The winner of the 2018 Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur Kitchen is Kate Zimmerman Turpin, for her project Hunt Sunday House in Hunt, Texas.
The project was chosen as a finalist by guest judge Jenni Kayne, who says: “I love the contrast of white and wood in this kitchen.”
N.B.: This is the fourth of six posts spotlighting the winners of the 2018 Remodelista Considered Design Awards. Go to this year’s Considered Design Awards page to see all the entries, finalists, and winners, and have a look at Gardenista’s Considered Design Awards.
Photography by Kate Zimmerman Turpin.
Kate Zimmerman Turpin’s Design Statement: “This is a guest house my husband and I designed on my family’s property in the Texas Hill country. We wanted the house to fade into the Hill Country landscape, so we kept the design simple, soft, and natural.”
Remodelista: Where do you live?
Kate Zimmerman Turpin: I live in Austin, Texas, but this project is on our family property in the Hill Country in a small town called Hunt. It’s a guesthouse to my family’s home, sitting atop a hill and facing south. The ground there is covered in tall, golden grass and the house is surrounded by oak and cedar trees. The deer love it, and we love them.
RM: What were your practical goals for the project?
KZT: My husband and I designed the guesthouse as a retreat for family and friends—a place to be still and rest. We wanted tons of natural light and to feature views of the surrounding nature. We wanted to bring the outside in, so to speak. We complemented the scenery by using earthy, natural tones and minimal but warm furniture.
RM: What solutions did you find to your design problems?
KZT: The budget was always tight, so when it came to the kitchen we decided to save on cabinetry and go with completely open shelving topped with white concrete countertops. It helps guests find what they need without searching too hard and highlights the pottery we love.
RM: What are your favorite features of the project?
KZT: I love the thick ledge on the white concrete countertops. My husband thought of this and I love using it as a space to lean art, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils. I was also surprised to find how much I love the wood cabinets. I went back and forth on painting them white or keeping them natural wood, and I love how they help warm up the space.
RM: What advice do you have for someone else undertaking a similar project?
KZT: When in doubt, less is more. Go the simple route!
RM: What was your biggest splurge?
KZT: The steel door from Atelier Domingue. It’s a statement piece I just had to have and it adds a level of sophistication.
RM: Where did you cut corners?
KZT: We had originally wanted to use adobe brick to build the house because we loved the idea of thick organic walls and an energy-efficient build, but the soil in Hunt just wouldn’t allow it. We mimicked the look with 12-inch-thick walls, which made it possible to add double the amount of insulation, so it is a bit more energy-efficient than normal, and we got the thick walls we wanted!
RM: What projects would you tackle if you had an unlimited budget?
KZT: My dream project would be to restore and update a historic colonial home in Oaxaca or San Miguel de Allende. I would just die to work with those thick plaster walls!
RM: What is your day job?
KZT: I’m a photographer! I love photographing spaces, styling products, and working on commercial projects. I also shoot film and make fine art prints in my darkroom.
RM: Where do you get your design inspiration?
KZT: Travel! Mexico, Spain, and Japan are my favorite places to get inspiration from. When I am looking at inspiration online, I often find that I’m looking at houses built in those countries.
RM: Which architects or designers do you admire?
KZT: Lake Flato, Axel Vervoordt, Nicolas Schuybroek, and Nicole Cohen.
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