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When designer Sary Em of (Re)work Architecture & Design took on overhauling this kitchen in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia, finding its charm was priority number one. “This is an old stone house from the late 1800s and it has a lot of character, but the kitchen felt really sterile,” she says. Previous owners had stripped the space of almost all the original details. They’d also lived with limited storage and counter space—two additional items for Em’s to-do list.
To add some charm, Em leaned into the room’s surroundings—both within the house and outdoors. The earthy color palette—Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin for the walls and ceiling, Balboa Mist for the trim, and Smokey Ash for the cabinets—reflects the home’s leafy neighborhood. Installing a soapstone-topped kitchen island was a big step in addressing the functionality issues. “We wanted the space to flow with the rest of the house, but still have modern conveniences,” she notes. Here’s how she made it happen.
Be Strategic About Storage
Em made the most of the space by including accessible storage on both sides of the island and running the wall cupboards up to the ceiling. To keep all that cabinetry from feeling too heavy, she reserved a small stretch near the window for open shelving. “It gives the homeowners a space to display things they really love, which I think is important,” she says. Additionally, a corner banquette covered in a poppy paisley fabric by GP & J Baker has drawers below it—the perfect place to stash serving platters and linens.
Light the Way
In addition to picking classic black-and-white penny tile for the flooring (sourced from Stone Center Online), Em channeled vintage vibes through the kitchen’s lighting. The two scalloped pendants above the island look antique, but they’re actually new from deVOL. In the corner with the banquette, Em installed a sconce with a built-in walnut tabletop from Lostine, creating a cozy nook for sipping a cup of coffee. Above the open shelving, she installed a traditional picture light by Visual Comfort. “This was also a moment to add another touch of brass, which you’ll see in the brackets below as well as in the switchplates and cabinet hardware,” she says. “We made a point to select all unlacquered brass because it looks better and better as the years go by.”
But Don’t Rule Out Natural Rays
If privacy allows, Em suggests skipping window treatments in favor of more expansive views. “Not only is the house very private, but also every season looks beautiful here” she says. “All the light that streams in is great, too.” Double doors with glass panelsleading to the mudroom have a similar brightening effect. “Our woodworker built those to mimic the look of the cabinetry,” she says.
Rely on Reeded Glass
The two sets of reeded glass doors are not only an aesthetic choice—they serve a practical purpose, too. “It makes organization a little easier on the homeowners,” Em explains. “If it were clear glass, they might feel pressure to only keep beautiful things behind there.”
Create a Coffee Closet
Coffee drinkers understand the dilemma of deciding between uncluttered countertops and keeping your machine accessible. Em found the perfect compromise: a coffee closet. “Because we knew there was potential for it to be open a lot, we lined it in walnut and used leftover pieces from the calacatta black marble backsplash as the countertop, so it coordinates with other elements in the room,” she says. Once everyone is sufficiently caffeinated, the station is stashed away behind closed doors.