American Craftsmanship Stars in Kitchen Renovation
Interior designer Lisa Davenport often refers to her hometown of Durham, Connecticut, as Mayberry — the idyllic town made famous on The Andy Griffith Show. When Lisa started a major renovation on her own kitchen last year, she wanted to create a space where, as she says, “one would expect Aunt Bea to be pulling a pie out of the oven while telling Opie to be patient and let it cool.”
Lisa began the renovation by removing a wall between the kitchen and living room to make one larger space. The rooms were taken down to the studs to give Lisa a blank slate to work her magic.
“I wanted to create a timeless space that pays homage to the American craftsman,” Lisa notes. “The design is a galley kitchen with long workspaces but very few upper cabinets.” As she considered lighting for the new space, Lisa considered reclaiming vintage fixtures to get the retro style she desired.
“But then I discovered Barn Light Electric,” she says. “I found the ability to individualize the fixtures to meet my unique color palette and to spin a true vintage feeling with a modern flair.” One of the first fixtures to catch Lisa’s eye was the Conoco Draftsman Wooden Top Pendant which is part of Barn Light’s Timber & Ore Collection.
She customized this American-made pendant with a 10″ shade finished in Barn Red, a handspun walnut wooden top, and a black-and-gold cloth cord.
“When I found the Conoco and saw the walnut option, I knew it needed to be my gem over the sink,” Lisa explains. “The walnut subtly repeated the walnut accents found in our hood detail, upper pantry cabinets, the skirt around the sink, and the walnut island top.”
As they considered lights for the nearby island, Lisa’s husband wanted a true factory light, but Lisa wanted something a bit more feminine. She notes that the kitchen features several heavier elements such as the steam pipe island and the wood inlaid brick floor. She felt the Fluted Shade Pendant offered a bit of flair to complement the more masculine elements.
She customized these wavy-shade pendants with 12″ shades in Barn Red and a Textured Black cup. Lisa also chose black-and-white cloth cords to add a hint of texture.
“The 12″ shade is perfect,” she notes. “It’s just large enough to make its presence known while being petite enough to remain delicate.”
For the nearby dining table, Lisa went old school with a classic selection from the Barn Light Schoolhouse Collection. She customized the Primary Schoolhouse Chain Hung Pendant with large opaque glass, a Barn Red fitter and chain, and a red chevron cloth cord. She also added a triple painted band of Buttery Yellow on the globe.
“Who doesn’t love an old schoolhouse light?” Lisa asks. “This kitchen tells a story, and the schoolhouse fixture contributes to that story. The options weave the unexpected juxtaposition of opposing colorations together. The buttery yellow stripes are reminiscent of sunshine, and we should all start our day with a little sunshine!”
Just outside, an inviting deck offers a place to relax and enjoy the fresh air. Lisa added a Rochester Vintage Industrial Gooseneck Light to highlight the cozy space. She customized this handcrafted wall light with a 12″ shade, Charcoal Granite finish, and G4 straight gooseneck arm.
“The 12″ shades gives the fixture substance while the Charcoal Granite finish is understated and appears slightly weathered,” she notes. “The straight arm fits the space perfectly.” She also chose clear glass for maximum output of light. The Rochester, along with all of the lights Lisa chose for her kitchen remodel, are handcrafted with pride by the craftsmen in Barn Light’s Florida manufacturing facility.
“First and foremost, I love the story the lights tell,” Lisa says. “And secondly, I take great pride in knowing that our desire to share the newly renovated space will showcase the homegrown talent of fellow Americans. I am so glad I found Barn Light Electric after a desperate Internet search. And I look forward to future projects where we can showcase the products.”
Photos courtesy of LDD Interiors
