Grand Central

The refined kitchen of this new traditionally-styled home in Darien, Connecticut features smart storage and graceful details that promote casual, impromptu gatherings.

Darien, Connecticut is acclaimed for its high standard of living and location on Long Island Sound, so when this family with three children needed to refine their living situation, they decided to raze the existing home and build anew A typical day sees the family scattered between New York's financial district, local volunteer endeavors, school and ballet lessons, but during the evening any day of the week the family reconvenes along with various groups, neighborhood and school friends who congregate at the home to cook and share dinner.

Observing a strong central line from the front door to the terrace's glass doors, Kitchen Designer Lindy Weaver positioned a large table and chairs on the line to make it even more pronounced and enhance the symmetrical aspects of her design. Clutter is concealed with a two-door pantry that hides small appliances and three desks with cabinetry that hides printers and files. Here, the children do homework and can surf the web under mom and dad's watchful eyes. With a bank of windows and no less thatn six doors to work around, Weaver had only eight feet of wall space to work with, so she installed two islands, making the interior food prep island a few inches shorter to create visual separation. The island also houses Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator, Sub-Zero wine refrigeration and a microwave. "We wanted this to be very calm and quiet," says Weaver, who employed continuity in all the wood cabinetry and honed limestone to achieve the tranquili feel.

Sunday mornings the dad loves to whip up pancakes for the family on the the Wolf 60-inch grill, which Weaver suggested for its bold aesthetic that created more symmetry in the design, French top that can double as more counter space, and two full-size ovens that make the most of the room's limited wall space. "I specify Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove because of their reliability and flexibilty," says Weaver. "I can accomplish refrigeration or cooking tasks all over the kitchen through any number of sizes, styles and configurations."