Randy Trainor Alex Beatty

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How does one design an eat-in kitchen that is beautiful and functions well and is located in a 12 by 12 foot space in the corner of a large open-concept living room and formal dining room? These were the challenges we faced as we embarked upon the kitchen design for this townhome on the coast in Rye, New Hampshire.

Construction on the first floor was just beginning as we sat down to discuss ideas including function, layout, types of appliances and the decor. Many people are often surprised to learn that my primary job as a designer is to look after the safety, health and welfare of my clients. I do this by finding out how a family lives, how many people will be using the space on a daily basis, how casual or formal their lifestyle is, and whether or not any special needs must be accommodated.

The texture and subtle design of the tumbled marble backsplash contrasts beautifully with the gleaming granite countertops and glazed cabinetry.

This new kitchen would see daily use and would also have to accommodate visiting family and friends, so traffic flow and counter space were the first things we addressed. By designing a large curved island to separate the kitchen from the living and dining areas, traffic could flow easily around the two entrances on either side of the island. The spacious countertop would also provide plenty of surface area to work on and the side facing the living room area could accommodate two to three barstools. Great lighting consisting of recessed ceiling fixtures, under cabinet fluorescents and pendants over the island, would compliment the functional design while providing enough light for safe food preparation and cooking.

Inside the kitchen we placed a floor-to-ceiling cabinet that would provide a large amount of storage with shelving on the top and large drawers below. Corner cupboards with lazy-susan shelves created additional storage in normally hard-to-reach areas. Two glass-faced upper cabinets provided an area to display china and glassware.

In planning discussions, I discovered that having a spot to keep food warm was important, so we chose a stove with a vented hood that has heat lamps with a fixed shelf below and a stainless steel backsplash as part of its design.  We decided that a flush-mount refrigerator that didn’t protrude beyond the face of the lower cabinets would be perfect, and this we located a few steps to the right of the sink and in a spot convenient to both the kitchen and dining area. Any cook would be happy to cook with the top-of-the-line appliances selected.

The setting itself inspired the decor. The colors of the sea and the sand were selected as the color palette throughout the house. We chose creamy cabinets glazed with a yellow overtone to mimic Caribbean sand paired with a darker toned backsplash, stainless steel appliances and black countertops reminiscent of the colors found on New England beaches. Matching panels were added to the fronts of the dishwasher and refrigerator to keep the design smooth, and the gorgeous blues and greens used in the valance fabric on the single kitchen window completed the tropical effect. Rattan barstools finished in a warm brown and covered with turquoise and brown fabric tied it all together.

Often I find that my clients approach a design project with trepidation, as they are afraid of making expensive mistakes. With input from all parties, this particular kitchen design eliminated all of those fears and ended with a wonderful solution for everyone involved.


Randy Trainor, owner of C. Randolph Trainor, LLC, has been helping clients throughout New England for the past 18 years.  She has won numerous design awards, and her work has been published in several decorating books
and magazines.  Randy can be reached at 603 433-4485 or online at crt@crtinteriors.com.  Also, visit her website
at  crtinteriors.com.