Blast Off
Author:Abigail StoneKristine Paige Kamenstein of Jackson Paige Interiors uncovers the potential of a Brentwood home’s entertaining spaces. Photos by Karyn Millet.
The Brentwood home’s boxed-in layout felt confining for the busy family of four who loved to entertain. They turned to Jackson Paige Interiors whom they’d worked with almost a decade ago. “At that time, we selected new backsplash tile and light furnishings for the kitchen,” says the firm’s Kristine Paige Kamenstein, “We briefly discussed incorporating the small breakfast room and kitchen, but ultimately decided it would be a “Phase 2” project.”
Now, a half dozen years later, the clients were ready to move forward, transforming the gallery kitchen, awkward family room and small breakfast nook into what they hoped would be a welcoming entertaining space.
“Our philosophy permeates all our projects,” say Kamenstein, “we design to reflect a daring yet refined conversation between architecture, environment and a client’s lifestyle.” Rich colors, bold patterns and unexpected juxtapositions blow vibrant energy through otherwise serene rooms: a gold bohemian coffee table elevates a traditional sectional in the family room; Waterworks Grove Brickworks tile in Peacock Green are a lively backsplash; Serena and Lily’s exotic Capiz Honeycomb chandeliers dangle from the kitchen’s ceiling; and, Kelly Wearstler’s “Sea Urchin” fabric punctuates the cornices over the kitchen’s windows.“Our space planning similarly focuses on creating harmonious and practical spaces that elevate our client’s day-to-day living,” says Kamenstein.
Here that meant pulling down the walls that surrounded the narrow kitchen, optically imbuing the space with a feeling of openness without increasing its footprint. To blur the boundary between the kitchen and the adjacent family room, Kamenstein designed a breakfast bar whose waterfall style is a twin to the kitchen’s workhorse island. A beverage refrigerator, microwave drawer, plenty of storage and electrical outlets underlines its versatility; it easily morphs from casual dining to buffet table to homework station to food prep.
To further underline the feeling of openness, Kamenstein removed some of the kitchen’s upper cabinets, replacing themm with wraparound shelves that display oft-used items. Jayson Home’s Cobb counter stools, which tuck away when not in use, further decrease the area’s visual clutter.
“Four months after the project was complete, I stopped by the house,” Kamenstein says, “The kids were at the island table, doing their homework, cooking was underway in the kitchen and the client told me all about a fabulous party they’d hosted the previous weekend. All boxes checked! Incredibly rewarding!”