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" Location: Ridgefield, CT      The island has a hammered nickel sink.     When all eyes turn immediately toward the cooking area, there&amp;#039;s little doubt that a kitchen is the nourishing center of family life. A striking fieldstone hearth serves as the focal point for the kitchen of this Connecticut home, which was built by architect John Gore to reflect elements of the Federal style. The house itself is new, but the kitchen has the timeless look of a well-worn, well-loved space. Designer Matt Giardina of Front Row Kitchens Inc. in Norwalk, set the tone by showing the homeowners a fireplace that had been constructed in his showroom. He suggested that the fieldstone fireplace could be interpreted as a design element for the range wall, with an antique beam to camouflage the range hood and its controls. Rough-hewn beams were also set flush against the knotty-pine plank ceiling to reinforce the vintage look. The homeowners were specific in their desire for simple, Shaker-style doors and warm wood finishes for the Plain &amp;amp;amp; Fancy cabinets. Giardina added touches for the cabinetry, counters, and the island to suggest that the kitchen&amp;#039;s furnishings had evolved over the years. He placed narrow, open shelves-like bookcases-on either side of the range to display serving pieces, being careful to separate them a bit from other wall cabinets to maintain a feel of unfitted pieces. The island has turned furniture-style legs and a crackle-paint finish that contrasts with, yet complements, the cabinets and pine floor. It&amp;#039;s topped with butcher block; the other countertops are jet-mist granite, honed for the smooth-to-the-touch feel of old soapstone.       An under-counter refrigerator, plus easy-to-reach baskets, let the kids get their own snacks.     The combined kitchen and dining area serves as a family gathering place. &amp;quot;They have two young children. I thought it should be a space where they could all work together,&amp;quot; says Giardina, who incorporated a number of child-friendly elements into the island: A stepstool pulls out from the toe-kick area, so little ones can help out at counter level; one end of the island has a serving surface and barstools for casual meals; an under-counter refrigerator keeps the kids&amp;#039; drinks and snacks within reach, as do slide-out, under-counter baskets. To ease traffic and work flow, a secondary oven was installed near the pantry door at one end of the sink wall. A microwave lets the children warm up their own meals. The butler&amp;#039;s pantry, which includes an in-cabinet warming drawer and wine cooler, leads into the formal dining room.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/a1061/american-blend-17580/>