Farmhouse Flair

            When Russ and Judy Johnson moved off the lake and into the Franklin County countryside three years ago, they knew it was only a matter of time before they renovated the kitchen of their new home.

            With worn cabinets, dated appliances and tile countertops that had become dingy and un-level, the space just wasn’t working for the couple, former owners of the Blackwater Café.

            “We entertain a lot with our group of friends and usually everyone brings an item to contribute,” Judy Johnson said. “A lot of times there are dishes that need to be finished when they get here, and our kitchen was just not conducive to doing that. I wanted a kitchen I could be proud of.”

            In August 2009, after two years of planning, the Johnsons embarked on a renovation of the heart of their farmhouse-style home, which is situated on pastoral land they share with three horses, three goats, eight chickens, two dogs, two cats and various koi in the adjacent pond.

            Blair Graninger, owner of Kitchens by Connie at Westlake Towne Center, was hired to oversee the project.

            “Before, it was a typical ’80s kitchen with pickled maple cabinetry,” said Graninger, a 23-year veteran of the building industry. “It was an efficient layout, but it didn’t make best use of the space.

            “The new kitchen is gorgeous and very efficient. We made use of every inch of space we could, and it was modified in a way that gave them the best bang for the buck.”

            The remodeled kitchen features Shrock maple cabinets with a moss-colored glazed finish. The cook top was moved from the island to the east-facing wall, creating a much larger work surface. The new island, constructed of Decora cherry cabinets with a suede finish, measures 3-by-6 feet and is designed to look like a piece of furniture.

            “It’s great for buffet situations and when we have a lot of friends and family over,” said Johnson, noting that her favorite part of the renovation was making a trip to North Carolina with Graninger to choose granite for the countertops.

            “We went down every aisle, and on the last one there was a slab of granite that looked like a work of art,” Johnson said.

            Tones of rust, gold, black and brown weave through the granite, named “Vyara Gold.” Cabinet door handles as well as new light fixtures in the kitchen and adjoining dining room are finished in a complimentary oil-rubbed bronze.

            All-new GE Profile stainless steel appliances were installed, including a convection oven/microwave combination. The only non-electric appliance is the cook top, which is a gas model from Wolf.

            Russ Johnson, who represents the Gills Creek District on Franklin County’s Board of Supervisors, said his favorite feature in the new kitchen is the refrigerator, which has a bottom freezer and doors on the top that open French-style. The configuration allows the couple to fit wide items, such as party trays, easily in the fridge.

            “You know what else works well that I thought was a gimmick,” he said, “is the drawers that pull back on their own. That’s really nice.”

            The new farm-style sink also fits the décor of the home, which was built in 1997 by long-time lake developer Jim McKelvey.

            Russ Johnson said the most challenging part of the three-week renovation was figuring out how to accommodate a beam in the ceiling that separates the kitchen from the dining room. Precise cuts had to be made in the upper parts of the cabinets and moldings.

            “That took some skill,” he said.

            Judy Johnson said a few lingering projects need to be wrapped up before the renovation is complete.

            “We’re still having trouble deciding on a backsplash,” she said. “We also need to refinish the floors and then install the final molding. We’re close.”

            Graninger described the renovation as one of the more exciting she has coordinated because the Johnsons put so much planning into it. The result is a functional kitchen that better fits with the overall decor of the house.

            “I think it’s stunning,” she said. “I’m very pleased with it.”