The winner of the 2018 Considered Design Awards Best Kitchen Organization is Jamie’s Whitetail Farmhouse project in Texas.
The amateur project was chosen as a finalist by The Organized Home editor Fan Winston, who said: “I really admire how considered the storage details were—the plate rack for her ironstone collection, the miniature barn doors integrated into her pantry design, the crate under the microwave shelf. They really bring the kitchen together in a cohesive but not tacky way.”
Whitetail Farmhouse Design Statement: “A kitchen design with early American vintage charm and modern-day farmhouse organization and amenities.”
The Organized Home: Where do you live?
Jamie: We live in a small, modest town in southeast Texas with a population of just a few thousand, perfectly situated near the scenic coast and many lovely lakes. A winding gravel road leads directly to our white farmhouse and a red barn surrounded by acres of beautiful oaks and pines alongside newly planted hydrangeas, wisteria, and jasmine. The land was in a derelict state when we originally purchased it, but we saw the potential immediately and felt an instant desire for the sustainable lifestyle that comes with time spent cultivating and nurturing a home.
TOH: What were your practical goals for the project?
J: To create a kitchen that stayed true to the farmhouse kitchens of the past, yet with modern amenities included for function and ease. When I designed our kitchen, I studied the farmhouse kitchens of yesteryear for inspiration. I kept seeing the same elements creep up again and again—beadboard, Shaker cabinets, farmhouse sinks (with a skirted curtain underneath), oversize plate racks, cabinet doors with window panes and brackets. So I took all of the above elements, updated the look, and added in my favorite combination of wood tones, white, and neutrals.
TOH: What solutions did you find to your design problems?
J: I wouldn’t say that it was a problem, exactly, but more of a challenge when it came to the planning phase of designing our pantry. The difficulty began when I was designing the layout of our home and wanted a large laundry and mudroom area, instead of the typical butler’s pantry or walk-in pantry closet. I had to get creative with an entirely new concept for holding the pantry goods. I started sketching out different ideas for a pantry cabinet area that would recess into the wall and be multi-purpose—integrating both a baking station and a coffee bar. I went back to the drawing board three times before signing the plans off to production!
TOH: What are your favorite features of the project?
J: What I love most about our kitchen is the blend of textures from the wood tones, the contrast of the marble countertops against the butcher block on the antique island, the chicken wire on the cabinet doors, the DIY basket light fixture, the shiplap on the wall, and the French curtains that were made by my mom. It is a lot to take in! Even now, it takes my breath away to see the finished result.
TOH: What advice do you have for someone undertaking a similar project?
J: One of the most important pieces of advice I can offer to readers in any phase of design is to be patient with the process and not to rush through it or you may have a few regrets by the end. Be intentional and personal with every detail to help your kitchen look collected and curated—as though it has evolved over time. This can be achieved by avoiding the “matchy-matchy” look. For example, on one side of the kitchen I have upper cabinets, but on the other side I installed open shelving with a plate rack above the sink. I encourage you to think outside the box and create a space that will carry you beyond the design trends—one that is built on the time-tested classics and will last just as long.
TOH: What was your biggest splurge?
J: My Rohl kitchen bridge faucet. When I experienced the beautiful Rohl brand in person, I knew without a doubt that it would hold true to the farmhouse look of yesteryear that I desperately wanted to achieve.
TOH: Where did you cut corners?
J: My husband finished the trim work along with his dad, who helped us complete the painting and staining. That alone saved us a ton in our budget, since we did the work ourselves instead of hiring it out. I made a last-minute change and had my husband add shiplap pine boards as the backsplash in our kitchen, instead of my original plan to tile up the wall. We also installed expensive-looking hardware without the high price tag by choosing Martha Stewart’s line from Home Depot, which was another cost-saving measure. The quantity of hardware needed for a kitchen can add up quickly, so if you can cut the cost in that corner, it will help keep the overall budget down.
TOH: What projects would you tackle if you had an unlimited budget?
J: A large concept development of a planned community where farmhouse living meets modern luxury, while still holding true to a small-town vibe. You would be welcomed by a community event center with lush organic vegetable gardens, green space full of private parks, and nature trails that would foster a sanctuary of wildlife. All of this could be viewed from your wraparound summer porch, just past your white picket fence. Are you sold yet? I have the full vision of it already.
TOH: What is your best secret design source?
J: It’s no secret how much I adore Dreamy Whites, who specialize in authentic French farmhouse antiques and goods. I sourced several items for my kitchen from them, including the green canning jars, farm sifter, market baskets, enamel pitcher, soaps, and more. All of their goods have been carefully selected from the countryside of France and are delivered conveniently to your doorstep.
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