Colorful Classic

Lori Kurnitsky

Bluebell Kitchens, Wayne, PA

Associate Designer: Olga Carlson

Co-Designer: Michele Plachter, Michele Plachter Design, Philadelphia, PA

Updating an outdated kitchen in an older home presents a range of challenges, and those challenges are often compounded by the personalized requests of the homeowners. For Lori Kurnitsky and Olga Carlson of Bluebell Kitchens, who worked with Michele Plachter of Michele Plachter Designs, adding functional and fun touches to a classic kitchen design that maintained the historic, traditional feel of the house was paramount. 

The designers reconfigured the floor plan of the outdated, small footprint to work best for the family’s routine. Low ceilings and multiple walls made the space feel closed off, so a number of load-bearing walls were removed and supported with flush beams to help open up the space. The updated kitchen area includes a butler’s pantry, mudroom and bar outside of the kitchen proper.

White cabinetry from Quality Custom Cabinetry’s Vision Collection is featured throughout, showcasing the company’s Sonoma door style paired with Empire cabinet pulls from Rocky Mountain Hardware. The countertops and backsplash are fashioned from Nambian White Honed Quartzite, adding to the clean, classic elegance of the space. 

To add a touch of color and whimsy, glass-fronted cabinets display a bright coral/raspberry colored interior. Along the back wall, a Wolf cooktop is topped by a custom metal hood from Raw Urth, with a Wolf 30″ single oven and 30″ steam oven stacked on one side. Along the perpendicular wall sits a Wolf drawer appliance, as well as a paneled Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer.

The island features a dishwasher from Miele, along with a Julien sink and Waterstone faucet. Above, colorful lighting plays off the interior cabinet hues, adding that touch of personalized style that the homeowners craved.