Kitchen Trends from the Newburyport Kitchen Tour: Part 1

May 12, 2024 Janet Lorusso

Today I had the opportunity to attend the annual Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour. Special thanks to my friend and fellow designer and blogger Linda Merrill for offering me the tickets!

It was a beautiful sunshine-y spring day - perfect weather for visiting this charming seaside enclave.

There were 8 homes on the tour and I took a zillion pictures, so I’ll just cover the first 4 in this post and the rest in another post.

Every home was different with a unique point of view, but there were some trending ideas threaded throughout. Organic and natural materials, classic subway tiles and brick, and marble or marble-like quartz counters were prevalent.

Classic white cabinetry still has a strong presence, but often mixed with the warmth of natural wood and/or paired with an accent color cabinetry. Nature colors like shades of blue, appropriate for the coastal location, or dramatic black cabinetry were all present.

And wallpaper appeared in many adjacent spaces from powder rooms to living rooms.

There were also local eateries offering tastings at several of the homes - a delightful perk!

Newburyport Kitchen Tour House 1: Middle Street

The first home on the tour was a historic property. The William Nichols House was built @1760. The kitchen area was completely gutted and beautifully renovated to accommodate the needs of the homeowners young family.

Builder: Windward Shaw

Kitchen and Interior Design: Holly Gagne Interior Design

The spaces were reorganized to allow for a great room with a kitchen with a large island, a walk in pantry, and an adjacent dining area all with ready access to the back yard. The seating area was relocated to the front room with a cozy sectional and another fireplace.

Cabinets are painted in Sherwin Williams Indigo Batik, and the hardware is from Emtek in satin brass. The stove wall backsplash is 3 shades of brick veneer for a lime wash effect.

The dining area contains a built in sideboard and storage wall with display shelves, and a fireplace topped with a Frame TV that masquerades as artwork.

Leather dining chairs and woven lanterns over the table add warm tones and textures, and the table was set with dishes with a bamboo border.

The pantry features a sliding barn door with a chalkboard surface, and Real Craft sliding door hardware in polished brass.

The mudroom contains large storage cabinets in the same blue and a pretty brick floor.

The seating area was relocated to the front room with a cozy sectional and another fireplace. the seaside colors and natural textures continue here with deep blue seating and a woven leather ottoman.

The charming powder bath features hand stenciled walls in a striking orange raindrop pattern, shiplap wainscoting, and woven wicker sconces.

Newburyport Kitchen Tour House 2: Lincoln Street

The second home on the tour was Ireland House, a Victorian built @1890, and the rear of the house was completely remodeled to create a new, upgraded kitchen, backyard access, and a large mudroom while staying true to the character of the house.

Builder: Windhill Builders

Kitchen Design: Alexandra Ford at Cummings Architecture and Interiors

Plaid wallpaper from Brewster adds a fresh note to the front parlor, and Harlequin leaf print wallpaper enlivens the powder room.

The kitchen features a large island and cabinetry in a steel gray-blue called Plummet No. 272 from Farrow and Ball. A brick backsplash adds warmth and texture to the stove wall, and patterned tile with compass-like patchwork pattern enlivens the perimeter.

Counters are a gorgeous honed Taj Mahal quartzite, and the island has a stained cherry countertop.

Tucked behind the brick wall is a coffee station in a tiny nook.

More blue cabinetry amd a slate floor in the expanded mudroom.

The dining area and family room overlook the expansive back yard.

A Japanese inspired garden is a delightful surprise tucked in the back corner of the yard.

Newburyport Kitchen Tour House 3: Hancock Street

The third home on the tour was Leavitt Court, a @1916 farmhouse reimagined into a modern farmhouse with a soaring two story ceiling that was originally the top of the second floor.

Classic modern farmhouse finishes include the shiplap ceiling, subway tile, and shaker cabinetry and paneled wainscoting.

The island and dining area cabinetry are a contrasting deep blue, and the perimeter cabinets are white accented with light oak in the hood and floating wall shelves.

A sofa is tucked into one corner and a pair of vintage chairs reupholstered in a contemporary polka dot print hold court in the opposite corner near the access to the deck and gardens.

Newburyport Kitchen Tour House 4: Reilly Ave

The fourth home on the tour was a ‘California-modern’ home, as the homeowner wanted to bring a bit of CA back to the place where she had grown up.

Builder: Casewell Development

Kitchen Design: Graf Architects

Interior Designer: Brie Matter (homeowner) and Colleen Farias of Cider Street Designs

This open concept great room is a study in dramatic black and warm woods. Black cabinetry with statement brass hardware, a stained wood island and furnishings, and leather and woven wicker seating all mix beautifully.

The luxury appliances include an Italian range from Hallman and True wine storage columns and freezers.

The opulent butlers pantry features black and walnut cabinetry, a hammered brass bar sink, and a styled palm leaf wallpaper from Mitchell Black.

A rear area includes a large mudroom with more black cabinet storage and a bench along with a black and white powder room with a console sink.

The backyard features several outdoor seating areas including one with a fireplace and TV.

This stop on the tour also had musical entertainment and snacks in the backyard!

The side yard exited past this pretty dogwood tree and through a gate.

These three ladies are new friends I met as we followed each other along the tour! They too had traveled quite a distance to get there, but the inspiration is well worth the trip.

I’ll be back with the other four stops on the tour next week…stay tuned!