In a nod to the enduring legacy of the English Arts & Crafts movement, designers Marlene Small, Allied ASID and Carole Harston, ASID, RID of Heritage Interiors infused timeless craftsmanship and thoughtful detail into the heart of a 2023-24 show home kitchen. With layered materials, rich color palettes, and a reverence for natural texture, the result is a sophisticated yet welcoming space that feels rooted in tradition yet designed for modern life.
A seamless solution with soul
“We didn’t want to break the quartzite with a seam,” says Harston. “By framing the perimeter with Grothouse Walnut, we created a functional dining space and introduced a soft, organic layer to complement the crisp cabinetry and structural ceiling beams.”
Photo by John Walsh, Premier Property Media
The collaboration continued into the prep kitchen, where space constraints required creative problem-solving. Floating walnut shelves, also manufactured by Grothouse, feature integrated lighting, maximizing both form and function. Their substantial 2” thickness and aesthetic echo the island’s warmth, while balancing the bold checkered tile backdrop with natural elegance.
A spotlight on craft and collaboration
Awarded first place in both Oak Alley Dream Street’s Residential Model Home and Residential Industry Partner Collaboration categories, this project exemplifies how intentional materiality and artisanal detailing can elevate a kitchen from expected to exceptional.
From a design perspective, the use of wood in these spaces is more than an aesthetic decision, it’s an invitation. It draws the eye, softens hard lines, and bridges the historical with the contemporary. In a market increasingly driven by clean lines and cool palettes, Grothouse’s handcrafted surfaces offer designers a chance to bring soul back into the space. And in this kitchen, designers Marlene Small and Carole Harston knew just how to incorporate wood surfacing to provide their clients with the perfect balance of contrast. Contact the Grothouse team at 610-767-6515 to elevate your next project with wood.
Photo by John Walsh, Premier Property Media
Project Credits
Interior Design: Marlene Small, Allied ASID and Carole Harston, ASID, RID, Heritage Interiors
Photography: John Walsh, Premier Property Media
Kitchen Collaboration: The Kitchen Source, Southlake – Amber Paulk, CKD
