Kitchen of the Week: Lake Minnetonka Views Lead the Way
An architect and her husband keep things clean and simple in their forever home in Minnesota
Becky Harris
September 7, 2018
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Photos by Spacecrafting
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Laurie and Doug Kruhoeffer
Location: On Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota
Size: 340 square feet (32 square meters), not including the walk-in pantry
Designers: Laurie Kruhoeffer in collaboration with Colby Mattson and Marcy Townsend of Charlie & Co. Design (architect), Kroiss Development (builder) and Jennifer Horstman of Lenox House Design (project manager)
Expansive views of Lake Minnetonka, a less-is-more interior design philosophy, a love of morning coffee and even grocery shopping influenced the design of this Minnesota kitchen. The kitchen’s style also reflects the equestrian ranch-inspired architecture of the home. Its palette is one that homeowner and architect Laurie Kruhoeffer admired in a Christopher Peacock-designed kitchen featured in the 2015 Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens in Chicago.
“This kitchen design was a departure for all of us,” builder Todd Simning says. They had to plan for the open-shelf support structure, highly customized details and metalwork craftsmanship. To get a feel for the level of attention to detail here, look at the stored serving trays in the lower left corner of this photo. They were custom made to perfectly fit that open cabinet, using the ash wood found throughout the kitchen.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Laurie and Doug Kruhoeffer
Location: On Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota
Size: 340 square feet (32 square meters), not including the walk-in pantry
Designers: Laurie Kruhoeffer in collaboration with Colby Mattson and Marcy Townsend of Charlie & Co. Design (architect), Kroiss Development (builder) and Jennifer Horstman of Lenox House Design (project manager)
Expansive views of Lake Minnetonka, a less-is-more interior design philosophy, a love of morning coffee and even grocery shopping influenced the design of this Minnesota kitchen. The kitchen’s style also reflects the equestrian ranch-inspired architecture of the home. Its palette is one that homeowner and architect Laurie Kruhoeffer admired in a Christopher Peacock-designed kitchen featured in the 2015 Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens in Chicago.
“This kitchen design was a departure for all of us,” builder Todd Simning says. They had to plan for the open-shelf support structure, highly customized details and metalwork craftsmanship. To get a feel for the level of attention to detail here, look at the stored serving trays in the lower left corner of this photo. They were custom made to perfectly fit that open cabinet, using the ash wood found throughout the kitchen.
Exterior Architecture Influences the Interior
To understand some of the style elements in the kitchen, take a look at the home’s exterior. This is the lake-facing side of the house, with a western exposure. The kitchen sits behind the wide bank of windows on the left side of the main level. Note the curved braces that flank the porch columns. As you’ll see later, this detail, which also appears around the front entry, plays a role in the kitchen.
To understand some of the style elements in the kitchen, take a look at the home’s exterior. This is the lake-facing side of the house, with a western exposure. The kitchen sits behind the wide bank of windows on the left side of the main level. Note the curved braces that flank the porch columns. As you’ll see later, this detail, which also appears around the front entry, plays a role in the kitchen.
Clean and Simple Shelves Preserve the Lake Views
One of the most striking aspects of the design is the ash wood shelving. The shelves are supported by brass hangers that attach to the soffit above. “This was part of our less-is-more philosophy,” Kruhoeffer says.
“We wanted to maximize our views of the lake, so we didn’t want upper cabinets. And I like the current movement toward clean and simple dishes and glassware — we can see right through our glassware.” Technology has taken care of the usual open-shelf worries. “Our dishwasher and HVAC system are so good that we don’t have problems with spots on the glassware or dust on the shelves,” Kruhoeffer says.
Because brass can be a brittle metal that’s hard to work with, Kruhoeffer felt fortunate to find Clay Beardshear of Live Oak Ironworks. “He is a true artisan. Engaging him early on in the project was critical,” she says. The significant weight of the shelves meant they needed structural support, so they were installed during the framing stage of construction. They elegantly wrap the corner, and the brass pipes that flank the window over the sink are placed symmetrically in relation to the ceiling beams.
During the install, Beardshear used lasers to make sure everything was perfectly aligned. He also worked with the electrician to carve channels for custom brass tubes in the bottom of the shelves to hold wiring for LED lights. There’s also a space between the shelves and the windows, as well as pockets in the soffits for electronic shades, if desired in the future.
One of the most striking aspects of the design is the ash wood shelving. The shelves are supported by brass hangers that attach to the soffit above. “This was part of our less-is-more philosophy,” Kruhoeffer says.
“We wanted to maximize our views of the lake, so we didn’t want upper cabinets. And I like the current movement toward clean and simple dishes and glassware — we can see right through our glassware.” Technology has taken care of the usual open-shelf worries. “Our dishwasher and HVAC system are so good that we don’t have problems with spots on the glassware or dust on the shelves,” Kruhoeffer says.
