The 2023 Newburyport PTO Kitchen & Tasting was last week and as always a great way to spend a nice Saturday! This year there were 10 homes on the tour. I didn’t make it to all the houses as I had an unfortunate altercation with a berm on the side of a road. I didn’t fall but stepped down so hard on my left foot that I have myself a Charlie-horse in my calf muscle. And then I did it again at another house. I blame my sandals which I was wearing for the first time this season and were giving me a roaring blister. In any event – I was hobbling around a bit.
Anyway… I wanted to share two of my favorite houses – both with white kitchens but at opposite ends of the style spectrum. Both are spectacular examples of their design style with beautiful finishes.
Come walk with me – or hobble, as it were.
A Tale of Two White Kitchens – 1850 Federalist / Italianate
Architects and Design: Brian Libby + Sarah Sumner Design
Interiors and Kitchen: Sarah Sumner Design
Builder: Head Above Builders
This first house is an 1850 Federalist style home with Italianate details. A mash-up as it were. I was very excited when I realized this house was on the tour. It was on the Holiday House Tour in December – but they weren’t allowing photographs at that time. This time, however photos were allowed.
Just a really pretty and classic kitchen – with the palest blue La Cornue I’ve ever seen. The marble counter tops are Danby marble with a Carrera marble subway tile backsplash. The cabinets are Benjamin Moore White Dove. The hardware is from House of Antique Hardware and the lighting is Visual Comfort.
The real treat in the house is the butler’s pantry across the center all of the home with wine fridge and full freezer. There is a “hidden” storage pantry packed to the brim but I couldn’t get a photo of it as there were always people ogling the organization.
The copper sink is vintage and the sconces were salvaged from a hotel on Lake Champlain.
In the sea of calm whiteness is this bold and beautiful bathroom.
If you notice in the reflection in the mirror – the door to the bathroom is scraped clean. A casual touch among all the fine and elegant finishes.
The great room is a new addition at the back of the house.
The central hallway (looking back towards the front door) with the graciously proportioned arches is new as well. The kitchen is on the left where the lady in red is standing and the butler’s pantry/hidden pantry and bathroom are directly across on the right.
The formal dining room is on the right side of this hall as well (when looking towards the front.
A Tale of Two White Kitchens – Modern Farmhouse
Builder: Ben Becker, BLB Design / Build
Kitchen Architects: Anne Barrett/ 30 E Designs + Eric Miller Architects Construction Adimistration
Cabinets: Curtis Cabinetry
White the classic property above is more my personal style, this modern farmhouse manages to be boldly contemporary yet warm and inviting. Upon entering the front door, the living room is on the left with this steel and glass wall partition. I’m not sure if the glass was seeded (which is a fun nod to the history of the city) or it’s an illusion caught by my camera? The chandelier (which I did not get a good photo of) is listed as the Reginal Andrew Bubbles Chandelier. The glass wall creates a nice illusion of a center hallway towards the back of the house and the kitchen.
The house abuts a public park and the kitchen has been designed to really take advantage of the elegant park views.
I’m going to copy the text describing the kitchen from the tour booklet as it’s quite technical!
“Sleek Rehau Rauvisio Crystal Biano/ Woodgrain Rehau Rauvisio Terra Elm cabinets were chosen with minimal chrome hardware for a contemporary feel. The Terra Elm finish provides contrast while the mostly bright white panels bounce light around the space. The room is framed with Fry-reglet inset C-Channel trim with walls painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. Flooring is 5″ white oak with Bona natural seal, completing the soft natural look.”
The central island with breakfast bar is Dolomite marble. Appliances are Bosch, Sub-Zero, Miele and Delonghi.
The simplicity of the kitchen extends to the dining area with simple black oak table and white and gray chairs and sculptural Hinkley Archer chandelier.
The entire back wall has a Lutron controlled shade system built into the ceiling for privacy and light control.
The backyard beckons with more traditional black and white striped fabrics and patio furniture overlooking the park beyond the wrought iron fencing.
Pin for future reference.
I hope you enjoyed my two favorite white kitchens from this year’s Newburyport Kitchen Tour! Coming up will be a post on two 19th century gems including my ancestor’s Greek Revival home and I’ll share whether I felt his “presence” or not!
Check out some past tours here, here and here.
Oh my God, I LOVE that first house – the kitchen, the hallway – I’d be very happy living there!
Me too! I’ve decided I’d be very happy to live in the first house and vacation in the second.
Bingo!
Hi Riva – these are both great aren’t they!
Oh my! That first house is my ideal, I would happily move right in…and that butlers pantry is the pièce de résistance! WOW 😍. And as long as we’re fantasizing here, I’d like it on the property of the second house with that park in the backyard 😂. Both gorgeous!