A Hamptons Kitchen Renovation

Interiors

A Hamptons Kitchen Renovation

With Jessie Loeffler Randall...

The very chic and clever, Jessie Loeffler Randall, owner and creative director of the beautiful fashion and accessories brand, Loeffler Randall has done it again. This time, with the kitchen renovation update to her home in Bridgehampton, New York.

Swathes of colour - 'pea green' with 'cooks blue', layered with cool marble, encaustic tiles, floral prints, and a colourful candle rack, no less; this is a kitchen of dreams. An ode to the personal, feminine style that Jessies infuses so brilliantly into Loeffler Randall, but also a clever use of space, with consideration for the seasons, and times of day, for a busy family. And perhaps, a little bit of the Cotswolds too...

Although Jessie knew her taste, a chance meeting with an acquaintance who is now a close friend, the interior designer, Zoe Feldman, made her realise she needed to call in expert help and the duo never looked back. "I know my style and my taste and what I wanted to choose for the details", recalls Jessie."But I was (and am) clueless about space planning. Zoe is a genius and immediately took one look and said this space is not laid out correctly!"

Describing her new kitchen as personal, special and comfortable, we couldn't wait for a tour! Here Jessie walks us through the inspiration, her favourite elements (like the scallop-edged cavernous kitchen island), growing collections (plates, linens & more) from her travels, and gives us a style file on where she sourced everything - from marble to lighting, tiles to candles...

What made you want to renovate the kitchen in your Bridgehampton home?
We bought our house twelve years ago and it was a new build. It was a blank slate but also had zero personality or charm. The kitchen was something I never liked. It was stark white with fake dark countertops and an odd layout. I tried various subtle changes over the years but I decided to do a full overhaul recently.

You worked with interior designer Zoe Feldman - how did this come about?
It’s so funny because Zoe and I reconnected over a dinner in DC a few years ago. It turns out we used to hang out a lot in our early twenties. We had a mutual hilarious best friend named Stacy. I am so grateful that Zoe came back into my life. She is such a close friend now. We call each other all the time when we are happy or sad or need to vent or just laugh. I adore her.

Describe the vibe you wanted to create for your new kitchen in 3 words…
Personal, special, comfortable

We love the details - scalloped trim, feminine prints etc… how much did your fashion sensibility inspire your kitchen design?
When my kids were little I was overwhelmed with taking care of them and had zero time to focus on the decor of my house. But recently as they have gotten older (my twins are in their last year of high school now which blows my mind) I’ve had time to focus on things I love - like interiors. I wanted the kitchen to be a reflection of my style and I was also so influenced by my trips to the Cotswolds actually! That is where I met Willow and also stayed at the gorgeous Bull Inn. I was so inspired by spaces that felt personal with lots of different textures. The kitchen has quite a British feel. I did want it to feel like a place in the Cotswolds.

How would you describe the transformation?
It was a total transformation. I know my style and my taste and what I wanted to choose for the details but I was (and am) clueless about space planning. Zoe is a genius and immediately took one look and said this space is not laid out correctly! She moved the stove which I didn’t even realize was something you could do and she right-sized the proportion between kitchen and dining area. She came up with the gorgeous scallop design of the island which is such a showpiece of the space. I learned so many tricks from her like the idea of having a shelf go across a window.

The biggest change in your new kitchen renovation?
I mean every aspect is a total game changer. First of all the colors. Before the space was stark, now it is so colorful and unique. I would say that the island is such a statement piece. Before my island was small and completely square and it wasn’t functional and was ugly as well. Now my island is something that makes me smile every time I see it.
The tile was a bit of a wacky idea I had. My husband was very skeptical but I think now he agrees the tile makes the space special. I love the feel of the tile under my feet. It also reminds me of my trip to Marrakech which is such a fond memory.
I also love that I decided to put a big couch in my kitchen because I use my kitchen like a living room. I love to relax in there. I can spend all day there now! I also love the skirted “slipcover” I put on the couch to protect it from the dogs. It’s actually two bedspreads that I faked to look like a slipcover.

What’s your favourite part of your new kitchen?
I love the island. Zoe really wanted to make sure there was ample space to display my ceramics collections and so I love my plate rack. My couch as mentioned is a highlight, as well as the pretty skirted Beauvamp lamp.

You have a gorgeous display of wall plates - where have you collected them from?
I love to see things all around me that remind me of my travels. Travel is such a source of inspo for me and my plates collection is a mix of so many things I love. I have plates I bought from an artist in San Miguel in Mexico (Meztiz), scalloped plates from a Japanese artist Kaneko Kohyo from RW Guild, my favorite Carolina Irving and Daughters plates as well as the plates I collect from eBay and Etsy.

What about copper pots? What other collections have you incorporated into your kitchen?
This was another idea of Zoe’s. It was fun to start a collection of something during the process of designing this kitchen. Any time I was in a thrift or antique store I looked for copper pots. I like the little copper measuring cups that hang along side them. I’m also collecting baskets too as the under space in the island is meant to house all kinds of baskets. My friend Erin from Underwater Weaving has made me many special ones. I also collect vintage baskets.

3 things you’ll often find on your kitchen island?
1. Flowers from my cut-and-come-again garden (I love flowers so much and this year I was able to put in a garden so I can make arrangements using my own flowers. I have tried to go the whole summer without purchasing any other flowers and so far I have kept that promise to myself).
2. Often you will find my sewing machine on my island because I work there on all my various sewing projects. The island is so huge it’s perfect for cutting fabric and working on projects I have going.
3. A giant antique bowl I got at an antique shop in Sag Harbor that I fill with fruits and vegetables.

Tell us about the inspiration for the hanging candle rack…
Candles are such an important part of setting a table. I love the array of subtle colors. I had an idea to just put a full rack of candles right on the wall. I can choose any gorgeous color I want depending on the color scheme of my table. It’s a part of the kitchen that people always remark on.

What flowers do you regularly like to have in your kitchen?
As mentioned above the flowers I grow in my own garden. I especially like flowers and stems that have an interesting, wild shape.

What daily ritual do you have in your gorgeous kitchen?
Sitting on my couch with my dogs. Lately, as I have expanded the reno of our beach house room by room I’ve been doing so many sewing projects that the machine is always out. I made the curtain below the sink myself from fabric I got in Sweden. I like to make things and also to save money so sewing things myself is something I do all the time.

Can you please share/confirm sources/details for new fit out….
Kitchen cabinet paint colour - Pea Green from Farrow & Ball
Blue colour for the plate rack? Cook’s Blue Farrow & Ball (I chose it because I like the name)
Brass sink from - Etsy - Etsy is so great for sinks. You can customize them and they are so affordable.
Marble countertops - from Bas Stone - a woman-owned stone resource in the city
Floor tiles - checkered zellige tile from Mosaic House
Wallpaper - our very own wallpaper and interior fabric collection with Temple Studio Loeffler Randall x Temple Studio print
Fabric for sofa - removable slipcover created out of two king-size Les Indiennes bedspreads
Kitchen island pendant - Devol
Pendant over dining table Beauvamp
DIY skirt under kitchen sink - Svenskt Tenn fabric picked up in Sweden
Sconce - Nicky Kehoe
Kitchen chairs: vintage chairs from Beall and Bell in Greenport, NY