A pastry chef’s dream kitchen lets her tackle any treat amid the comforts of home.
Written by Donna Rolando
Design by Peter Salerno
Photography by Peter Salerno
When a Wayne homeowner set out to renovate her dark and dated kitchen, the heart of the family’s traditional colonial, the recipe for success was finding a designer who shared her passion—for cooking.
That’s because, as a chef (culinary arts and yummy pastry), Cathy needed a kitchen that not only looked great, but also got the job done with state-of-the-art appliances (like the Miele steam oven) and masterful organization, all while not having to expand upon the room’s roughly 600 square feet.
Enter Wyckoff-based designer Peter Salerno, who adds to his certification in kitchen and bath design real chef experience at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.
The result of uniting these dual passions—cooking and design—is a kitchen that’s a feast for the eyes and all the senses. Who can resist the smell of Cathy’s favorite bread, focaccia, or the rich taste of homemade ice cream? “I wanted a kitchen designed for function, and Peter was able to do that in an amazing way,” says Cathy. Even her husband, who doesn’t cook, appreciates how transforming their 20-year-old original kitchen (moving only the door to improve the flow) was a win-win all around.
What satisfies the eye is the changeup from cherry wood cabinets with dark green counters to what Cathy calls “white and bright.” Think handmade subway tiles simmering white in a wave effect on the backsplash, greige floor tiles in a larger format and white cabinets contrasted with warm walnut. Another point of interest is the art deco tin ceiling with silver leaf finish—the perfect setting for brushed stainless-steel pendant lights over the island. They mimic the industrial look of another highlight, the custom-made hood range, which commands attention like the star of the design. Even the butler’s pantry with its pearl mosaics and Sputnik light fixture combines design and function. A Miele coffee machine is always ready to go, as is the family’s own ice maker. That Salerno used the kitchen’s existing footprint to take counter and working space to the max is this design recipe’s real success story.