Domestic Traditions

Friends, family and an affinity for baking provided the inspiration for this airy, marble-filled kitchen in Atlanta.

On a hill, barely visible through the trees, this Georgian style home in Atlanta's Buckhead community oozes traditional Southern charm. The homeowner's parents lived there while he attended college and eventually sold it. But when he returned to Atlanta he kept his eye on it, and when it became available he and his wife snapped it up and embarked on a renovation of the entire home.

Robin Pittman was asked to maintain the feel of the traditional architecture while updating the kitchen to be functional and comfortable for a young, active family to live, entertain family during holidays and make friends and business colleagues there for dinner parties feel welcome. A variety of seating options create social space and options for family seating. The couple's two daughters can do homework at the island while mom preps food, at a breakfast table next to the island, or in the adjacent sitting room. "The wife in particular loves to cook," says Pittman. "We put spice and utensil drawers on either side of her Wolf rangetop to keep everything in easy reach." She also loves to bake with her daughters, so Pittman installed stunning marble countertops for ease of rolling out dough, and conveniently positioned cookie sheets and other baking equipment above the Wolf double ovens.

Cohesion with the garage entry, breakfast area and sitting room was achieved by pulling white paneling through the entire space including the three Sub-Zero refrigerators. "They look like tall, built-in armoires," says Pittman, who arranged a microwave and dish pantry behind a retractable door to mirror the Sub-Zeros for a pleasing symmetry.

Pittman says that while the unique corbelled range hood and large pendant lights definitely add to the grandeur of the space, that symmetry was really the key. "For me, the first step in the design process is to find a clear and defined centerline," she explains. "In this kitchen the centerline is driven by the beautiful arched window that's also reflected by an arched pantry doorway. Once the centerline is defined, balance can be created. Centering the kitchen island on these strengthened the centerline even further. Together these balanced elements create a comfortable space, both visually and functionally."