Designed by Erin Hackett Nordholt of Columbus, Ohio-based Hackett House Studio as a warm, collected retreat for a household with three young children, this family kitchen exemplifies her approach of blending functionality and quiet luxury.
The new-build home was intended to be 6,500 square feet. However, rising lumber costs necessitated the project be scaled back to roughly 4,500 square feet. The building ultimately lost one bedroom, and the remaining spaces were scaled proportionally; the kitchen now measures about 14 x 12. This downsizing became an exercise in prioritization, with Nordholt encouraging the clients to focus on quality finishes and craftsmanship rather than maximizing square footage.
In the kitchen, this is realized in several ways. The client originally was hesitant to use marble in the room as she had three kids under five; there were potentially years of discoloring spills and knife-nicks ahead. The Hackett House team explained that natural stone is actually a more durable alternative to synthetic surfaces like quartz, because it can be polished and refinished many times in the course of its lifecycle. Once they introduced the homeowners to slabs of Nathalia Undulato marble, the decision was easily made to use the stone for counters and backsplashes.
This dovetails with the studio’s commitment to using sustainable materials in its work. In addition to a variety of natural stone surfaces, this project also features hardwood floors, low-VOC materials and natural fibers.
As with every job, the Hackett House team encountered opportunities for growth. “This was our freshman project as a design studio and while the end result is gorgeous, it taught us a lot about processes,” said Nordholt. “We did not understand the true value of executing the design work during the preconstruction phase, and left too many decisions to be decided while construction was underway.” This experience has helped shape the firm’s current process, which prioritizes comprehensive design planning before framing begins.
Sources for Family Kitchen with Flair
Design: Erin Hackett Nordholt, Hackett House Studio Architect: Milhoan Architects Builder: TRL Custom Homes Photography: Natalie Folchi, Folchi Creative Cabinetry: H&S Cabinets Cabinet Hardware: Emtek Countertops: OHM Stone Faucets and Sinks: Kohler Freezer, Refrigerator: Thermador Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting (kitchen), Currey & Company (living room) Paint: Sherwin-Williams (walls), Benjamin Moore (cabinets) Range: ILVE
