Country Kitchen Blooms in the City

Shortly after Louis and Roddie Turner moved their family of six into what they thought would be their country dream house, a nightmare ensued. With far too large a home to care for (seven gardens plus a pool) they found their attempt to simplify life merely complicated it. They compromised by moving back to the city and bringing a dose of country right along with them.

Their new house is an Arts-and-Crafts house near downtown St. Paul and their new "old" kitchen is a combination of modern functionalities and country design. She started the kitchen renovation by painting the lower cabinets a soothing gray/green color and the upper cabinets cream. The stone backsplash was replaced with tiny hexagonal tile in neutral colors. Muted blue/green linoleum checkerboard tiles replaced the worn wood floor and a light-colored stonelike material replaced the dark countertops. She removed the old stainless-steel sink and in its place installed a large white basin sink.

For privacy, she installed shelves across the window and filled the space with small antiques and collectibles. Antique linens hung below also add privacy while still allowing light to filter in. The furniture in the space consists of beloved antiques and new finds, including a Scandinavian pine armoire and a potting table recycled into a family desk. She added casters to her farmhouse table and had small shelves installed underneath the top for additional storage.