KEVIN KELLY
WHERE Central Business District GOAL Kevin Kelly says he wanted a kitchen that would have a feeling of warmth, such as in a plantation kitchen like the one at his Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow. When Kelly bought an 1832 home in the Central Business District of New Orleans, it was in disrepair, though it still showed signs of its former glory. “My goal was to create a kitchen that would be in keeping with the period of the house, while incorporating all things modern and practical,” he says. He especially likes the open grill, which is encased in brick and has a 55-foot chimney that vents through three floors. “I added an antique French rotisserie over the grill that works with a counterweight balance that operates from across the room, just as it would have centuries ago.” An authentic butcher’s block, dating to 1740, serves as a work island. Kelly selected green marble for the counter top and multicolored marble for the floor. The kitchen works well for a single cook, but it also accommodates catering companies or chefs when Kelly hosts fundraisers.
LOUISE AND DR. MARK MARGOLIS
LOCATION University area GOAL “It is amazing how the kitchen transformed our home,” says Louise “Weezie” Margolis. “We wanted a family-oriented kitchen, breakfast room and den that would be visually connected and contiguous.” The Margolises also wanted the new breakfast room to have plenty of windows for the view and for easy access to the back patio, pool and entertaining area. The biggest challenge was to convert existing rooms – a small kitchen, breakfast room, hallway, closet and mechanical room – into one open space. “We called in architect and interior designer Lisa Roth, who immediately understood our needs and explained what changes needed to take place structurally to make it all possible.” The new, open floor plan especially pleased Dr. Mark Margolis. “I like the function and flow of the space,” he says. Weezie and Mark both like having a sink in the island as well as double sinks under the window.
RENEE AND PAUL MASINTER
LOCATION Uptown GOAL “We moved out of our home to do the major renovation,” says Renee Masinter. The project included a 1,000-square-foot addition that created a new kitchen and family room out of a small galley kitchen, breakfast nook and laundry room. To execute the new plans, Renee and her husband, Paul, brought in Leslie Lomont-Relayson of Cabinets by Design. “We
didn’t want to make any mistakes, and we knew that we needed professional help. I did know that I wanted an attractive kitchen that would blend well with the adjoining family room. Because we both cook, one of our requests was for ample work space for two cooks.” The Masinters ended up with an island that features a stove – and two sinks, one under the window and another under some cabinets. “One of our luxury splurges was marble counter tops,” Renee says. Paul likes the new kitchen as much as Renee. “Most of all, I enjoy that everything is user-friendly,” he says. The couple’s 9-year-old daughter, Eleanor, agrees, adding that her favorite spot to do her homework is at the island. •
