The Garden Party Kitchen

There’s no right or wrong place to start. Fall in love with that one material that gets the ball rolling, whether that’s a natural stone countertop, a wall covering, or a colorful enameled range. Find something you’re passionate about!

It comes down to preference: You could have the cabinets take center stage, make everything bold, or go more monochromatic and quiet. I love natural stone quartzite because it can handle a hot pot. Soapstone is more porous, but it’s also nice if you don’t mind a few stains. For the backsplash, handmade tiles from countries such as Morocco and India are an opportunity to add another layer of texture and interest.

Vinyl products have come a long way and are wonderful options for kitchens and baths now. If installing a non-vinyl paper, you might consider applying a sealer to protect the paper.

For greens, I like Benjamin Moore’s Pale Vista and Dill Pickle. If a client favors blue, some go-tos are Benjamin Moore’s Bird’s Egg, Naples Blue, Stratton Blue, and Wythe Blue.

I prefer a low-luster sheen that’s a step above matte because you can wipe it down if necessary.

Kitchens invite visual clutter, but carrying the same color and finish from the walls to the cabinetry and trim makes the space feel more streamlined. If the shade is on the brighter side, white can act as a palette cleanser to offset it. I rarely mix two colors, but I might introduce wood accents for some warmth.

You can rarely go wrong with polished nickel—which is the warmest of the silver-toned metals—because it plays nicely with gold accents as well. For clients who like gold, I’ll often choose a living gold finish that will develop a nice patina over time. Interview by Alyssa Bird