guests to pass through to the living area
and patio.
Hurley favors a traditional look and natural colors. One of her favorite possessions is an elegant Thos. Moser rocking chair in an updated shaker style that she received as a graduation present. It's no surprise, then, that she chose simple shaker-style cabinets with recessed panels and black-iron hardware.
The matte finish of the green-gray stone Hurley chose for her countertop is right in line with current trends, says Bolender. "More and more people are wanting a honed surface rather than the high-shine granite look." Still, this was the first time Bolender had used this stone, so she and Hurley tested a sample piece by leaving grape juice, tomato sauce, red wine and vinegar on it overnight to see the effect of these liquids on the countertop.
Satisfied, they ordered a 30-inch-deep counter rather than the standard 24 inches. The extra 6 inches let Hurley
store her appliances on the counter, rather than hidden away in a cabinet. It also gave her room to fit a butcher-block cart under the countertop for an extra cutting surface when she has friends over to cook.
Hurley chose bamboo floors partly because she liked the look, but also because bamboo is a renewable resource. Available in both vertical and horizontal grain, bamboo also comes in different shades- the straw like natural hue or a richer honey color achieved by steaming the wood. Hurley liked the the subtle figuration of the vertical grain bamboo.
For Hurley, spacious under-the-counter recycling bins were a must. And rather than throw out the old laminate cabinets from the existing kitchen, this environmentally conscious homeowner put them in the basement for storage.
