2 min readJust 15 inches wide, the petite walnut island in this California kitchen can do tricks: Stools slide underneath, books tuck inside, and four charming turned legs—complete with bead detailing—give it the look of an elegant antique. It’s one of many custom solutions that make the 194-square-foot kitchen inside this 1915 Mediterranean Revival home so livable.
Upon learning that her clients were determined to have an island, designer Alexandra Azat, founder of Plaster & Patina, responded with what she calls a “small but mighty” solution. She preserved the room’s original windows and historic character and made the most of every inch, showcasing how careful spatial planning can solve any riddle. “It’s all about measurements,” Azat says. “When you understand the dimensions inside and out, you know what’s possible.” The result is compact, but it manages to feel surprisingly open.
Working within the limitations of a historic floor plan meant getting creative with storage. A pair of inlaid French doors conceals cupboards built into a former passageway. Perched on pretty legs, the nearby custom walnut island provides charm and just the right amount of counter space. At night, a picture light casts a warm glow across items inside a glass-front hutch.
Capturing the room’s best natural light, the sink wall includes a framed painting hung right between the windows. “We’re big on hanging art in kitchens,” Azat says. “We want the kitchen to be as swanky as the living room.”
The area just beyond the kitchen serves as the family’s everyday dining spot. Walls wrapped in a historical C.F.A. Voysey pattern, reimagined in grasscloth, add interest, while the clients’ existing table and chairs keep the room personal. The round table allows plenty of room to roam.
About the Designer
Alex Azat is the founder and lead designer of Plaster & Patina, a California-based firm. Regarded as an industry leader, Alex designs homes that stand the test of time. Refined, interesting, and worldly, her designs epitomize all things sophisticated. Alex is known for her infectious energy and enthusiasm, but most importantly, for her ability to deeply understand and educate her clients through a potentially stressful process.
