Contemporary Farmhouse Kitchen Design

This kitchen brings old and new together in a sophisticated manner. Cabinetmaker/kitchen designer John McGilvray worked with the homeowners to combine reclaimed materials with top-of-the-line features in their Tennessee lakefront house.

The wood on the hood vent and the corbels and the siding on the center island were all once part of a barn that stood on the home's property. "The land has been in the family for several generations, so it meant a lot to the homeowners that they were able to incorporate a piece of family history in their new home," says McGilvray. A couple of nooks were tucked underneath the island countertop to provide extra storage and a little architectural interest.

The reclaimed barn wood was also used on the family room fireplace which sits opposite the open floor-plan kitchen.

To give this new kitchen warmth with a time-worn feel, McGilvray built an antique-style hutch. "Using freestanding furniture in the kitchen instead of more wall cabinets adds a shot of personality and makes the space feel cozier," says McGilvray.