Brambletye

When our clients fell in love with this 1930s Tudor Revival home, it was because of the details: intricate custom millwork, hand-carved newel posts, bronze-leaded optical-grade glass windows… even the roof gutters were a work of art! Plus, the home had plenty of room for their large family. All it really lacked was a modern, efficient, and functional kitchen.

The owners’ respect for their historic home drove our design and construction goals: quality and craftsmanship true to the original style. However, equally important for them was a kitchen suitable for family living. Beyond modern conveniences, they wanted a space that worked for their 9 children as well. The end result was elegant, functional—and whimsical too, such as a carved acorn atop an oak leaf scrolled newel post.

A custom-built eucalyptus cabinet with apothecary drawers tucked off the grand hallway provides storage space for everything imaginable—tiny drawers hold rubber bands and balls, larger drawers below and doors above hold art paper, fabric, and an assortment of arts and crafts supplies.

A hobbit door, designed for the smaller family members, opens to a cave-like space below the stairs. The humor of poison ivy carvings and a 2’ eye-level peak-a-boo door at the dog feeding station add a touch of child play to the room.

The oak-lined mudroom was designed with storage in mind—plenty of coat hooks, drawers, and cubbies accommodate the seasonal accessories for this family of 11. A testament to thoughtful design, meticulous craftsmanship, and fully engaged owners, the finished space is much loved—and very much lived in—glowing from the warmth of the family within.