Designing a Modern-Meets-Traditional Kitchen
He wanted up-to-date. She wanted classic. HGTV Magazine shows how a Virginia couple married their distinct kitchen styles.


Photo By: Trevor Dixon (styled by Karin Olsen)
Photo By: Trevor Dixon (styled by Karin Olsen)
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Trevor Dixon (styled by Karin Olsen)
Photo By: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Trevor Dixon (styled by Karin Olsen)
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
Photo By: Courtesy of the manufacturer
1 Kitchen, 2 Styles
Designing the Island
Island: Almost 11 feet long, the his-and-her island combines an upcycled white oak top salvaged from a local barn and a high-tech induction cooktop that boils water in 90 seconds. For Matt, the family chef, it’s the ideal setup: He can chat face-to-face with diners while he whips up a meal.
Pendants: The mercury glass trio from Troy Lighting reminds Jennie of light fixtures she spotted in Colonial Williamsburg. “I like that they have the gleam of stainless steel but look antique.”
Counter Stools: Jennie prefers the mismatched look, but going with two different styles was a budget decision, too. After splurging on custom Lawson-Fenning seats with mustard yellow upholstery, the Rosecans trimmed costs by pairing them with backless wood-and-metal stools by Arteriors.
Get the Look: Pendant
Get the Look: Stool
Get the Look: Vase
Around the Room
Backsplash: Hand-poured cement tiles from Architectural Ceramics satisfied Jennie’s desire for craftsmanship and color. Matt, hesitant at first about having huge yellow and blue diamonds spanning the entire wall, now loves how the tiles make the kitchen feel energetic and lively.
Cabinets: The kitchen is open to the family room, so the couple wanted the cabinets to seem less cabinet-y. Stained a custom deep blue-gray color, they resemble large pieces of furniture.
Get the Look: Tiles
Get the Look: Cutting Board
Get the Look: Serving Bowl
Dining Room
Pendant + Art: The style of the iron-and-fabric pendant from Troy Lighting says farmhouse, but its large scale (31½ inches tall) makes it modern. The abstract watercolor print from minted.com, measuring 30 inches by 30 inches, holds its own against the pendant’s proportions.
Dining Nook: A timeless banquette got hip with striped Maharam fabric, which hints at all the kitchen’s colors. Since this is the Rosecans’ only dining spot, they supersized the seating: Eight adults can fit easily on the L-shaped built-in. Industry West chairs provide a pop of yellow next to the Made Goods limed oak table. Here, Matt and Jennie are pictured with twins Ava and Will, 11.