Chappaqua Linen & Bourbon Kitchen Case Study

The Starting Point

The clients were a family of five in a 1987 Colonial in Chappaqua, about ten minutes from our showroom. The original kitchen was functional but sterile — all-white painted cabinetry, generic granite countertops, and a layout that forced the cook to face a wall while preparing meals. The family wanted something warmer, more personal, and better suited to the way they actually used the space: homework happening at the counter while dinner was being made, weekend breakfasts that lingered, and a constant flow of people in and out.

The Two-Tone Decision

The defining design choice was to use two distinct tones rather than one. The perimeter cabinetry is a warm linen-white — technically an off-white with beige undertones that reads as cream in natural light and warm white under artificial light. The island is finished in a deep bourbon brown, a custom color matched to a stained wood sample the client brought us. The contrast between the two creates a kitchen that feels layered and collected, rather than all made at once.

The Layout Changes

The original kitchen had a peninsula that blocked sightlines into the family room. We removed it and replaced it with a freestanding island — slightly larger, oriented differently, and now accessible from all four sides. This small change transformed how the family uses the kitchen: the island is the homework station, the charcuterie assembly zone, and the gathering point during parties. We also relocated the range from the perimeter wall to the island, installing a statement range hood above it as the room's focal point.

The Result

The project took 14 weeks from design approval to final walkthrough. The clients' most frequently repeated comment during the process was that they were nervous about the bourbon island — it was further outside their original vision than anything they'd considered. Six months after completion, they report it's the single decision they're most glad they made. The kitchen is now photographed by every real estate agent who visits for a listing presentation on a neighboring house.

→ Our Chappaqua showroom is located at 7 Memorial Dr, a short drive for most Westchester homeowners. Come see our working kitchen displays and discuss your own project with our design team.