inch, and transformed it into more then we ever hoped for... She is very professional, listened to our requirements, and was on top of the project every step of the way.

The Quinn's

New Canaan, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T17:02:50-04:00

The Quinn's

New Canaan, CT

We love our new kitchen Rebecca designed for us and thoroughly enjoy entertaining our friends now that it has so much more space. She took a small room and created a way to make it larger, adding charming character. Rebecca utilized every square inch, and transformed it into more then we ever hoped for... She is very professional, listened to our requirements, and was on top of the project every step of the way.
We loved the kitchen you designed for our Connecticut home and we knew we wanted you to design our Vermont house as well. You’re creativity, attention to detail is reflected in the gorgeous results. We couldn’t be happier with the beauty and functionality of both kitchens.

The Buckman's

Westport, CT and Stratton, VT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:44:39-04:00

The Buckman's

Westport, CT and Stratton, VT

We loved the kitchen you designed for our Connecticut home and we knew we wanted you to design our Vermont house as well. You’re creativity, attention to detail is reflected in the gorgeous results. We couldn’t be happier with the beauty and functionality of both kitchens.
We loved working with Rebecca. She made the process fun and easy... We love our kitchen and bathroom - they both turned out better than we imagined it ever could. Strongly recommend her services!

The Keay’s
Darien, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:37:23-04:00

The Keay’s
Darien, CT

We loved working with Rebecca. She made the process fun and easy... We love our kitchen and bathroom - they both turned out better than we imagined it ever could. Strongly recommend her services!
The designer gave me honest feedback and together we created a kitchen that is not only timeless and functional, but is the central gathering spot for my family and friends. The cabinetry is both beautiful and of very high quality and was reasonably priced.
I get tons of compliments on my kitchen and I know I will love it for years to come.

The Gasvoda's

Darien, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:57:30-04:00

The Gasvoda's

Darien, CT

The designer gave me honest feedback and together we created a kitchen that is not only timeless and functional, but is the central gathering spot for my family and friends. The cabinetry is both beautiful and of very high quality and was reasonably priced. I get tons of compliments on my kitchen and I know I will love it for years to come.
She (Rebecca) is very talented and intuitive, which helps gives her clients a personalized design... I found that she is responsive and knowledgeable to all my questions and always available for decisions that come up during construction. As a contractor that is key to making a project go smoothly to its completion.

Seri Bueti

Bueti Construction

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:13:48-04:00

Seri Bueti

Bueti Construction

She (Rebecca) is very talented and intuitive, which helps gives her clients a personalized design... I found that she is responsive and knowledgeable to all my questions and always available for decisions that come up during construction. As a contractor that is key to making a project go smoothly to its completion.
Rebecca transformed our dark, cramped kitchen (circa 1910) into a fresh, stylish and highly functional one that we live in. It's a cooking kitchen with every inch of beautiful space used. It flows with our home and our lifestyle. The key for us was that she listened to our needs and our budget. She met both.

The Burke's

New Canaan, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T17:04:27-04:00

The Burke's

New Canaan, CT

Rebecca transformed our dark, cramped kitchen (circa 1910) into a fresh, stylish and highly functional one that we live in. It's a cooking kitchen with every inch of beautiful space used. It flows with our home and our lifestyle. The key for us was that she listened to our needs and our budget. She met both.
Our house is now a home because of Rebecca... From the moment we met her, Rebecca was a designer who was always willing to listen and consider our circumstances and budget... She designed a kitchen and family room space that suited our needs without compromising style and beauty. Everyone who sees our kitchen and family room remarks about how smart the layout is and how gorgeous all of the finishes are.

The Soccio's

New Canaan, CT

Rebecca Reynolds Design
2019-05-17T16:54:58-04:00

The Soccio's

New Canaan, CT

Our house is now a home because of Rebecca... From the moment we met her, Rebecca was a designer who was always willing to listen and consider our circumstances and budget... She designed a kitchen and family room space that suited our needs without compromising style and beauty. Everyone who sees our kitchen and family room remarks about how smart the layout is and how gorgeous all of the finishes are.
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Rebecca Reynolds Design
Get in Touch

Contact Rebecca by email or the phone:
[email protected]
203-972-8300

If you want to discuss a project and inquire about our services, fill out the inquiry form on our contact page.

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