Because brass can be a brittle metal that’s hard to work with, Kruhoeffer felt fortunate to find Clay Beardshear of Live Oak Ironworks. “He is a true artisan. Engaging him early on in the project was critical,” she says. The significant weight of the shelves meant they needed structural support, so they were installed during the framing stage of construction. They elegantly wrap the corner, and the brass pipes that flank the window over the sink are placed symmetrically in relation to the ceiling beams.
During the install, Beardshear used lasers to make sure everything was perfectly aligned. He also worked with the electrician to carve channels for custom brass tubes in the bottom of the shelves to hold wiring for LED lights. There’s also a space between the shelves and the windows, as well as pockets in the soffits for electronic shades, if desired in the future.
A Consistent Material Mix
The base cabinets are ash with a clear natural finish and taupe-gray paint, topped with Taj Mahal quartzite countertops. The same brushed brass used on the floating shelf structure appears on the cabinet hardware and wrapped around some of the cabinet feet — more of Beardshear’s handiwork.
The center island and the buffet use the same materials in different ways. The taupe millwork on the buffet repeats the curved silhouette of the braces on the the home’s exterior. “It was a good way to pull the exterior architecture into the house without being overt,” Kruhoeffer says. The buffet also stands out due to its round ring pulls and the way its countertop extends into a partial waterfall.
Because of how the kitchen’s central island is seen from other rooms, Kruhoeffer added an ash wood bar to the side that faces the dining area. This creates a deliberate asymmetrical element in a room where so many things are perfectly placed and centered.
The island forms a work triangle between the sink, range and refrigerator. Its placement works for the way the couple function in the kitchen together. “Doug doesn’t cook much but he likes the fact that Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates do the dishes, so it makes him feel connected to them,” Kruhoeffer says with a laugh.
The 45-inch sink also serves as a prep area where he can work, freeing up the space around the range and fridge for Kruhoeffer to cook. The two other sides of the island have stools and serve as the social areas. The island also contains a beverage refrigerator and a microwave drawer.
Kruhoeffer had purchased pendants and had the ceiling over the island wired for them, but before they were installed she fell in love with the clean look of the room without them.
Gray cabinet color: Waynesboro Taupe enamel, Benjamin Moore; 45-inch sink: Kallista; dishwasher: Miele; Taj Mahal quartzite: Amsum & Ash; brushed brass hardware: Emtek
Find brass cabinet hardware
The base cabinets are ash with a clear natural finish and taupe-gray paint, topped with Taj Mahal quartzite countertops. The same brushed brass used on the floating shelf structure appears on the cabinet hardware and wrapped around some of the cabinet feet — more of Beardshear’s handiwork.
The center island and the buffet use the same materials in different ways. The taupe millwork on the buffet repeats the curved silhouette of the braces on the the home’s exterior. “It was a good way to pull the exterior architecture into the house without being overt,” Kruhoeffer says. The buffet also stands out due to its round ring pulls and the way its countertop extends into a partial waterfall.
Because of how the kitchen’s central island is seen from other rooms, Kruhoeffer added an ash wood bar to the side that faces the dining area. This creates a deliberate asymmetrical element in a room where so many things are perfectly placed and centered.
The island forms a work triangle between the sink, range and refrigerator. Its placement works for the way the couple function in the kitchen together. “Doug doesn’t cook much but he likes the fact that Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates do the dishes, so it makes him feel connected to them,” Kruhoeffer says with a laugh.
The 45-inch sink also serves as a prep area where he can work, freeing up the space around the range and fridge for Kruhoeffer to cook. The two other sides of the island have stools and serve as the social areas. The island also contains a beverage refrigerator and a microwave drawer.
Kruhoeffer had purchased pendants and had the ceiling over the island wired for them, but before they were installed she fell in love with the clean look of the room without them.
Gray cabinet color: Waynesboro Taupe enamel, Benjamin Moore; 45-inch sink: Kallista; dishwasher: Miele; Taj Mahal quartzite: Amsum & Ash; brushed brass hardware: Emtek
Find brass cabinet hardware
The Range Wall Catches the Sunrise
Two things drove the design of the range wall. One, the custom-framed, hand-plastered vent hood was meant to fade into the background, allowing the chevron backsplash pattern to be the star. Two, the designers wanted to let in the morning light on either side of the range. “We didn’t want there to be any dark corners in the kitchen,” Kruhoeffer says. So she put a window behind the cabinet to the right of the range. (When you open the cabinet doors you can see the window.) This cabinet sits atop the counter, contributing to the customized freestanding-furniture feel in the kitchen. The pulls are leather, a nod to the equestrian country idea.
But First, Coffee
The Kruhoeffers are big coffee drinkers, so she tucked a coffee and tea bar behind the cabinet doors on the right side of the refrigerator. The area includes a built-in espresso machine, lighting for those mornings when the couple are up before sunrise and custom pullouts for mugs, coffee and tea.
