This Stunning Kitchen is Holiday Central
Oh what fun it is to gather in this Connecticut cookspace. HGTV Magazine takes you inside.

Dane Tashima
The Story
Most of us would love the chance to step back into our childhood home for a day; Kate Pascucci gets to live in hers. The OB-GYN and mother of three purchased the West Hartford, Connecticut, house she grew up in when her dad was ready to downsize, and she has been slowly adding her own touches. “I have so many great memories here, but I wanted to update it for my young family,” says Kate.
Her recent project: a kitchen overhaul. She tapped designer Corey Hunton to add more function — and style — to the space, and they decided to go big on the island and max out every inch for storage. (The top looks like marble but it’s kid- and baking-friendly quartz.) The new kitchen has become the ideal spot for gathering with family and friends — just in time for the holidays. “I’ll be hosting 40 people in here for Christmas,” says Kate. “It’s where the magic happens!”

Dane Tashima
The Details
Gas Fireplace
The 1929 home gets drafty, so Kate wanted a fireplace in the kitchen. Corey found this vent-free version from Sólas. “It turns on with a remote, which the kids love!” Kate says. Corey added the brick wall to create the look of a chimney. The faux pine and wool-ball garlands are from Afloral and Craftspring.
Copper Lighting
Corey chose copper for the pendants (these are from Cordero Home & Lighting) so they wouldn’t be too matchy-matchy with the brass hood and honey bronze hardware.

Dane Tashima
Three-Tone Cabinets
Black cabinets (Onyx by Benjamin Moore) and a dark wood stain on the island help break up the white of the counters and walls. "I spend my days working in a sterile hospital — I could not have an all-white kitchen!” says Kate.

Dane Tashima
Brass-Strapped Hood
A local metalworker cut and installed brass strapping on the hood. “It gives it a glam custom touch without breaking the budget,” Kate says. The matching pulls on the cabinets are from Top Knobs.
Fun Tiles
“Homelife revolves around the kids, so it was important the kitchen feel a bit playful,” says Kate. She fell in love with this Moroccan star design from Villa Lagoon Tile. Corey chose glossy white subway tiles for the backsplash.