Go Behind The Design Of A Dreamy Green San Francisco Kitchen

The marriage of traditional architecture and bold, vibrant tones are what makes this kitchen sing explains designer Christopher Peacock, whose eponymous firm specializes in luxury kitchen design and exquisite cabinetry. When creating this space in San Francisco’s Ashbury Heights neighborhood, his team, led by senior designer Beth Kupper, began by looking at the rest of house, which was designed by Denise Maloney, and features beautiful original Edwardian-era details throughout. “If the client is willing, we make the kitchen a natural extension of the house, and you do that by referencing what came before,” explains Peacock. “We looked at the original large moldings and the bracket details and translated them to this space.”

While the home may be steeped in classic elements, the perimeter kitchen cabinets, endowed with traditional crown molding and paneled doors and drawers, skew modern thanks to their primary color (Benjamin Moore’s Webster Green) and purple accents (Benjamin Moore’s Eggplant). He adds: “I’m an advocate for strong color and the vibe it imparts. The palette here gives a very warm feeling.” That feeling is underlined with amber toned quartersawn oak used for the island and in the flooring. “This kind of wood has a lovely grain,” says Peacock. “It reminds me of Stickley furniture, which would be period appropriate for the house.” The burnished brass finish in the pulls and oversized hinges (also designed by Peacock) add a subtle sparkle, while the Viola Medicea marble used on the countertops and backsplash has striking purple and gray veins that give the space a distinctive dose of pattern. “It adds a lot of movement and interest,” says Peacock. “It’s like an artwork.”

With color and drama in place, a cozy upholstered banquette was nestled into a sunny corner, creating a comfortable place for the family to gather. “Although the kitchen is somewhat petite, it feels like a living space, a place to gather,” Peacock observes. “I’ve heard it said that the best kitchens are living rooms we cook in, and I agree.”