Sustainably-Minded Design
HEATHER & MATT FRENCH
French & French Interiors, Santa Fe, NM
Sustainability played a meaningful role in the transformation of this former corridor-style kitchen and oddly laid out dining room into a warm, inviting eat-in kitchen that blends timeless elegance with comfort. The design duo integrated vintage and antique elements to create a layered and character-rich space that is now the heart of the home.
To reduce construction waste, the designers used some original architectural elements, such as doors and windows that were preserved to maintain their historical patina. As well, the vintage island and antique breakfast table were sourced secondhand to avoid new production and give the well-loved pieces new life. These were complemented with new appliances, such as the ILVE range and the ZLINE refrigerator, range hood and dishwasher. Visual Comfort star flush-mount ceiling lights and deVol Kitchens wall light provide illumination.
Key goals included modifying the original narrow and poorly configured kitchen to improve flow and functionality, without major structural changes. In that effort, a pocket door helped to open the space. As well, a window was removed and a door was moved and reset. Several appliances were repositioned, which demanded rerouting utilities.
A significant challenge was to convert existing air registers into toe kicks when moving cabinetry, and although vital to preserving the home’s character, reusing the doors and windows proved more complex than installing new ones. Additionally, missing flooring discovered beneath the original sink and range required patching, and bringing in large, fully assembled pantry cabinets was physically difficult.
However, smart design and resourceful planning enabled the team to work within the home’s existing footprint to create a design that uses rich materials, color and thoughtfully sourced pieces – such as the Santa Clara Brass brass sink with integrated drainboard, deVol Kitchens Aged Brass Hanging Rail and Modern Matter cabinet hardware – to uphold the character of the home.
