Edina Kitchen

Photo by Grey Crawford

Arches play an important design role and are carried through with the window, the tile pattern above the stove, the curve of the banquette in the informal dining area, as well as a starring role above the pillars that separate the kitchen and family room.

June 2006

By Jayne Haugen Olson

Project: Edina Kitchen
Designer: Renee LeJeune Hallberg, ASID, allied member
Firm: William Beson Interior Design, Minneapolis, 612-338-8187

This kitchen caught our eye for its take on the new Old World kitchen. The look is fresh, not overly fussy, and still delivers the charm and warmth that draws homeowners to Old World in the first place.

For this space, which was part of a new construction job by architect Richard C. Lundin, AIA, of Three Studios, interior designer Renee LeJeune Hallberg was hired to create a kitchen that would combine traditional Old World character with today’s modern conveniences.

While the owners are drawn to darker colors, Hallberg urged them to paint and glaze the kitchen cabinets a deep cream. With the dark walnut floors, plus from the dark walls and stained woodwork in the adjoining family room, the cabinets created the needed balance and gave the kitchen its own identity. The center island—painted a deep blue green and given decorative legs and an open shelf—was made to look more like a furniture piece and creates a visual link to the furnishings of the family room.

As for surfaces, the trend of mixing finishes continues with a butcher-block top on the island, which provides a wonderful warm compliment to the Giallo Beach granite countertops throughout the space and blends nicely with the cream cabinets, but also provides contrast to the walnut floor.

In keeping with the Old World feel, Hallberg found an iron chandelier, traditional ly styled faucets, and cabinet hardware. Oversized wicker baskets in a sophisticated weave conceal pots and pans and add charm.

We Asked Renee

Kitchen trends: Details such as great tile design for backsplashes and the decorative hood above the stovetop. From a practical standpoint, have plenty of storage available, the right appliances that fit your needs, and definitely a center island with barstools for family and social gatherings. As a finishing touch, cabinet hardware should be the “jewelry” in the room—make it special.

Interior design today: I am most excited about the uses of color and mixes of styles I’m seeing. You can take a traditional setting and give it a wonderfully updated twist just by using bold fabrics and fun colors. Use a bold lime green and blue damask on the inside of a wing chair and put lime leather on the outside of the chair and stud it with shiny chrome nail heads—voilà, a new take on a traditional frame. Continue the look by using antique mirrored or shiny nickel wall sconces on both sides of a rich antique chest with a contemporary piece of art above it—the classic style is wonderful, yet it has been elevated to a fresh, updated look.

Trends: I was just at High Point, North Carolina. I saw lots of luxurious fabrics—silks, damasks, linens, and velvets—on furniture with fabulous trims. • Furniture is being shown in painted finishes as well as stained. •Color! And lots of it. Use it on your walls or in your upholstery.