The Disappearing Kitchen

The Transformation

Originally an exterior sunporch, the 10-by-21-foot room had been converted into a basic L-shaped kitchen by the previous owner. The unusual 12-foot-high curved ceiling, Palladian doors, and windows are all original to the house. A wall of elegant cabinetry, painted a rich red, conceals as much of the kitchen appurtenances as possible while contributing to the library feel. A generous table can be pulled away from the wall, if desired, and the leather wing chairs and stools pulled in for dining.

Architectural Elements

Cabinetry designed by Pursley and custom-built by Goodman Millwork Company in Salisbury, North Carolina, is crafted with raised-panel doors, deep crown moldings, and details such as turned and tapered legs. "The whole thing was a game of inches," says Pursley. "The refrigerator door misses the cabinet leg by half an inch, so you must have excellent craftsmanship -- intricate details such as these can only be done by hand. That's the deceiving thing about small spaces -- everything has to be perfect."

Instead of the typical recessed toe kick -- the panel at the base of the cabinet -- which would contradict the furnished feel, the architect designed a projected toe kick with base molding to stay within the classical language. The cabinets and walls are painted in Farrow & Ball's aptly named Reading Room Red, then aged with a black glaze. Besides the refrigerator and pantry cabinets, there are no upper cabinets, leaving room for eye-catching art -- in this case, a landscape painting by Chas Fagan. Sisal covering on the floors works for this part-time kitchen, making the room feel less utilitarian and more like a living space.

Special Features

Pursley chose appliances that could be truly concealed, with no visible hinges or vents. The Sub-Zero 700 Series refrigerator, here with two freezer drawers, fits the bill. It was partially recessed into the wall, which helps make its mass less intimidating. A pantry cabinet and microwave at the other end of the wall provides a vertical bookend to the refrigerator. The Gaggenau oven is concealed behind cabinet doors that recess to the sides, with a Viking cooktop set into the counter above. The Bosch dishwasher, a trash pull-out, and a flat-panel television are all camouflaged behind cabinet fronts. (Pursley designed the dishwasher front to look like two drawers, for visual variety.)

Counters of Sarrancolin marble are luxurious yet blend in well with the red cabinetry. A custom edge detail on the marble, crafted by The Marble & Stone Shop, provides a softer transition in a compact space.