Custom Cabinetry from Princeton Design Guild

Here's probably the last piece of cabinetry that has been finished in the Carriage House nest.  Princeton Design Guild's Kevin Wilkes gave me a super idea to add a cork board to the cabinet.  I went to Stone Tec and picked out a remnant again of Calcutta Gold Extra Marble.  It has been the right decision for me to go with custom cabinetry for my space.  The weight of the doors alone are lovely to open and close!    We now will amend the walk in master closet next.   Shelves are being designed for this space. I am not a fashionista at all but I am a neat freak.  I prefer style in the garden and home.

Marble Slab for Bathroom in the Hopewell Carriage House

I thought I would share with you what the marble slab that will go upstairs looks like.  This piece was a remnant. I had it honed because I prefer that appearance and it will be more forgiving with etching down the road. People are a little scared of marble. I don't know why.  Perhaps a little more care that something else but if you love it, you will want to take care of it! This is another piece of Calacatta Gold Extra.
The cabinet will be deeper and top will be a 27 and half inch width.  Ceilings are too low for anything other than an undermount sink.  It is kind of nice to do these projects piece by piece.  Nothing is a rush job and it allows me to be my precise self!  It is in Princeton Design Guilds hands now to complete custom cabinetry.  This furniture piece will be off the ground but it will have a back splash also of the marble which is three inches.

Calacatta Gold Extra Marble in the Hopewell Carriage House

Another exciting day in the kitchen!  The marble backsplash was installed with an emphasis on following the veining from the countertop through to the splash.  In most places it was able to be done.
My marble fabricator sealed this honed marble and it looked easy as pie. This will be my responsibility in six months.

 Princeton Design Guild coordinated with my fabricator on the windowsill today and that will be done next week.  I was pretty clear that I wanted a divine sill for my plants and they will not be disappointed with what is coming! I don't know if you can tell from the pictures but the windows are wood and must have been replaced prior to me.  They are  classic quality so the sill will compliment it well when finished.  OK, so the marble is a splurge. I will be more joyful in this kitchen with its exposed beams and sloping floors because of it! And I am sure one day someone else like me,  that loves a charming home will love to take her over. In the long meantime,  I am so pleased that it is me.

Princeton Design Guild Kitchen Gut

As the heat slows down my desire to work on the inside heats up! The carriage house needs a  Shaw
sink fitting its era of 1890 and a  proper Perrins and Rowe English faucet.  I love,  love this design company in England Plain English Design  which really suits this Wren nest.  Simplicity and some timeless elegance.  Since the original beams are still in the kitchen,  anything too fussy would  look ridiculous. The Shaw sinks are popular now though I have loved them for years.

I will keep the open shelving because I love displaying my Burleigh ware and other treasures. It's humble and works with the house.  If you remember the tile that was here, that is what Princeton Design Guild  came to dismantle... That is putting it nicely...Today Kevin came over with his head cabinet maker to give me wonderful options. I will be sticking with a plain Shaker style cabinet to match what is already here.  It is amazing how quickly a kitchen can be taken apart for a redo.  It took them a couple of hours.  And they seem to have taken every bit of dusk with them from the tile. That's it and we are on to the next phase.

Kevin explains everything in a such easy detail;  I have so much confidence working with him.  All I have to say is Calacutta Gold Extra Honed!!!This marble is not safe.  Veins will be throughout and the backsplash will be marble also.The slab I chose does have some very soft gold in it and subtle green. I am a marble girl, what can I say?  A carriage house to me, needs some classic marble. Soapstone might have been a nice option also,  though the kitchen is on the north side of the house. Too dark for my liking for this kitchen.  Yes,  it will need to be cared for a bit and I am just the woman to do it.

 I am very happy to have picked a home that needed some updating or restoring. I get to make all of the decisions and since I know what I like that part is easy.  I also paid close attention to what will make a solid investment, will  give me pleasure, and respect the intregrity of this historic home in the Boro.  The Boro is so close knit that I have had three families tell me when they have lived in this house!

Faucet Fettish at the Hopewell Carriage House

As I sit and sip Assam Tea I want to share what is going on inside the 1890 Carriage House.  When I purchased this house last April all appliances in the kitchen needed to go.  The dishwasher leaked and the oven was not up to par.  I decided on the Miele Optima series dishwasher. I am a huge fan of this dishwasher, a GE cafe stove with a second oven below and a Fisher Paykel fridge so that freezer can be on the bottom.

The next thing that needs to be done is to change out the sink and faucets.  I decided on Perrins and Rowe faucets from London that are very vintage in polished nickel and no sprayer.  An orginal Shaw farm sink will be put in which is keeping the era of  the house. These sinks have been made since 1897.  I also wanted one for my last house but it did not fit design wise so I waited and I am happy I did.  I believe in working with the bones of a home and respecting its historic place.  So I will not change out the cabinets for a couple of reasons, it's BIG money but more importantly I love the open shelving that is already here and I would put cabinets in that already look like what is here. I do not want a perfect look.  This is a humble carriage house and what is here is already right.

I do hate the tile that is here though. From a distance it might look charming.  Close up it is grungy at best. It is hard to keep clean and it needs to move on.
  What is coming is Calcutta marble.  Carrera is just a bit too safe for me and I love the veining of the Calcutta.  Will show you a quick sample of that.

Here is the Calcutta! I am going to use it as the counters and backslash.  Aren't I fancy?  I think it will look classic, understated and delicious.   I will of course,  keep the maple center island in place for prep work in the kitchen.  So why not have a bit of marble? I will make me immensely happy and I believe it will make the next homeowner happy too someday.

Check out the English faucet..
I love it so much I might sleep with it until installed.

Princeton Artisan Designs and "Upcycles"

Check out Jonathan Shor's  Quoin granite seat that is "upcylced" from a building in Philadelphia. He recycled a steel  I-beam and assembled a beautiful piece of teak as the back of the seat. This is definitely not a piece of art one would forget seeing in an outdoor landscape.