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The Ultimate Quarantine Kitchen

by habituallychic

05 . 30 . 20

You may have noticed that I haven’t blogged in a week. I don’t think I’ve gone this long in the entire 13 years I’ve been blogging and I’m not even exactly sure why, although I’m sure that twelve weeks of quarantine is definitely taking a toll. Joe Holder, an insanely in shape personal trainer who follows a plant based diet, asked on Twitter this week,” Honest question: is anyone else abnormally tired during this whole quarantine situation? The energy, or lack thereof at this moment, is really hard to fight through.” If he’s tired, image how the rest of us feel. And this was before the events of this weekend. I’m exhausted and often find it hard to concentrate on reading and writing. I read somewhere that it’s because our minds can’t process all the new stress in our lives. I’m trying to figure out how to remedy this going forward and hope to be back on track soon.

I figured that if I haven’t blogged in a week, I needed to post something special and I think this kitchen is going to inspire a lot of renovations. The “traditional detailing meets state-of-the-art technology” kitchen Rosedale Farm in Orange, NSW, Australia belongs to design expert and Belle magazine style director-at-large Steve Cordony. It was featured in the April issue of the magazine and figures prominently on his Instagram account with seasonal styling tips. As you’ll see from the before photos, Steve kept the same footprint but upgraded all the cabinets and appliances and created a new entrance into the coordinating laundry and mudroom. It looks like the perfect kitchen to cook meals for a quarantine. Perhaps we all need to move to Australia for the next one.

April 2020 issue of Belle magazine. You can read the feature and find credits here.

“Chevron parquetry flooring, striped Roman blinds and the distinguished details of the Shaker-style joinery evoke a sense of pastoral grandeur while modern appliances and notes of polished brass break the mould. After all, this is a kitchen designed to entertain at a moment’s notice.”

Kitchen before photo.

“Exquisite details include the Ralph Lauren Home ‘Anette’ single sconce from The Montauk Lighting Co. and a vase from Tamsin Johnson. Custom cabinetry by Winchester Interiors with fold-back Häfele pocket doors in Porter’s Paints Black Cockatoo.” 

Miele integrated dishwasher. 

“Armac Martin ‘Cotswold’ hardware in Burnished Brass from Gregory Croxford Living. Benchtop/splashback in Calacatta Vagli marble from CDK Stone. Walls in Porter’s Paints ‘Popcorn’ eggshell acrylic. Recycled French oak chevron parquetry from Woodstock Resources.” 

Before photo of the kitchen.

“The Miele ‘Generation 7000’ oven, steam oven and warming drawer in Obsidian Black alongside the Miele ‘Mastercool’ integrated fridge and freezer.”

My apartment in Paris had these types of doors that could be hidden back into the cabinet. They’re great because they don’t block the kitchen or pathway when you’re cooking and want to be able to easily access your pantry.

“I wanted the kitchen to be a mix of classic American elegance and Shaker style,” says Steve, who worked with Cordony Constructions on the build. “After much deliberation and sampling I decided to go with a deep khaki/charcoal colour that the brass hardware and lighting would contrast with.”

“It’s the hardest thing designing your ideal kitchen, and some items on my dream ‘must have’ list included recycled French chevron flooring, marble bench tops, brass handles/tapware, Miele appliances, Ralph Lauren lighting…the list went on.” – Steve Cordony

“The butler’s kitchen, laundry and mudroom is discreetly located to the right of the main kitchen.”

Before photo of butler pantry, laundry, and mudroom area.

“This space is a bit of a slashie, as it acts as a Butler’s pantry, mudroom and laundry. It leads off the kitchen, so I added a second integrated dishwasher and fridge/freezer plus a sink and extra storage space.” – Steve Cordony

On Instagram, Steve said that the laundry/mudroom was actually the starting point for designing the kitchen/living room. “It leads on from the back door which is the main entry point we use to come and go, with muddy boots (and dogs), so it needed to be durable as well as pretty.”
As a transitional space, the functionally, how it connects rooms, and the flow of the interior was just as important as the look and feel.

“We then added pocket doors to the long run of cabinetry to conceal the washer/dryer, and storage for the laundry. The functional bench seat for shoes etc. is practical but also allows you to add soft furnishings (and yet to come hooks and upholstered seat) to add a styled element to a very functional space.” – Steve Cordony

“The Miele washing machine and dryer are tucked neatly into custom joinery beside. The neighbouring bench seat is an exceptionally stylish spot for kicking off the RM’s after a long day on the farm.”

Photos by Felix Forest and via Instagram.