European Coastal Blend

HEATHER & MATT FRENCH

French & French Interiors, Santa Fe, NM

With a goal of blending the client’s French heritage with the charm of Old Florida design, this St. Petersburg, FL kitchen remodel embodies both European elegance and coastal vibrancy. The formerly blank canvas was transformed into a richly layered and highly personalized space that reflects the client’s unique aesthetic through a sophisticated mix of custom details, rich textures and a thoughtful palette that harmonizes with the rest of the home’s bold, patterned interiors. 

For example, Cambria’s Brittanicca Gold Warm quartz tops the base cabinetry on the island and perimeter and serves as the backsplash. The white oak island apron is custom fabricated by Boyd & Allister, a custom furniture studio in Santa Fe. The wall and base cabinets are accented with House of Antique Hardware Unlacquered Brass cabinet pulls in an Arts and Crafts design. The latter’s gold tone matches the Waterworks Brass Henry kitchen faucet and Visual Comfort hand-rubbed Antique Brass Gale pendants above the island. 

Because of the kitchen’s highly customized design, exceptional coordination amongst all parties – including the general contractor, millwork fabricator, designer and homeowner – was needed to ensure every detail was executed properly. As well, navigating the complexities of remote collaboration across teams and time zones was a consistent challenge. 

To keep the project on track and uphold the high level of customization, the team implemented a rigorous communication strategy that included weekly video calls and near-daily email updates to align on exact measurements and finishes, especially for bespoke elements like the island components, which were designed with precision and shipped from Santa Fe. This project’s success demonstrated how thoughtful planning and teamwork can bring highly detailed design visions to life, even across long distances.