How to Get a Moody Rustic Kitchen | The Summit Estate

“This kitchen color is one of my favorites that we’ve ever done, and seeing green in this deep moody hue is absolutely breathtaking,” Shea notes of the kitchen cabinet color inside our latest project, The Summit Estate. The team started with Deep River by Benjamin Moore for the cabinetry, color-matching the statement-making Lacanche range and creating a high-impact look that is both cohesive and dramatic.

“There were some challenges when it came to figuring out the layout of the kitchen, because the range isn’t actually centered,” Shea explains. To create a balanced look, a door was integrated into the cabinetry on one side to mirror the visual weight on the other. Shea adds that to avoid a top-heavy look, especially with very tall ceilings, the cabinetry was not extended all the way up. This decision allowed more of the beautiful stone walls to also be visible and introduced an English-inspired design trend.

Natural materials play a crucial role in this rustic kitchen. Shea and the design team incorporated a plaster range hood with a dark-stained decorative band that matched the ceiling beams and trim throughout the home. “You’ll see this band detail continues into these thick open shelves with a brass railing that ties in with the basement bar,” Shea notes. The clients loved the idea of incorporating stone on all the walls, a feature carried over from the fireplace and exterior. This not only adds texture and interest but also brings an authentic rustic feel to the kitchen. 

Highlighting a few of the special details in the kitchen, Shea says,”This unlacquered brass faucet with a traditional shape contrasts beautifully with the modern architecture of the home.” It creates the juxtaposition that the Studio McGee aesthetic is known for. Soapstone countertops with carved drainboards were also chosen for their practicality and visual appeal. Shea suggests incorporating sconces to fill asymmetrical gaps and add ambient lighting when artwork isn’t the answer. “We customized a sconce with a fabric shade that matched the cabinets, enhancing the monochromatic look,” Shea notes.

Adjacent to the kitchen, a dining area was designed with a long table. Studio McGee clients can customize all McGee & Co. pieces, so a custom length of the Orville Extension Dining Table was made to suit the length perfectly. “We did a mix of chairs and two long benches to break up the height and avoid the look of too many chairs,” Shea shares. For lighting, fixtures were chosen above the island and the dining table to coordinate, but not compete with each other. Three large pendants were selected for the island and a linear fixture for the dining table. This ensured the space felt balanced and uncluttered without impeding the view. Lastly, a dark cabinet was used and styled with beautiful kitchen and dining accessories, along with some vintage artwork.

Browse the entire kitchen space below, including Shea’s tour in the project’s webisode, and get a few tips for recreating the look of The Summit Estate kitchen in your own home.