Although small by some standards, this 85-square-foot kitchen seems pretty spacious for a New York City apartment. It was a Formica-covered wreck when the owners bought the House, in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. The couple, who have a 1-year-old daughter, worked with Elizabeth Maletz to bring in a tidy, midcentury-inspired style. Light and dark custom cabinetry, Calacatta marble countertops and a modern backsplash design combine to make a fresh look.
Maletz Design
The prior kitchen hadn’t been remodeled since the 1980s. While the layout worked well, the Formica surfaces and worn linoleum floor sensed obsolete to the owners. Maletz maintained the simple setup but stripped the surfaces. New walnut lower cabinetry contrasts with holly on the upper cabinets and the custom fridge.
Cabinetry, shelving: South Slope Woodworks; countertops: Calacatta marble
Maletz Design
While it doesn’t work for everybody, the spacious shelving within this kitchen made sense for your household. The bits saved here create a gorgeous screen in a simple palette. A pantry in the far end “retains all the visual chaos from sight,” says Maletz.
Backsplash: Milk glass tile, Waterworks; range/oven: Wolf; faucet: Rohl Fireclay; faucet: Waterworks
Maletz Design
The owners discovered the painted timber sconce and pendant lighting themselves, and Maletz effortlessly incorporated them into the new layout. Both bits shed indirect light on the upper cabinetry. Task lighting under the upper cabinets illuminates the countertop.
Calacatta marble countertops, white walls and the milk glass tile backsplash help counter the timber.
Pendant: Nelson Saucer Lamp; dining table: Tulip Table; chairs: Wegner Wishbone
Maletz Design
Maletz replaced the linoleum with walnut parquet floors, carefully matching it with the existing flooring throughout the rest of the home. The Saarinen table, George Nelson pendant and Wegner chairs stay accurate to the owners’ love of naturally finished wood and midcentury furniture.
Refrigerator: Sub-Zero 700 TCI; folded sconce and comforter: LZF