At Bakes & Kropp, we love collaborating with industry professionals—interior designers, architects, and home developers—to help realize clients’ dream kitchens. It’s even more special when it’s the designer's own personal space. Case in point: this home refresh with interior designer Christina Magrans in the Water Mill hamlet of Southampton. Magrans and our team gave the existing beige kitchen a streamlined, sophisticated facelift. Inspired by her background as a retail designer for heritage brands like Tiffany & Co., a longtime personal favorite of hers, Magrans worked closely with Bakes & Kropp's Senior Designer Guillaume Dupré to create a bespoke kitchen influenced by the eponymous brand.

Warm walnut, mixed metals, and subtle stone deliver the luxe in this interior designer’s kitchen.

The revamped kitchen, with its walnut finishes and bronzy accents, radiates warmth from every corner. Magrans envisioned her new kitchen as a natural extension of the adjacent living space, a place where hosting and gathering would become an effortless art. Whereas the original island did not accommodate seating, Bakes & Kropp’s signature L-shaped wood top afforded extra room for family and friends to gather. Now, the island comfortably fits five stools, establishing itself as the living space’s epicenter. Magrans opted for custom Bakes & Kropp bespoke inset Madison door cabinetry in a satin walnut finish that mirrors the elegance of fine furnishings. Mixed metal accents and hardware add a refined embellishment Magrans affectionately calls "the jewelry of the home."

While aesthetics played a significant role in the redesign, Bakes & Kropp paid equal attention to the kitchen's functionality. The layout was meticulously planned to ensure a seamless flow around fixed architectural elements. Range hookups remained in their original positions for the sake of simplicity, while the island sink and integrated garbage were strategically placed for ease during food preparation. A set of dishwashers found their home near dish storage drawers, optimizing the unloading process.

No uppers, no problem—Magrans and our team made sure to include plenty of base cabinets and a pantry.

At Magrans’ request, the removal of upper cabinetry helps open up the kitchen to the greater entertaining space while limiting visual clutter overhead. To compensate for the loss of overhead storage, space from an adjacent room was adapted into a pantry, while custom storage provisions courtesy of the Bakes & Kropp design team maximized existing cabinetry space. A full-length cabinet near the fridge acts as a catch-all for essentials, while dedicated storage for spices and a separate beverage fridge provide easy access for guests and family. An attached coffee bar, complete with a Jura, tea kettle, and assorted coffees and teas behind retractable doors, further enhances the space’s entertaining capabilities while keeping visual clutter at bay.

Lighting played a pivotal role in creating a space that simultaneously serves for cooking and entertaining. A thoughtful blend of task and ambient lighting was achieved with integrated LEDs providing focused light over the range for food preparation, built-in lighting within the glass cabinetry, and wall sconces contributing to a warm ambiance at eye level.

Treasured objects are lovingly displayed while kitchen essentials are stowed out of sight.

One of the most captivating features of the redesigned kitchen is the stone range wall with integrated shelving. This space serves as a showcase for mementos from Magrans' travels. Bowls and pottery from Bali, Montenegro, and Croatia paired with framed artwork and photographs tell cherished stories, infusing the kitchen with a welcoming and lived-in atmosphere. This back wall has become a key focal point anchoring the entire space.

In the end, Magrans' new kitchen is more than just a place to cook and eat. It's a testament to the thoughtful design that has transformed it into the inviting heart of the home, where elegance and functionality converge in perfect harmony.

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Project Feature: Southampton Bronze