The kitchen's open
between Alicia and
“We entertain
layout makes for easy back-and-forth
her guests in the adjoining living room.
like crazy,” Alicia says.
An island separates
the kitchen,
above?
from the living room.
The island can be used
as a buffet; it also
gives guests places to
sit (or pitch in) while
Alicia is cooking.
The couple put an
informal entry,
opposite, to fuller use
by adding cabinetry, a
second sink, and wall
ovens. Daniel often
drops off dirty dishes
on his w ay in from
grilling on the deck.
When the weather turns cold, it's the go-to
place for Saturday movie night, enjoyed near
a crackling fire. The decorating is simple; a
few modern and industrial touches, but totally
livable. “I want chairs and couches that people
can slouch in—really comfortable pieces,”
says Alicia, a community development banker
with a knack for decorating. “At the end of the
day, it's not so much about how a room looks
but how comfortable it is. That's the needle
I’m trying to thread in this house,”
That same real-life practicality applies to
the open layout, too. It allows Alicia to do her
thing in the kitchen and still talk with family
or guests.
“Vm
a huge cook,” she says. “My
friends often tease me that Fm the queen of
stews.” Olivia, 14, and Rosa help out, adding
ingredients to the bourguignorme or chopping
fresh vegetables. Alicia is known to put guests
to work, too: *Tf you're sitting at the island,
you'll likely be chopping. There's no rest for
the weary in my house.”
Rut guests often sneak awTay to scribe
messages on the chalkboard wall in the hall“
waylike room from the kitchen to the deck,
which is Daniel's domain for grilling. On this
day, the chalkboard overflows with notes of
thanks, plus peace signs and doodles from the
girls' friends. Alicia is thrilled that something
as simple as a wall painted with chalkboard
paint has been such a hit. “We love the idea
of something functional but also something
that's fun,” she says. “That wall has become a
signature feature.”
In fact, about the only tension that may
occasionally rise in the couple's home is what
to do when the chalkboard is full and more
guests are on their way. “Which part of the
board gets erased— now that's an interesting
negotiation ” Alicia says.
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