{"id":2683,"date":"2025-11-02T22:42:35","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T14:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/2025\/11\/02\/kitchen-of-the-week-8-ideas-to-steal-from-a-young-designers-romantic-kitchen\/"},"modified":"2025-11-02T22:42:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T14:42:35","slug":"kitchen-of-the-week-8-ideas-to-steal-from-a-young-designers-romantic-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/kitchen-of-the-week-8-ideas-to-steal-from-a-young-designers-romantic-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"Dapur Minggu Ini: 8 Idea untuk Ditiru dari Dapur Romantis Seorang Pereka Muda"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Raisa Sandstrom\u2019s initial plans for her kitchen were entirely in shades of neutral: \u201cI was thinking of resale value and permanence, and trying to be safe,\u201d she says. Then she shared the plans with her boss, Sybil Urmston, of Boston design firm sirTank, who suggested Raisa rethink her approach: \u201cSybil urged me to create something that\u2019s me.\u201d<\/p>\n

That encouragement sent Raisa and her husband, Andrew Putnam, on a three-year creative journey involving 19th-century-style landscape wallpaper, heart pine paneling, torched lumber, an old post office table, orange storage cabinets, maple floorboards that they pulled out of a condemned house themselves, and so much more. They splurged on elements, such as the locally made cabinets, and paid next to nothing for others (Raisa loves old things and is an avid Facebook Marketplace shopper).<\/p>\n

The kitchen is the center of the action in the couple\u2019s late 1800s fixer-upper in Northampton, Massachusetts, which they bought in the summer of 2020. The two met nearby at UMass Amherst, where Raisa studied photography\u2014she began her design journey by spending summers working at Crate & Barrel and planning her dorm rooms in exquisite detail. Andrew graduated from the university\u2019s Stockbridge School of Agriculture with a degree in arboriculture, and is superintendent of urban forestry and landscapes for Cambridge, Massachusetts (The New York Times<\/em> recently spotlighted the city\u2019s Miyawaki tiny forest projects). He\u2019s also handy and a problem solver, and collaborated with Raisa every step of the way.<\/p>\n

They hired a series of contractors and finish carpenters to get the job done, but many of the details are their own hard work. And the results\u2014both grand and whimsical, old world and of this century\u2014depart from a lot of kitchen norms. We think there are some daring ideas here worth considering.<\/p>\n

Photography courtesy of Raisa Sandstrom (@raison_design).<\/p>\n

1. Formal wallpaper has a place in the kitchen.<\/h3>\n


Above: The house had been stripped of just about all original detailing and called for a new kitchen, which occupies the footprint of the old. House of Hackney\u2019s Plantasia wallpaper \u201csang\u201d to Raisa: \u201cthe verdure tapestry print depicts a woodland river scene reminiscent of our surroundings here in the valley, and I have a passion for antiques, so it felt right for our home. It brings the outside in\u2014and completely transformed our kitchen to a place of wonder and magic.\u201d,

Above: By applying the wallpaper to upper and surrounding walls, it\u2019s out of harm\u2019s way. And though it was a splurge, thanks to a lot of windows and a door, they didn\u2019t need a lot of rolls, which currently sell for $325 each. The companion greenery in Mason jars are branches from the willow bush in the yard. <\/p>\n

2. When you\u2019re designing for yourself, you can feel free to experiment.<\/h3>\n


Above: Raisa says she gets her design daring from her mother, Wanda Bacon, an artist\/illustrator and self-taught upholsterer who loves DIY projects (with Raisa, she wallpapered the light switch covers that are on the wallpaper, perfectly aligning the patterning). <\/p>\n

The 8-foot table originally stood in the post office in nearby Millers Falls. Andrew spotted it in a Craig\u2019s List ad, without photos, for $150. Part of a storage unit clean out, it came covered in wallpaper: Raisa applied two rounds of Citristrip followed by a sanding and two coats of food-safe beeswax butcher block oil to refinish it.<\/p>\n

,<\/p>\n

The countertops were a longtime open question. The couple considered concrete and soapstone before settling on honed Vermont Verde Antique (VVA) from a quarry just up I-91: \u201cIt has the look of marble and the brawn of granite,\u201d says Raisa. \u201cIt\u2019s used commercially around here. I love its warmth and durability, and the fact that it\u2019s local.\u201d Photograph by Cara Totman.<\/p>\n

3. Modern cabinets mingle well with antiques.<\/h3>\n


Above: The clear-coated maple veneer plywood cabinets were made by Boxco Studio, a sustainability minded nearby workshop run by a couple who helped Raisa and Andrew figure out the optimal layout. \u201cI love antiques, but I\u2019m also drawn to modern design, and the balance between the two,\u201d Raisa tell us. \u201cIt was really important to me that the kitchen be filled with interesting pieces and also function well.\u201d <\/p>\n

The cabinets ran to about $16,000, pantry wall included, and were the biggest cost. The brass faucet is Perrin & Rowe\u2019s Armstrong Pull-Down Bridge Faucet, approximately $1,500, and Raisa notes, pairs well with the Vintage Globe Sconces from the Netherlands, $398, and Raw Brass Outlet and Light Switch Covers on the paneled walls.<\/p>\n