Backsplash tile: Twill Chevron in Cotton, Knit collection, Walker Zanger
Two things drove the design of the range wall. One, the custom-framed, hand-plastered vent hood was meant to fade into the background, allowing the chevron backsplash pattern to be the star. Two, the designers wanted to let in the morning light on either side of the range. “We didn’t want there to be any dark corners in the kitchen,” Kruhoeffer says. So she put a window behind the cabinet to the right of the range. (When you open the cabinet doors you can see the window.) This cabinet sits atop the counter, contributing to the customized freestanding-furniture feel in the kitchen. The pulls are leather, a nod to the equestrian country idea.
But First, Coffee
The Kruhoeffers are big coffee drinkers, so she tucked a coffee and tea bar behind the cabinet doors on the right side of the refrigerator. The area includes a built-in espresso machine, lighting for those mornings when the couple are up before sunrise and custom pullouts for mugs, coffee and tea.
Backsplash tile: Twill Chevron in Cotton, Knit collection, Walker Zanger
A Cleverly Hidden Walk-In Pantry
A mostly glass door placed flush with the panel-front refrigerator and other cabinetry opens to a 36-square-foot walk-in pantry lined with custom grooved ash paneling. A window inside lets in light.
“I knew I was giving up shelf space in here by adding the window, but this way I can see right through the glass from the kitchen without even having to flick on the light. I used to have a shopping issue where I would buy the same can of peas and chicken broth multiple times, but now I can check and easily see what I have before I go to the store,” Kruhoeffer says.
Sliding baskets hold root vegetables, and pullout drawers make the bottom shelves easily accessible. The countertops are teak butcher block.
A mostly glass door placed flush with the panel-front refrigerator and other cabinetry opens to a 36-square-foot walk-in pantry lined with custom grooved ash paneling. A window inside lets in light.
“I knew I was giving up shelf space in here by adding the window, but this way I can see right through the glass from the kitchen without even having to flick on the light. I used to have a shopping issue where I would buy the same can of peas and chicken broth multiple times, but now I can check and easily see what I have before I go to the store,” Kruhoeffer says.
Sliding baskets hold root vegetables, and pullout drawers make the bottom shelves easily accessible. The countertops are teak butcher block.
One Casual or Formal Dining Space
Just past the buffet is this table, which serves as a formal dining area and a casual kitchen-adjacent eat-in spot. When it came to the light fixture, the couple’s “use what you’ve got” philosophy overrode “less is more.” “We bought this chandelier in Chicago years ago, and it has followed us to four houses now,” Kruhoeffer says. They also already had the marble-topped table, which originally lived in a hotel lobby. Minimalist upholstered chairs give the dining area a simpler, more casual look overall.
Chairs: RH
Find upholstered dining chairs
Just past the buffet is this table, which serves as a formal dining area and a casual kitchen-adjacent eat-in spot. When it came to the light fixture, the couple’s “use what you’ve got” philosophy overrode “less is more.” “We bought this chandelier in Chicago years ago, and it has followed us to four houses now,” Kruhoeffer says. They also already had the marble-topped table, which originally lived in a hotel lobby. Minimalist upholstered chairs give the dining area a simpler, more casual look overall.
Chairs: RH
Find upholstered dining chairs
This photo shows how the dining and kitchen spaces relate to each other. You also can see the box beam ceiling. The silhouettes of the columns mimic the shape of the exterior architecture’s braces.
Takeaways
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Takeaways
- Borrow elements from an inspiration house you admire and tailor them to suit your setting.
- Carry exterior elements indoors to create a pleasing cohesion throughout a home. Even in an urban apartment, architectural elements seen through the windows or from the block will work.
- Open shelves and picture windows can coexist beautifully.
- If full-on matchy-matchy is not your bag, you can still use the same or similar materials and colors to visually tie pieces together.
- Lights inside a coffee bar are great for early risers.
- A glass-front pantry door flush with the cabinetry is one to file away in a dream kitchen ideabook.
- Use what you’ve got. If you love it, it will work for you.
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About the shell on the island. It is just wonderful to see. I was given one of those 45 years ago as a wedding present and could not figure out what to do with it. It was lovely but seemed to take up a lot of room. I finally gave it to a younger person who was quite thrilled. Since then I have seen 2 great uses. This kitchen shows one of them-to turn it on its back and use it as a planter-just sublime. Also I had an aunt who was a Catholic nun and certainly very consciously spiritual and mindful. She had a beautiful shell upon which she had inked-in very tiny script-all of the most important dates in her life. She kept it displayed with the blank side facing the room but it was such a lovely idea. My shell went voyaging though. What a beautiful kitchen. So many lovely ideas which were perfectly executed. I disagree with those who say that the shelves detract from the views-not at all. Also I do not agree with the person who posits that looking out at all of that snow in the winter would be too cold. Far from it. There is nothing like a view of fresh snow on a bright morning to lift the spirits.
One of the most attractive, artistically-detailed and thoughtful designs I have ever seen. Best possible use of the light and views, with ingenious use of space while keeping it "simple." Stunner.
Gorgeous. I am uncertain about the practicality of the "suspension" shelving for glassware, etc. but the light colors are a breath of fresh air.