Back River

Project Details

Architect + Builder

Knickerbocker Group

Photography

Erin Little

Stylist

Danielle McGee

A modernized kitchen envisioned

Situated on a stunning river site where the tides run hard, this home was well-built and detailed by shipwrights, although the homeowner’s desired a kitchen dedicated to a thoughtful future.

Back River, Before

The before photos demonstrate the vision for a kitchen that embraced both sustainability and modern elegance. The result is a revitalized kitchen where smart design meets environmental consciousness. It is a testament to how a thoughtful remodel can breathe new life into a cherished home, blending functionality with timeless style.

Efficiency and a European design aesthetic

In addition to an upgrade for energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality, the clients envisioned a modernized kitchen that incorporated a contemporary European aesthetic. Environmentalists and vegetarians, the design required a dedicated composting receptacle and a focus on minimizing plastic packaging. This meant reconsidering the typical cabinet for large waste receptacles—everything fit under the sink!

Navigating the existing architectural intricacies

Back River’s cabinetry is minimal, the interest coming from the subtle contrast between the solid gray finish with the rich dark stained ash. Another atypical request was to forgo island seating. The island’s presence is more like a furniture piece and functions as an understated room divider. The design’s most demanding aspect was navigating the existing architectural intricacies, including varied ceiling heights, obstructions, skylights, and openings to the adjoining hallway, all of which required careful consideration for lighting. Thoughtful planning was essential to position fixtures to provide adequate task lighting and elegant overall illumination. This was solved by creating a custom-configured light fixture above the island, suspended on cables, to compensate for irregular ceiling height. Task lighting was installed over the perimeter counters within a suspended soffit, enhancing the dramatic effect. Together, these elements combine to create a contemporary space marked by clean lines and smart efficiencies.