4. Reuse materials you have on hand, such as old flooring as paneling.<\/h3>\n


Above: The backsplash was another long subject of debate. They considered \u201c1,000 tile samples,\u201d then Andrew held up some heart pine that was piled in the basement (they themselves had removed it from the foyer floor in favor of tile) and a lightbulb went off for both of them: \u201cIt looked perfect\u2014a warm, utilitarian surface that\u2019s easy to clean and maintain, and saved us a bunch of money,\u201d says Raisa. \u201cOne of our goals was to reuse as much material as possible throughout the house, so it was a no-brainer.\u201d,<\/p>\n

The Z Stools came from Central Mass Auctions\u2014$150 for the pair including several paintings\u2014and are sized just right to tuck under the table.<\/p>\n


Above: The table pairs well with the pine paneling. Andrew\u2014shown here wearing a shirt from Northampton\u2019s Mundus Press\u2014topped the paneling with a running cherrywood shelf. He covered the screw holes with contrasting wooden plugs, \u201ca sweet detail that make it look arts and craftsy,\u201d notes Raisa. Andrew also backed the globe sconces with six-inch cherry disks cut for them by Boxco (they enable the European lights to align with the American junction box). <\/p>\n

As for the floor, it\u2019s the original rock maple (the couple pulled it up and de-nailed it themselves, and had it sanded and re-installed). Parts had been replaced by linoleum and to fill in the gaps, Raisa and Andrew spent two days with pry bars salvaging matching maple boards from a 1940s house that was being torn down. The mat under the table is an Ember Indoor\/Outdoor Rug from Lulu and Georgia<\/p>\n

5. Two wild cards that work: a mirror as a stove backsplash and a shou sugi ban range hood cover.<\/h3>\n


Above: Behind the  stove\u2014a GE Caf\u00e9 Double Oven with an induction cooktop\u2014Raisa wanted to \u201cadd something that would break up the wood a bit and was easy to wipe down.\u201d A $168 vintage beveled mirror fit the bill: \u201cits reflective properties add light, it\u2019s easy to clean, and, when I\u2019m cooking, I can say hi to the people sitting behind me and feel connected to everyone.\u201d,<\/p>\n

The 1940s painted wooden tray with the bull came from a local Savers thrift store. Raisa plans to also hang cooking tools from the paneling.<\/p>\n


Above: The couple\u2019s goal for the hood: something that would integrate with the rest of the room and also lend visual interest. Andrew happened to own a blow torch, and made the shou sugi ban hood cover over the course of a weekend\u2014after watching a how-to video. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe treated the wood before and after, with teak oil to get a good char and a rich finish, and meticulously lined it up with the backsplash,\u201d says Raisa. \u201cTo us, it\u2019s the star of the kitchen.\u201d In fact, they were so happy with his results that they paneled the kitchen side exterior of the house with shou sugi ban. Read about the finish here.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the dishwasher next to the hood\u2014to make sure the cabinets don\u2019t have to \u201ccompete with the appliances,\u201d Raisa went with panel-ready options.<\/p>\n

6. Interesting displays elevate a kitchen.<\/h3>\n


Above: The running shelf serves as a place for favorite things, including some vintage paintings. Even in a space rich in pattern, they add vitality. <\/p>\n

The windows were supplied by Harvey, a nearby New Hampshire company, and have interior pine frames.<\/p>\n

,

Above: At Raisa\u2019s request, Andrew\u2019s running shelf is shallow on the sink wall\u2014so it serves as a ledge and doesn\u2019t get cluttered\u2014and deeper alongside the orange pantry. <\/p>\n

7. The pantry can have a big presence.<\/h3>\n


Above: From the get-go, Raisa envisioned contrasting cabinets that hold the fridge and serve as a pantry, broom closet, and extra storage. Wanting a \u201cfun moment in the space,\u201d she went with Dutch Orange, a Farrow & Ball shade that Boxco matched using an Osmo oil-stained finish. <\/p>\n

The couple opened the kitchen to the dining room, which they keep clean lined, and the pantry serves as a link between the two. \u201cIf we get sick of the orange,\u201d adds Raisa, \u201cwe can easily paint the cabinets.\u201d<\/p>\n

8. Kitchens are allowed to be moody.<\/h3>\n


Above: Raisa especially love the kitchen after dark when the lights\u2014with soft incandescent bulbs\u2014come on and the room takes on a speakeasy air. \u201cIt feels like we\u2019re in old Europe; it\u2019s super romantic.\u201d <\/p>\n

Featured photograph by Cara Totman.<\/p>\n

Here are three more highly personalized, labor-of-love kitchens:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • A Creative Director\u2019s Right the Wrongs Kitchen Update in Three Stages, Budget Edition<\/li>\n
  • Colorful and Custom\u2014with a Tight Budget and Even Tighter Footprint<\/li>\n
  • In Hastings On Hudson: A 1700s Cookspace Inspired by a Painting<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Rancangan awal Raisa Sandstrom untuk dapurnya sepenuhnya dalam rona neutral: \u201cSaya memikirkan nilai jual semula dan kekekalan, dan cuba untuk selamat,\u201d katanya. Kemudian dia berkongsi rancangan itu dengan bosnya, Sybil Urmston, dari firma reka bentuk Boston sirTank, yang mencadangkan agar Raisa menilai semula pendekatannya: \u201cSybil menggesa saya untuk mencipta sesuatu [\u2026]\"<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diy-projects"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2683"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2683\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/ms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}