Steal This Look: An Antique Dealer’s Kitchen, Painted Checkerboard Floor Included

A while back, Margot wrote about the charming home of antiques dealer Jonathan Burden and costume designer JJ Joseph (see Farmhouse Refresh: A Clean and Simple Family Retreat on Shelter Island). The couple had chosen to buy the old, scrappy farmhouse because nothing had been done to it—“so we didn’t have to redo bad things,” Jonathan told Margot. Instead of renovating it, they revived it, respectfully straightening its bones and polishing its surfaces. The TLC they gave to the house is evident in every room—including the kitchen.


“The kitchen is located in a long-ago converted chicken coop, which the Burdens refreshed with understated components: a farmhouse sink, cherry counter with skirted storage underneath, and open shelving in the unused space next to the fridge,” wrote Margot. Jonathan worked alongside a local carpenter in every room, and even painted the checkerboard flooring himself.


Here’s everything you need to get the look of this characterful space, borne of the DIY spirit:


Featured image by Dana Gallagher, styling by Hilary Robertson.
Above: White textiles, wood accents, and a neutral wall paint allow the checkerboard floor to really shine.


The Basics



Above: Shaw’s Original 3018 Fireclay Apron Front Sink from Rohl is a classic farmhouse sink, still individually made in Lancashire, England. The 30-inch-wide model is $1,118 at Home Depot. (For more apron front sinks, see 10 Easy Pieces: White Kitchen Farmhouse Sinks.)
Above: The 25-inch-wide Boos Cherry Edge Countertop is $658 for a 60-inch length. (Multiple lengths, from 12 inches to 145 inches, are available.)
Above: Smeg’s Full Size Refrigerator is $1,999 at Williams Sonoma.


The Decor


Above: As to be expected from an antiques dealer’s home, much of the furniture is old. This Antique Dropleaf Farmhouse Table, from 86Home on Etsy, would be a perfect addition to a farmhouse kitchen; $1,402.50.
Above: Rag rugs are a country home classic. H&M’s Cotton Rag Rug is just $17.99.
Above: Wood accents warm up the black, white, and gray palette. Lostine’s Bella Skirt Lamp, featuring an oak base, is $655.
Above: A 7-inch-long Italian Rustic Rosewood Bowl is $30 at Sur la Table.
Above: Don’t know how to sew? Etsy has quite a few vendors who will custom-make simple linen curtains at an affordable price. Lineniest offers Linen Cafe Curtains starting at $18 for a 20-by 20-inch panel.


The Paint


Above: The walls are painted Farrow & Ball’s Dove Tale, described by the company as a “warm gray with lilac undertones.”


The Floor


Above: Jonathan painted the black and white checkered floor himself. For a great DIY tutorial, go here. Not up for the project? Consider this wool and cotton Checkmate Flatweave Rug by Aelfie; $89 to $1,889.


For more DIY kitchens, see:



* Steal This Look: A Hudson Valley DIY Kitchen by a Stealth Design Star

* L.A. Story: A Budget Kitchen Makeover, DIY Countertop Hack Included

* Steal This Look: The $4K Parisian Kitchen from Two DIY Experts






N.B.: This story originally ran on October 20, 2020 and has been updated. | bit.ly/3XLoEJb


http://dlvr.it/T92xm7