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Kitchen of the Week: A Onetime Carnegie Library Gets Cooking

Trading books for baguettes, this California kitchen underwent years of remodels before its latest modern incarnation

Vanessa BrunnerJanuary 25, 2013

Houzz Contributor

Built in 1910, this beautiful Mill Valley, California, home had a previous life as one of the 2,500 libraries built by businessman Andrew Carnegie. After a new library was built in the area 50 years later, this structure became a private residence, and years of remodels left little of the original interior. When a local family of four decided it was their turn to call the library home, Bay Area designer Matt Bear worked with The Last Inch, a custom cabinetry and woodworking company, to redo the space, paying tribute to the remaining structure within a modern design.

Photography by Matt Bear, Union Studio

Union Studio

After the new library in Mill Valley was built, this original one fell into disrepair. Until the clients bought it in 2008, it had been owned by several different residents and had gone through various remodels. In fact, none of the original interior was intact, save for a single bookcase in the living room.

Countertop: Richlite; cabinetry, hardware: The Last Inch

The Last Inch

This artistic family works in design and wanted a big and bold interior that would encourage creativity. The long space allowed for a 16-foot island — perfect for communal cooking and entertaining.

Sink: Franke; faucet: Dornbracht; range: Gaggenau Vario; pendants: Penta Lighting

Union Studio

Local contractor Bill Dew worked within the home's existing roof to create a large skylight. The shape of the skylight mimics the island below and lets in plenty of light, but still leaves the original roof trusses in place. The block of open cabinetry next to the island also lets light in and separates the staircase from the kitchen area.

Art: Peter Wegner

Union Studio

Bear worked with The Last Inch to choose durable, solid materials and natural finishes that will age beautifully. The cabinetry and built-ins are made of solid hand-hewn American black walnut. The Last Inch grain-matched the walnut cabinetry so the boards run across multiple drawer faces. The hand-scraped surfaces add texture and depth.

Refrigerator: Gaggenau; pot rack:Union Studio

The Last Inch

Deciding where to put the refrigerator can be tricky. "We ended up placing it front and center, but downplayed its 'refrigeratorness' by cladding the doors in hot-rolled steel," says Bear.

The Last Inch

A modular cooktop from Gaggenau allowed Bear to lay out the cooking elements in a single line, taking advantage of the island's length. This model also has downdraft vents, so he didn't have to hang a hood above. Instead, dramatic black linen pendants draw attention to the space's high ceilings.

Floors: solid wide-plank white oak, matte commercial finish

Union Studio

The shelves in the adjacent dining space replaced windows that had been removed during a previous remodel. Although the team considered putting in windows to match the originals, the view out back to an adjacent building was so awful, they decided to install shelving instead. This change still maintains the structure's historic exterior.

Dining table, benches: Union Studio; art: Ethan Murrow