{"id":2712,"date":"2024-10-14T23:07:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T15:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/2024\/10\/14\/kitchen-of-the-week-stylist-brittany-alberts-cosmetic-kitchen-upgrade-trade-secrets-included\/"},"modified":"2024-10-14T23:07:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T15:07:00","slug":"kitchen-of-the-week-stylist-brittany-alberts-cosmetic-kitchen-upgrade-trade-secrets-included","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/it\/kitchen-of-the-week-stylist-brittany-alberts-cosmetic-kitchen-upgrade-trade-secrets-included\/","title":{"rendered":"La cucina della settimana: L'aggiornamento della cucina cosmetica della stilista Brittany Albert, segreti del mestiere inclusi"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Brittany Alberts\u2019s lament is a familiar one: \u201cIf budget hadn\u2019t been a consideration, we would have loved to expand the footprint of our kitchen. And we would have loved to put in new cabinets and appliances. Instead, we had to stick with\u2014and enhance what\u2014was already in place.\u201d<\/p>\n

The wrinkle? Brittany is a stylist who works with interior designers and home design brands, so she approached her own home with a ready arsenal of accessories and tricks.<\/p>\n

The narrow kitchen in question\u2014an L-shaped galley probably last updated in the 1990s (scroll to the end for a Before shot)\u2014was built as an addition to an 1880 farmhouse in Litchfield County, Connecticut, that Brittany and her husband, Sanders Witkow, a lawyer, bought as a retreat from their base in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

Taking a cosmetic tack made sense: the couple had a whole house to pull together and the existing kitchen, if not exactly to their taste, was in good working order. Come see how an interior stylist makes do\u2014and where she ponies up.<\/p>\n

Photography by Kate S. Jordan (@katesjordan), courtesy of Brittany Albert (@britt_albert). See disclaimer at end.<\/p>\n

Dopo<\/h2>\n


Above: The kitchen is situated just off the living room, which has its original hearth and beehive oven, and is likely where the kitchen was originally situated. As a link between the old and new\u2014and an extra work surface\u2014Brittany introduced an antique pine table from Plain Goods in New Preston, Connecticut, and hung a catchall Shaker peg rail over it. <\/p>\n

For peg rail inspiration, go to our posts Instant Order and 16 Design Ideas to Steal from the Shakers.<\/p>\n


Above: Brittany simply painted the cabinets and kept the existing dishwasher and other appliances. But she splurged by replacing the sink with a Shaws fireclay basin and deVol bridge faucet; read about the one she chose in our post Found: The Perfected Aged Brass Kitchen Faucet. Equally significantly, she swapped out the red granite counter.,<\/p>\n

How was she able to swing the new Calacatta Gold marble counter? \u201cWe found a slab at a local stone yard that had been sitting for months\u2014it had been reserved by another customer but never purchased\u2014and they gave us a big discount. Still, it was probably our biggest expense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n


Above: \u201cI was tempted to take out the upper cabinets and have open shelving,\u201d Brittany tells us, \u201cbut we were wary of hidden costs: when you rip out something. you don\u2019t knowing what you\u2019ll find behind it.\u201d Instead, she painted the upper bank Benjamin Moore White Dove \u201cto bounce more light around.\u201d Not wanting a chilly, all-white kitchen, she used Farrow and Ball\u2019s Elephant\u2019s Breath on the lower cabinets: \u201cI chose this light taupe for bit of contrast and interest\u2014and because it works so nicely with the palette in the rest of the house.\u201d <\/p>\n

The light over the sink is deVol\u2019s Small PlainSkullcap Porcelain Light; $290.<\/p>\n


Above: Another easy upgrade: Brittany replaced the existing cabinet hardware with A57 Plain Knobs from Optimum Brasses in the UK: \u201cI couldn\u2019t find any sources here that had that same nice patina and handmade quality. It was a very easy process and they didn\u2019t take long to come.\u201d Unlacquered brass, she notes, \u201cbrings warm light to the room.\u201d,

Above: The existing range and microwave stayed in place. So did the lovely but damaged wooden floor: a natural fiber mat, the Ralph Lauren Carena Weave Solid Jute Rug from Overstock, covers a problem area and \u201cbrings in some really nice texture.\u201d <\/p>\n

For the upshot on the perfect brass ceiling lights, go to Remodelista Reconnaissance.<\/p>\n


Above: The work table is next to the fridge (not shown), which is tucked into an existing cabinet.
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Above: The stylist at home: Brittany\u2019s restrained touch is a reminder that a tight space calls for simplicity.
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Above: There\u2019s a pantry in the hall right off the kitchen: it leads to the dining area in a large converted barn. Note the Lewis Double Switchplate, $25, from Rejuvenation\u2014Brittany replaced all of the white plastic switch covers with brass updates, a tiny detail that makes a difference.
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Above: The pantry doors are also painted Farrow & Ball\u2019s Elephant\u2019s Breath. <\/p>\n

Prima<\/h2>\n

Above: The kitchen was painted a pale gray and had a red granite counter, cabinet knobs in a satin silver finish, and recessed ceiling lights. <\/p>\n

Thinking of a cosmetic upgrade in your own kitchen? Take a look at:<\/p>\n