The Kitchen at 43 Church Street Was designed by Josh Fenollosa of Brown/Fenollosa Architects and made by me for my residence. 

My wife and I are both cooks and wanted an open concept, professional kitchen, with good storage and better, large work surfaces. One of the challenges was needing a large high volume hood fan for the 48″ Capital Range. Each of the 6 burners can provide 24,000BTU’s The 52″ hood fan has a remote roof mounted blower (1600CFM) which required a 10″ duct. The right upper cabinets had to provide a chase for this pipe as well as appearing to be a cabinet that went to the ceiling. We made the cabinets custom, around this obstacle. The Left upper cabinets needed to be built around the shower trap above and provide room for the sink vent. Each cabinet was built to accomodate all these pipes and appear whole, inside and out. 

Our first floor was designed for entertaining, assuming the kitchen Island was going to be the focal point. There is a bar set up on the end cabinet near the prep sink and the space works well when a bunch of people are over for dinner or cocktails. 

We added a window over the kitchen sink which was tricky since the outside was being restored to the period (1849). The addition of this window, replacing a jalousie window from the 50’s, needed to look right on the outside while providing natural llight, and being above counter height.

All the floors in the house are #2 white oak finished with an OSMO oil/wax mixture which we carried into the kitchen. We wanted floors that were good for our dogs, and guests that don’t have to take their shoes off. We put down large Gel Matts in front of the stove and sink to help the floors a little and provide comfort while cooking maintaining a continuity on the floor.

The lighting is set up in several scenes on the smart house system and provide adequate light for both cooking and intimate dining. We believe that every inch of this kitchen was designed perfectly for our style and our lifestyle.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The New Carbon Architecture: Building to Cool the Climate

With this book, architect Bruce King changes the conversation around what it means to build a green home. Take everything you thought you knew about the topic, and just set it aside and let Bruce explain why embodied carbon trumps the rest of what is undoubtedly important.

Buy at Amazon

Musings of an Energy Nerd: Toward an Energy-Efficient Home

Fine Homebuilding readers know Martin Holladay well and love his practical, cost-effective approach to energy-efficiency and green building. In this book, he walks you through every step of planning an energy-smart home that is healthy, durable, and comfortable.

Buy at Amazon

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction

Now in it’s 5th edition, Rob Thallon’s book for builders has been a go-to resource for decades. This book features clear graphics that will help you understand how nearly all American houses are — or should be — built.

Buy at Amazon