Inspirations

Kitchen of the Week: A France-Meets-California, Ikea-Meets-Custom Kitchen in Normandy

I often find myself browsing Remodelista’s Design Travel archives for a virtual escape from my desk. Lately, for instance, I’ve been visiting Riverside House, a 19th-century house turned vacation rental in Normandy. It’s the project of Tatiana Dupond, who is French, and her husband, Jordan Feilders, “the American who introduced California-style artisanal burger and taco trucks to Paris,” Margot wrote in our original feature on the place (see A Normandy Guesthouse from an Upstart American Restaurateur).

Today we’re taking a look at the guesthouse kitchen, ideal for prepping effortless midsummer dinners that last long into the night, French style. Read on:

Photography courtesy of Riverside House.

the couple worked to shore up and restore the original stone buildings; feilder 9
Above: The couple worked to shore up and restore the original stone buildings; Feilders also brought in Gilles Tombeur, a Paris-based interior architect and friend.
the house hadn’t been occupied since the 1970s, margot reported. h 10
Above: The house hadn’t been occupied since the 1970s, Margot reported. Here, a terra cotta-tiled entry leads into the pared-back but cheerful dining area, complete with Hay J77 chairs (once in Feilder’s restaurant dining room).
dupond in the dining area, which has its original mantel. we like the vintage f 11
Above: Dupond in the dining area, which has its original mantel. We like the vintage French enamel water jug, which holds a spray of dried flowers.
the dining area is just adjacent to the redone kitchen, making it an ideal site 12
Above: The dining area is just adjacent to the redone kitchen, making it an ideal site for dinner parties.
the kitchen itself is a high low mix: ikea cabinetry pairs with custom concrete 13
Above: The kitchen itself is a high-low mix: Ikea cabinetry pairs with custom concrete counters (made in Paris) and a brass backsplash from Paris metal shop Tartaix.
an oak display shelf adds to the bespoke look. 14
Above: An oak display shelf adds to the bespoke look.
outside, a pea gravel courtyard—surrounded by stone outbuildings, the re 15
Above: Outside, a pea-gravel courtyard—surrounded by stone outbuildings, the remains of an old farm—makes a quiet spot for dinner al fresco.
or an apertif. 16
Above: Or an apertif.

For a full look at the guest house, see Riverside House: A Normandy Guesthouse from an Upstart American Restaurateur.

And for more vacation rentals to visit (virtually or in person), see: