Cate Gutter designs a cozy kitchen nook that maximizes storage and stands up to life’s messy moments.
by Cathy Martin | photographs by Baxter Miller
After renovating seven homes in three states, there aren’t many problems Stephanie Nicholson can’t solve. Since moving into a two-story colonial in Cotswold a few years ago, the founder of lifestyle blog Olive & Tate had already reconfigured the family room and primary suite, renovated the bathrooms, and remodeled the outdoor living areas.
“Even with all of the projects under our belts, sometimes a space just needs a professional eye, and this kitchen nook was one,” Nicholson says. The high-traffic area serves as a gathering spot and dining area for the family, but the room’s unconventional shape proved challenging
Recognizing Cate Gutter’s talent for blending function and style, Nicholson tapped the Charlotte interior designer to tackle the project. “I knew exactly what I wanted it to be but needed to bring in CWG Design to bring it to life.”
The family needed a space “that could do it all,” says Gutter, owner and principal designer of CWG Design. “They needed a homework station for the kids, a casual dining area and a cozy nook for family hangouts. It also had to be a place that could handle the daily hustle and bustle of family life — think spaghetti spills and homework messes.”
Custom wood cabinetry crafted by Maple Hill Woodworks adds clever-but-stylish storage, accented by a patterned wallpaper from Schumacher. Kravet performance vinyl on the banquette is tough enough to handle spills, messy art projects and more. The lighting fixtures are from Visual Comfort and West Elm.
Nicholson wanted the space to be stylish, comfortable and practical while blending seamlessly with the kitchen and providing much-needed storage. Gutter, who started her design firm in 2020, answered with a custom banquette and built-ins, selecting finishes that were sophisticated, durable and cozy.
“The last thing we wanted was for the room to feel like it was full of cabinets or overcrowded with furniture,” Gutter says. “We had to be really thoughtful about how we balanced form and function.” For the banquette, Gutter chose a stained wood base and a performance vinyl from Kravet that mimics the look and feel of leather.
“For the table, we went with solid wood and a matte finish, giving it a timeless, warm vibe while making sure it could easily handle everything from family meals to craft projects,” Gutter says. A sky blue-and-white fern-print wallpaper from Schumacher and a durable indoor-outdoor rug tie the look together.
“The key was finding smart design solutions that made the most of the space’s potential,” Gutter adds. “It was a tough puzzle to solve, but the result is a room that’s not only functional for family meals, homework and TV time but also feels open, inviting and beautifully cohesive with the rest of the home.” SP
Featured image: Stephanie Nicholson found the farmhouse painting at a flea market in South Carolina and had it framed by Framebridge.
