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New York City kitchens aren’t known for their generous sizes, but Christy Pregont hit the real-estate jackpot when she found her apartment in Brooklyn. The long, sunny space was perfect for a home baker like herself, even if the cabinetry and dark, dated countertops left something to be desired. “It was…fine,” Pregont recalls of the space pre-renovation. But she could immediately see the potential to make her dream cooking space a reality (lots of storage for her cake pans and mixers included).
Pregont linked up with Studio Fauve designer Charlotte Sylvain to help with the remodel and gave only a few directives: She wanted a farmhouse sink and mint green incorporated into the design in some way. “It’s a color I’ve always loved,” she says. “I even remember as a kid wanting a mint green fridge. When I started to think about renovating my kitchen, I never even considered other colors.” Pregont left virtually all other renovation choices up to Sylvain. The result, completed in just two months, is a fresh mix of retro and modern. Here’s how they created the ultimate baking haven:
A Multilevel Island
The pre-renovation kitchen had a very awkward layout. There was an unnecessary peninsula that blocked access to the kitchen. Sylvain’s solution was to replace it with a 10-foot-long island with two different heights: one half for dining and a lower work surface for the petite Pregont. “It’s just a little easier to be up above it when you’re hand-mixing or rolling out bread dough,” says Pregont. The final touch was a “rug” of geometric tile from Clé around the island, which replaced the dull gray ones that were there before.
Storage Solutions Galore
Finding a place for all of Pregont’s kitchen essentials was vital. Sylvain ingeniously constructed the island to encompass storage on both sides. The part facing the stove is mostly open shelving and contains a microwave, a wine fridge, and plenty of room for pots and pans. The other side, with decorative fluting that Sylvain picked for its whimsy, features hidden cabinetry for even more room to stash baking supplies.
Everything Minty Fresh
Choosing the right green color was a process of trial and error. “We didn’t want a bright candy mint,” says Sylvain. They eventually found the perfect shade in Benjamin Moore’s Italian Ice Green, a refreshing and light hue. Sylvain used it just on the cabinets, with the rest of the kitchen painted in white shades. And while she kept most of the cabinetry cases, she did replace the fronts with a clean, knob-less design that allows the color to take center stage.
Room for Dinner Parties
Pregont and her friends are all passionate home cooks, so it was important to her to have a space ideal for entertaining. To this end, Sylvain replaced a freestanding dining room table with a built-in bench with storage inside. She paired it with a Restoration Hardware wood table that can expand to seat even more people. “Even though I live by myself, my friends can come over and we can all cook together and sit around the table,” Pregont says. “We’re having Thanksgiving here!” We’re sure (homemade) baked goods will be on the menu.
See More Before-and-Afters: A Good Coat of White Paint Transformed This Silver Lake Home Inside and Out Sandpaper (and a Lot of Patience) Transformed This Dark Victorian Home This Green Kitchen Ended Up Smaller Than Where It Started