Kitchen Tour Spectacular

Rita Larson, Allied Member ASID
4240 Scott Terrace, Edina
Rita Larson’s Edina home was originally built for returning World War II veterans in 1950, when large kitchens weren’t exactly the rage. But what the house lacked in space, the tree-lined neighborhood made up for in charm. To make the home a reflection of their design sensibilities, Larson and her builder husband, Jeff Larson, set out to give it a Craftsman revamp, including a new kitchen added onto the back of the house. When it came to designing it, Larson started with one key feature: she wanted a red island.

Larson made that a reality with a butcher-block-topped island with cherry cabinets that have a red aniline dye, ensuring a mellow hue that doesn’t clash with the rest of the room. Larson didn’t bother with island seating, but she did add a matching leaf onto the island that can easily be raised for buffets or vegetable chopping. A nearby bench, table, and chairs create a charming dining space.

The perimeter countertops are a black soapstone, which gives the kitchen a vintage feel and is easy to maintain with regular oiling—contrary to popular belief, Larson says. “It is more fragile, but it matches the aged look better,” she says. Custom cherry cabinets blend well with reclaimed heart pine in the floor and reclaimed old-growth fir trim. The vaulted ceiling matches the vaulting at the front entryway and ties the new room with the rest of the home, along with creating architectural interest. “We wanted to keep the scale so it would match the existing house,” she says. Larson has also incorporated many of the items she and her husband have collected in their travels and in antique stores, including an antique pendant light over the sink and a mortise-and-tenon door from New Mexico.
Resources:
Appliances: Amana refrigerator, KitchenAid double oven and cooktop, Whirlpool dishwasher
Cabinets: Taylor Made Cabinets
Countertops: Northwestern Tile, Marble & Granite
Flooring: Duluth Timber
Lighting: Architectural Antiques

Lola Watson, Allied Member ASID
915 Coventry Pl., Edina
An entertainer and avid chef, this homeowner and her husband have lived in houses with some very big kitchens. But as theybegan to spend more time traveling, they decided to simplify and bought a smaller home in Edina with a scaled-back but open kitchen. With the help of designer Lola Watson, their kitchen is now both fully functional and reflects their unique style.

The first step in the design process was to antique and glaze the existing cupboards and add crown molding to give the kitchen some European traditional flavor, since the homeowners didn’t love the modern style of the cherry cupboards and solid surface countertops. The kitchen now boasts Cambria countertops along the perimeter, granite on the island, and elegant blown-glass pendants to match. The island has an additional sink, built-in bar, plenty of storage space, and a perfect spot to sit and have breakfast or get some work done. “Have you ever seen ‘Cheers?’” the homeowner asks. “This is my ‘Norm’ chair. This is where I sit—it’s my command post!” Antique plates collected in Old Jerusalem line the soffit above the cabinetry, and other treasures she and her husband collected in their travels feature prominently in the design.

Watson also came up with creative cabinetry solutions that make the smaller kitchen more functional. A large Sub-Zero refrigerator is complemented by two freezer drawers on one side of the living room’s stone fireplace and a beverage refrigerator drawer and wine cellar on the other—but you’d never know it to look at them. Open a hidden closet off the front door and you’ll find a perfect storage place for smaller kitchen appliances. “It really functions as well as any of my big kitchens ever did,” the homeowner says.
Resources:
Appliances: Sub-Zero refrigerator, KitchenAid ovens, ASKO dishwasher  Cabinets: Dura Supreme cabinets
Countertops: Cambria, granite
Flooring: Brazilian cherry
Lighting: LBL Lighting