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FeedEver Green
A conservative, affordable, and “green” approach: reclaim, reuse, and renew.
By Alecia Stevens
Photo by Alex Steinberg
The kitchen is a good example of this philosophy. The original layout worked well for Jim, who is described by his wife as an “incredible, intuitive cook.” It was important to maintain the functionality of the space, while opening it to the seating area. Likewise, Karen loved the room’s connection to the landscape. “We feel like we live in a very fancy tent here,” she says. To bring even more of the outdoors in, she wanted the newly remodeled space to “feel like a glade of evergreens. Lucy and Paul took it from there.”
1 Reuse and Renew
The original brick fireplace wall was dark and dated. Painting the brick white maintains texture while minimizing color. Dark steel covers now wrap the original mantel and add a strong, modern horizontal element—a striking contrast to the vertical sliver of the adjacent window.2 Artful White
It is hard to go wrong with white on white. The iconic, round Saarinen table seems made for this corner spot—guests can move in and around without gouging a thigh. For daily use, the armless Tulip chairs with green Knoll upholstered cushions soften the hard laminate. Against the white wall and green exterior landscape, it is more than form and function. It is art.
Photo by Alex Steinberg
3 Modest Materials
Although the Ashes contemplated using stone flooring, they opted for a softer material: rolled Marmoleum, an environmentally friendly, affordable, machine-age material made from linseed oil. For cabinet interiors, Karen chose white laminate for a clean look and easy care. Counters of white CeasarStone are modern, clean, and slightly more affordable than granite or marble. Photo by Alex Steinberg
4 Outdoor Connection
Neseth and Penfield interpreted Karen’s mandate to create a “glade of evergreens” literally: Base cabinets are walnut, stained the color of tree bark; uppers of a playful green laminate mimic the leafy elms. The backsplash is back-painted glass, keeping seams to a minimum and replicating the sky.Alecia Stevens is a Minneapolis interior designer and frequent contributor to Midwest Home.
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11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
