Jewel of the Home

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A traditional kitchen undergoes a remarkable transition at the direction of Natasha Baradaran

Chandeliers from Zia Priven hang over each island, which are surrounded by stools from Dmitriy & Co. Photos by Stephen Busken.

“Throughout all of my projects I try to fuse my own design sensibility with that of the client,” says designer Natasha Baradaran on her work inside a 7,500-square-foot traditional home in need of a kitchen refresh. Baradaran met the clients when their kids were in elementary school and forged a lovely friendship that led to sharing unforgettable experiences. “They enjoy cooking and entertaining a lot,” says the designer. “They are our most foodie friends, and we had the privilege of traveling and eating together while vacationing in Japan.”

Aside from desiring a more flexible footprint, the couple wanted a modern feel and state-of-the-art appliances while continuing the refined essence found throughout the rest of the home. “They wanted something more contemporary, but I felt it needed to transition with the rest of the spaces,” Baradaran notes. “I am not a fan of ultra modern kitchens in traditional homes.”

The clients connected Baradaran’s team with Hub of the House, a kitchen specialty company that assisted with the overall scheme and fabrication, based on the design direction. Baradaran began by dividing the long rectangular floorplan with two smaller islands, which created more opportunity for storage. They installed a grand, custom hood that serves as a jewel-like focal point of the room. The Shaker-style cabinetry, handcrafted and painted a dark hue of midnight blue by Hub of the House, are softened by the unique floors hand-painted by artists Lisa Donohoe and Brynn Gelbard of Londubh Studio. “I met them when we participated together in a show of L.A.-based artists during Salone del Mobile in 2017, which was a highlight for me,” says Baradaran. “Our client enjoyed trying something out of the box, and Lisa and Brynn were the right duo to make our vision come to life.”

Hand-painted floors by Londubh Studio make a grand statement. Photos by Stephen Busken.

While months have passed since the kitchen was completed, the family still sends Baradaran photos that demonstrate the happiness the space brings. Baradaran noted, “During the Covid quarantine, I saw they made the most of their kitchen, and nothing could warm my heart more.”