A cottage in the woods near Ludington is where a big family gathers, and its kitchen has to work for a crowd while still feeling like part of the place. This one needed space for several people to cook at once, storage for everything a full house brings, and a look that belongs among the pines. Scholten Kitchen and Bath designed the kitchen, with custom cabinetry built by Pennville Custom Cabinetry.
The room is planned around two islands. One holds the prep sink and a raised ledge that hides the working counter from the dining side; the other has seating for a row of stools, so guests can sit with the cook without getting in the way. A tall wine rack stands beside the stainless refrigerator, and the long perimeter runs under tall wood-framed windows.
The cabinetry is a warm stained wood, chosen to sit with the pine ceiling and window frames rather than fight them. The countertops are a polished stone with warm gold and rust tones that pick up the wood.
The centre of the room is the range wall. A professional range with a pot filler sits under a wood hood, and behind it is a hand-painted tile backsplash of pine trees, the forest outside brought indoors.
The result is a kitchen that holds a houseful of people and still feels like a cottage.