A Dual-Island Kitchen Designed for Cooking, Gathering, and Change

Lauren Davenport reimagines a dated kitchen with masculine warmth, natural materials, and precise proportion

A chic coffee nook allows for ultimate morning ease with its built-in sink and granite counter. Instead of concealing the appliance in a cabinet, this pocket moment is an inviting point of interest.

The stylish Waterstone faucet looks at home in the natural-hued kitchen, adding a touch of glamour. “It’s attention-grabbing, but it doesn’t take over,” says designer Lauren Davenport.

Change often begets change. Such was the case for a client of Lauren Davenport’s, principal of Davenport Designs. The homeowner was moving on to a new phase of his life, and it seemed the right time to rethink the hub of his home. His existing kitchen was large but inefficient thanks to a massive, angled island dividing the space. “You couldn’t move easily throughout the kitchen,” says Davenport. “He needed something different with plenty of storage, working space, and an entertaining area.”

To this end, Davenport introduced dual islands. The first is devoted to cooking and cleanup, the second to casual dining and gathering. Carefully considered lighting—pendants above the working island and hardwired lamps in the entertainment island—differentiates the two spaces. An avid cook, the owner had some must-haves: A fully integrated coffee station makes for an easy morning routine, while a stainless refrigerator and oversize freezer seamlessly slide in between cabinetry. “It’s important for a kitchen to function well for culinary enthusiasts,” notes Davenport.

A palette of natural materials grounds the design. “He loves to hike and be outdoors,” says the designer. “We kept that in mind with the more natural finishes.” Custom white oak cabinetry in a wire-brushed driftwood finish pairs with leathered Blue Dunes granite countertops, chosen for their organic depth and tactile appeal. Masculine details—bronze hardware, a custom metal-trimmed hood, and rope-backed barstools with dark wood and leather seats—add texture without heaviness. The finished kitchen is a study in proportion and calm—functional yet richly layered and warm. “He starts and ends his day in this room,” she says. “It had to be both beautiful and completely livable.”

INTERIOR DESIGNER Lauren Davenport and Anne-Spencer Proctor, Davenport Designs CONTRACTOR M.T. Morris Construction CABINETRY Phoenix Millworks HOOD CopperSmith RANGE Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove GRANITE Cosmos Surfaces, fabricated by A Touch of Stone, Inc. WORKING ISLAND FAUCET Waterstone WORKING ISLAND PENDANTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ISLAND LAMPS Visual Comfort & Co.