The saying goes that every cloud has a silver lining. In the case of one Cape Cod homeowner, the experience of working with Barbara Darcy, kitchen designer at Classic Kitchen and Interiors in Hyannis, was anything but turbulent.

“This homeowner was so much fun to work with because most of our clients lean toward a painted finish for their cabinets,” Darcy explains. “She loves sparkle and elegant details, and she fell in love with a silvery maple stained finish.” The finish translates almost as driftwood that is found along the surrounding beaches. “And the island,” Darcy continues, “is really soft. It is the only painted cabinetry in the kitchen.” 

Speaking of keeping things soft, Darcy says that the traditional shaker doors were embellished with a subtle quarter-round detail on the door and drawer faces that kept the whole look from feeling too austere and uptight. The result is a space that envelops the homeowners, their family and an endless stream of visitors with a warm and welcoming embrace. 

Quartzite reminiscent of sugar-soft sand tops the counters and the island.  On the sink counter, Darcy suggested extending the countertop all the way to the frame of the new larger window so that the surfaces are un-interrupted as well as waterproof. Roped trim at the crown molding and again in the metal pulls on the cabinet-faced Sub-Zero refrigerator establishes an element of coastal elegance, since after all, this is a seaside home.

The ultimate execution of the soft and silver-toned theme is found in the antiqued mirror which functions as a backsplash in the dry bar hutch that flanks the entrance to the adjacent dining room. The mirror makes another appearance in the hutch’s cross-mullioned doors as well as in the two upper cabinets that crown the sleek ceramic-top range. The reflective nature of the mirror not only adds old world charm, but provides subtle functionality for those who do not want to dress the inside of their cabinets. It also helps to reflect light back into the cabinet and adds some eye-catching shine.

One of the most unique design choices found in the space is the stunning basket-weave ceramic tile set in an unexpected herringbone pattern that runs across the full wall of the run of cabinets that house the range. Framing a tidy square of the tile to designate a backsplash for the cooktop area, Darcy has created just the right amount of texture and interest as a perfect counter balance to the sleek finish found in the cabinetry. “Carrying the tile along the entire wall was an idea I suggested to the homeowner from the beginning,” Darcy explains. “Of course that was early in the process, before she had found the tile. And it is not an inexpensive tile. But it was so pretty, she did a really good job finding that one. I’m thrilled she made the decision to carry it through; it really made the space.”

Thanks to the collaboration between sophisticated homeowners, who know what they love and know what they want, and a consummate professional like Darcy, this kitchen must surely be the silver lining of their renovation.

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