Fresh Take

When a family of five hired Laurie Fulkerson of Twin Construction to renovate the kitchen in their Mountain Brook home, they had a definitive wish list: statement cabinetry, herringbone wood floors, a bar area, and an island without seating.

The homeowner knew she wanted an island, but she also knew she didn’t want anyone to sit at it. She prefers that her family sits at the kitchen table together. Instead of stools, this custom island includes deep drawers that store dishes for entertaining. Photos by Jean Allsopp

Laurie Fulkerson difference maker

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
Laurie suggests bringing a designer on board in the early days of your project planning. Having a design in place helps your contractor give an accurate estimate of price and time frame.

CHOOSE MARBLE
“I love marble because it’s timeless,” says Laurie. “It’s going to be just as pretty in a hundred years as it is today.” She used Crema Nuvolatta from Surface One in this kitchen.

SAVE SPACE WITH A CONVECTION OVEN
This all-in-one appliance includes a microwave to use regularly, as well as a second oven.

BE PLAYFUL
“I have found that when you use a unique design on the cabinet hardware, it is one of the first things that gets noticed,” says Laurie.

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What Makes it Transitional

NEUTRAL PALETTE
Benjamin Moore “Linen White” was already used in the house, so Laurie chose to carry the creamy paint color into the kitchen. The walls, trim, and ceiling read clean and calm in this hue. Against this neutral base, other elements create contrast.

STREAMLINED CABINETRY
Cabinets by Parsons Custom Cabinetry feature a low-profile design that allows them to blend in to the scenery of the kitchen. White oak differentiates the bar cabinets from the painted kitchen area. Sliding glass doors display the client’s glassware collection in a built-in reminiscent of a hutch. The curved lines and intricate carvings on the door designs of these special-area installations set them apart from the kitchen cabinets.

“When I think of transitional, I think of timeless with just a little bit of edge to make it different.” – Laurie Fulkerson

NATURAL AND MANUFACTURED
Fulkerson used a mix of materials to add interest and texture to the kitchen’s crisp palette. The dark tone of the herringbone hardwood flooring is paired with a custom light stain on the white oak of the island. Wood reeding on the island, the base of the range hood, and in the bar cabinets contributes an organic texture. A stainless steel, single-basin sink with brass accents from Texas Lightsmith balances the natural elements.

CONTRASTING LIGHTING
The homeowner kept the existing black-and-gold Currey & Company light fixture over the breakfast table, and Laurie decided to use it as inspiration. Modern, adjustable sconces for the sink wall mimic the dramatic chandelier, while a more traditional candle-inspired, multi-light fixture hangs over the island.

The beautiful view off the back of the house justified new floor-to-ceiling Lincoln clad windows from Alpha Millworks in the breakfast room which, with the built-in bar, sits at the opposite end of the island from the range.

DON’T FORGET THE LAUNDRY
For the homeowner, a mom to three hard-playing kids, Laurie wanted laundry to feel like less of a chore by making the space beautiful. Farrow & Ball “Light Blue” paint transformed the cabinets, and eccentric peacock wallpaper gave the walls new life. Laurie convinced the homeowner to give the pattern a try because she felt it fit her personality perfectly.

RESOURCES
Designer: Laurie Fulkerson, Twin Interiors of Twin Construction Construction: Twin Construction Cabinets: Parsons Custom Cabinetry

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