“I didn’t want it to look like a bunch of mass-produced cabinets—I wanted it to look like an old-fashioned kitchen. The white kitchen island is rough-hewn to resemble an old free-standing piece of furniture.”
-Melanie Rummel, homeowner
Melanie Rummel of Lake Forest, IL spent her childhood summers rambling around her grandfather’s place on Lake Katherine in Hazelhurst. Yearning to create a similar experience for her own family of that grand era in the Northwoods, Melanie called on local and regional craftsmen to help build her dream home.
Swita Cabinetry was selected as the cabinetmaker of this exciting project for our ability to design and build just about any form of cabinetry. Our goal was to make every cabinet and countertop of the 5,875-square-foot house reflect the rustic Adirondack style that Melanie fell in love with long ago.
Project Manager Steve Stehr said Pete Swita of Swita Cabinetry was selected for his hands-on reputation. “Pete gets very involved in his projects from start to finish. I knew he’d be the kind of guy who could grasp the overall concept and build a rustic kitchen that incorporated nature in an interesting way,” said Steve.
Starting with the kitchen, Melanie wanted it to portray the passing of time, as if pieces were added gradually. The distressed island shows layers of paint with a wooden slab top. The perimeter of cabinets is wormy maple with chiseled frames and supports honed granite countertops. A hand-forged pot rack hangs above the island with cook-ready cast iron skillets as found in busy camp kitchens. Deer antler knobs and pulls on doors and drawers, and massive elk horn refrigerator pulls, add to the room’s distinct character.
Nearby the kitchen is the butler’s pantry, the most formal room, where Melanie displays her fine china. Evoking sophistication are creamy white cabinets, glass doors and copper stamped ceiling tiles.
Every room in the six-bedroom house was designed with custom details to reflect the Rummel’s lifestyle. To learn more about their home, read the feature in the current issue of Lakeshore Living Magazine.
WHERE TO GET MORE CABINETRY IDEAS FOR YOUR DREAM HOME
Visit our Facebook page @switacabinetry or sit down with us at our showroom in Mosinee.
Call 715-693-2670 or email karla@switacabinetry.com.
BY KARLA SWITA
Karla is married to Pete and together they own and operate Swita Cabinetry.