One of the challenges of this project was to design the kitchen island around a jack post that was required to support an overhead beam. The kitchen/dining area is quite large and open. I thought that wrapping a pine tree around it with the root structure intact would be a solution and would look beautiful as well. With the help of The Cutting Brothers in Port Carling, I think we came up with the perfect answer to the problem. With the ledge rock scribed to the trunk and the appearance of the tree growing through the solid cherry bar top, it is quite stunning. Under counter low voltage lighting illuminates the stone and tree roots for a subtle warmth.
There is a mix of woods and finishes as well. Cherry hilights the raised bar top, the full height pantry style cabinet that contains a gas fireplace to warm up those cool spring and fall mornings, a bar area built-in under a set of stairs, and a work island in the kitchen that has a locally harvested beech butcher block countertop.
The kitchen cabinetry is finished in a lightly distressed off white colour and contains soft close hinges and drawer slides, spice/oil racks beside the Wolf gas range, polished granite counters, and a hand hammered sink in the peninsula.
A red pine crotch is used as a pedistal for a cherry table top, scribed into the curved island.
This has been a project that I am very proud to have built. The owners gave me the artistic freedom to add different elements and create something very unique. Thanks also goes to Judy Curtis for her vision.
