Steal This Look: An Antique Dealer’s DIY Kitchen, Painted Checkerboard Floor Included

Earlier this year, Margot wrote about the charming home of antiques dealer Jonathan Burden and costume designer JJ Joseph (see Farmhouse Refresh: A Clean and Simple Family Retreat on Shelter Island). The couple had chosen to buy the old, scrappy farmhouse because nothing had been done to it—“so we didn’t have to redo bad things,” Jonathan told Margot. Instead of renovating it, they revived it, respectfully straightening its bones and polishing its surfaces. The TLC they gave to the house is evident in every room—including the kitchen.

“The kitchen is located in a long-ago converted chicken coop, which the Burdens refreshed with understated components: a farmhouse sink, cherry counter with skirted storage underneath, and open shelving in the unused space next to the fridge,” wrote Margot. Jonathan worked alongside a local carpenter in every room, and even painted the checkerboard flooring himself.

Here’s everything you need to get the look of this characterful space, borne of the DIY spirit:

Featured image by Dana Gallagher, styling by Hilary Robertson.