If there ever was a kitchen island to be envious of this would be it. Incorporating old European design, an 8in deep Maple butcher-block sits on one-third of the island while the other two-thirds is untreated copper. The functional elements of a trash drawer, microwave storage, and a custom knife drawer are met with decorative shelves, and detailed trim work. As a surprise to the customers Spencer incorporated hidden push-to-open cabinets behind each stool. This leaves no square inch unused, and is a great place to hide the more expensive bottles of whiskey, you don't want others to know about.
The Jones' have come to Old North Designs for a kitchen island once before. They lived in a loft downtown and Old North made them the perfect island for that space, but when they bought this 1920's home that needed a complete gutting and renovation they came to Old North for a new built-in island. The only thing in the existing kitchen was the sink which is original to the house. So when they were planning the new kitchen, they had in their head the way the layout had to be done and when they came to Spencer they believed all they needed was the island, but Spencer had different ideas.
Instead of just drawing up an island, Spencer drew up an entirely new kitchen layout. Because of the old chimney in the corner, the Jones' wanted the hood to vent out threw the old chimney. They thought that meant the entire stove and oven needed to be on the wall next to the sink. That would have created a line of appliances, almost no counter space and a completely unused wall under the right wall window. Spencer split up the gas stove top and the oven and angled the stove top in the corner. Now the counter flows nicely along the right wall and gives the kitchen the "U" shape that is so nice for flow.
Now that Spencer had given them a better flow, more storage and more counters, it was time to talk countertops. Old North made Maple butcher block counters for the kitchen with exception of the island. The white concrete for the island top brings contrast as well as a surface that can withstand rougher treatment. Then to incorporate a bar Spencer took a live edge cut of birch and raised up one side. This beautiful slab of wood is displayed as a unique addition to an already beautiful kitchen. The end of the island Spencer curved to eliminate sharp corners and added rounded display shelves for Abby Jones to arrange her collection of beautiful kitchen items.
Spencer loves to incorporate little extras into his work and surprised the Jones' with a knife block in one of the small drawers. There is not much else this size drawer could have been used for but Spencer does not allow for waisted space in his designs.
This kitchen is a wonderful example of utilizing every aspect of Old North Designs. The design is practical, beautiful, and the best use of space, and the build is quality with attention to the smallest of details, and the install was precise.
Those who love Bourbon need to love the bar they serve it at. This two-tiered bar top was made from a single slab of walnut almost 4ft wide and 15ft long. Comfortably sit or stand at one side and admire how the natural slab seamlessly folds down then turns out again at counter height to prepare drinks. The base is wrapped in a scorched cedar siding and solid cedar beams support the top. A custom footrest and hardware is given a gun barrel finish to complete the old world feel, and with a built-in mini freezer to store bourbon ice balls, your whiskey longs to call this home.
Wood. Leather. Steel. These are the basic masculine elements, all of which have been combined into an elegant, handcrafted barstool. The legs are cut from a thick beam of walnut, then joined into a solid steam-bent walnut hoop. A steel ring is rolled and welded by hand and given a gun barrel finish then used to secure the legs. A comfy seat is pressed into premium leather and the whole thing is inspected by hand and finished with natural oil creating a heavy, durable feeling of raw masculinity.