When In Wenham…

…tour some kitchens! Saturday, as part of a full-day birthday fun-day for my mom’s 85th, we took in the Wenham Museum’s Heart of the Home 5th Annual Kitchen Tour.

It was a gorgeous sunny fall day, perfect for leaf-peaping and pumpkin decorating!

as we travelled the North Shore on our kitchen quest. 

We had an opportunity to glimpse inside the lovely kitchens of homeowners who had graciously opened their homes for this good cause. Many were recently renovated, some eclectic and charming, some dramatic, each showcasing the style of the owners. Unfortunately, it was requested that we not take photographs of the interiors. So, the pics below are some that I garnered from the designers’ and realtors’ websites who were participating.

A few standouts, (imho): This blue and white South Hamilton kitchen created by lmk interiors, ltd. Warm and inviting, it instantly enveloped you in the glow of creamy custom cabinetry, blue and white florals and reclaimed heart pine flooring. (pup not included)

We loved the little touches like this desk/niche tucked under the staircase

and this (well-stocked!) wine bar.

In the very large estate at Bridle Path Lane, we were treated to a custom cherry kitchen by North Shore Kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances and many extra touches like the pot-filler faucet over the stovetop.

This home was massive, over 6400 sq, and is actually being marketed by Sotheby’s.

Click here for more info, if you happen to be in the market for a $1.95m home…

Along the way, we stopped for a celebratory birthday lunch at Cygnet in Beverly Farms. The unassuming exterior does not truly reflect the beauty and comfort of the dining room, with high-back cushioned settees creating a cozy and romantic atmosphere. Since we were celebrating 2 birthdays (my daughter and mom are birthday buddies), we just had to begin with a toast of Prosecco-yum!

and end with a scrumptious brownie sundae with two candles for the birthday girls : )

A truly fab lunch, but it took a little longer than expected, so we raced back to Hamilton to make it to the homes we had skipped over earlier. Our final stop, as the last bell tolled at 4pm, was at the Country Club Estates in Ipswich, to view a stunning kitchen designed by Wilson Kelsey Design, Inc. Striking white with black granite and marble and stainless steel,

with a breathtaking hand-painted ocean mural by Zoe-Design. Stunning. I wish I could have shown you all the kitchens, because there was a moment of inspiration in each one. Soft grey zebra-striped wallpaper graced one kitchen’s walls, and soapstone counters gave another its’ country charm. Perhaps next year the organizers will allow photos, so those who could not attend won’t miss out on what was an inspiring day. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed that I won the raffle prize! Susan