New trends come and go all the time. But if you’re a classicist, investing in a traditional kitchen with optimal function is a no-brainer. This elegant aesthetic may look simple to achieve, but the design team at Hardwood Interiors & Design carefully considered each element.
This 5,300-square-foot French Normandy-style manor located in the peaceful, gated community of Miramichi in Morgantown, WV. It features a custom-built gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops, a walnut top island, inset cabinetry, and a spacious butler’s pantry. The latter moved into the hallway during the design phase to make a more functional kitchen wall. “We wanted something fresh, timeless, aesthetically beautiful, in keeping with the style of the home, and a very functional chef’s kitchen,” says Hardwood Interiors & Design showroom manager, Michele Messenger.
Hardwood Interiors & Design Envisions A Kitchen with a View

The team chose white cabinets, which is a style that’s here to stay. “They are timeless for sure and can look great for years,” Messenger says. “How the cabinetry is accessorized with knobs [or] pulls can influence the overall look as well as the countertop chosen, tile backsplash, and decorative lighting.”
She advises clients to not necessarily follow a trend, but to make their kitchen timeless so they can enjoy it forever. “A good example of something dating a house would be avocado green or harvest gold appliances. They were beautiful and ’in’ in the ‘70s, but in the ‘90s. But it definitely dated the space and hurt the resale.”

Hardwood built the French estate-inspired home on speculation and provided all of the wood products for custom cabinetry and millwork. This included the walnut island countertop, white oak wide plank floors, custom mahogany front door, wood beams, trim, and custom inset cabinetry. All were fabricated by its sister company, WoodArtisan Custom Cabinetry.

The cabinets extend all the way to the 10-foot ceilings and feature mullion doors, which elevate the look, as do the full quartz backsplash and Thermador appliances. While some kitchen designers might shy away from white kitchens, the Hardwood Design team makes a very compelling case for how classic and enduring they can be.

Story by Andrea Stehle
Appliances sourced by Don’s Appliances
Design by Hardwood Interiors & Design
Appliances by Don’s Appliances
Photography by Dave Bryce
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