Past Kitchen Tours:

We would like to thank the homeowners, sponsors, and advertisers for their involvement with the 2008 Wellesley Kitchen Tour.  The 2008 tour was a great success with over 600 people attending.

Click here for the Wellesley Townsman article featuring the 2008 Tour.

All proceeds from the Kitchen Tour, along with those from our other fundraisers, allowed WHJWC to donate over $195,000 last year to organizations we support and to scholarships given to deserving individuals.  Thank you!

Allen Road  The owners of this traditional, 1930 center-entrance colonial purchased and renovated their new home in 2007, enamored by its period details, and with their family’s future needs in mind.  Keen on preserving the essence of the home and its era, yet wishing to modernize it to practically house their family of seven, the homeowners have succeeded in marrying form and function.   Bright, light and airy, the kitchen/family room area was opened up and expanded during the renovation.  The soft tones of sand-colored granite, almond-colored cabinets, and tan walls create a beachy ambiance.  During the renovation, the homeowners discovered that the original high ceilings had been dropped, and they restored them to their original height.  This gave the cabinet-maker quite a job in creating the dramatic flush-mounted cabinets.  The homeowners, who love to entertain, know that all parties end up gathered around the kitchen island, so they designed it with that fact in mind, making it oversized, with plenty of seating.  Around the corner is the fantastic butler’s pantry, with plenty of storage space for extra food, dishes and beverages.  The original swinging door to the dining room was retained.   With an eye to their growing family’s future, the homeowners have succeeded in creating a beautiful, practical and functional home in which they can welcome family and friends. With another eye to the past, they have remained true to the original design of the home, by preserving myriad charming, period details that give the home its unique character.  This is truly a home for the ages.

Albion Road The current Homeowner’s moved into their home in 2005 and began Kitchen renovations in late 2006.  Their goals in the renovation were to create a more comfortable, open and chef-friendly kitchen.    The Kitchen is complemented by a large island centered in the space.  Previously, the island was a dumping ground for backpacks, etc. until a clever solution of a deep drawer/storage locker for the Children was installed.  There is a cabinet in the Island for the children’s snacks  and a drink drawer as well.   There is no lack of counter space in this kitchen and a wine cooler is housed in another cabinet in the corner with more storage in the cabinets above.   The Homeowner is an accomplished cook and designed the kitchen with the kitchen designer.  He poured over plans and every decision – a real labor of love.  Sounds like a Renaissance man!!   The entry into the Family Room was widened to open up the space and provide better flow.   This is the perfect room for enjoying the Red Sox (the doorway from the kitchen was actually designed to afford a view to the game from every seat at the kitchen table!)   The bookshelves reflect a love of reading and baseball shared by the family.  They showcase great and beloved Red Sox Memorabilia.   Go Sox!

Hundreds Road Built in 2006, this shingled center-entrance Colonial was purchased, partially renovated, and completely redecorated by the current owners in 2007   The large, sunny kitchen was completely renovated by the homeowners last year.  The muted color scheme of the kitchen creates a clean, open, welcoming effect.  The countertops are Calcutta Gold marble, and the backsplash and beamed ceiling are white painted beadboard.  The cabinets are painted white, with brushed nickel pulls and knobs.  The mahogany center island anchors the room, with seating for three and an extra sink.  Behind the six-burner range is a beautiful tiled backsplash that echoes the color of the marble countertop while adding dimension through its sheen.  The narrow cabinets around the edges of the oven area house spices, canned goods, and other necessities, conveniently and unobtrusively.  Around the corner is a large, useful pantry, with an extra dishwasher and plenty of storage space for china, appliances, or food.    With practical living space, elegant entertaining areas, and overall quiet beauty, this home is truly magnificent, with the most discriminating taste and attention evident in every detail.

Albion Road      This stately 1950’s Colonial has had many renovations over the years to represent the changing needs of its owners.  A young and energetic family, including three young children inhabit this home and as large at it is, the home has a warm and welcoming feel from your first steps in.   The kitchen as in so many homes is truly the heart of this home.  There is a round table that seats six for family style dining where the family takes most of their meals.  To the right is a breakfast bar with Black Marinace granite reminiscent of the rocks in a Montana riverbed.   Counterspace abounds and what cook wouldn’t want a six burner Wolfe oven in the center?   The extensive cabinetry in cherry wood infuses the space with a natural wood feel.  The earth tone tiles selected for the kitchen were chosen both for their western sandstone look as well as its functionality.    The floors are a mixture of original hardwood and new tile. The tile in the mudroom and the tile for the back splash in iridescent tones were chosen for its reflective qualities of natural light.  The large pantry off the kitchen is an area with special attention paid to the pets of this home (three dogs, two turtles …) right down to the “turtle” cabinet pulls.

Pine Plain Road This home was purchased in 2006 as a new construction spec house.  The Homeowner’s goal was to customize the space to their taste and lifestyle and essentially “cozy up” the existing large 16x37 with 9.5 foot ceilings kitchen-family room.    In the Homeowner’s own words the kitchen is “where life is at”, everything is “here”.  The Homeowner’s replaced the existing island and replaced it with a French Country inspired design.  The kitchen island was designed to look like a French Country breakfast table.  The goal was to build an island that housed a wine cooler, an oven, and bookshelves while allowing space for casual family dining and homework!  The top was built of end grain maple to pick up on the coloration in the existing cabinets.  Keeping with the French country inspiration, the island was painted a warm blue and the interior cabinets given a custom antique cream paint treatment.  The kitchen and family room were then pulled together by creating a large soffit and molding detail that runs seamlessly throughout both spaces.  The fireplace was given a more significant top above the mantle to allow for a painting or mirror.  The windows were dressed with kick pleat valances and bamboo shades picking up on the putty wall color and warm blue of the island.  The plasma TV was integrated into a wall of bookshelves that steps back and down to corner window seats that open to reveal storage space.  All furnishings and cabinetry were custom built on site.   Cozy up, Indeed!

Tennyson Road The owners of this 1927 Colonial designed their 2006 renovation to accommodate two priorities: practical family living and gracious entertaining.  They strove to preserve the character of the original home, while expanding and modernizing the living spaces. The sunny, large kitchen area, the owners’ focus on comfortable family living becomes apparent. The centerpiece of the kitchen, the oversized cherry island, contains a sink designated for washing the produce stored in the two refrigerated drawers below it.  Four ebony caned-back counter stools make it easy to sit down for a quick snack, and the cut-crystal globes above the island reflect the room’s ample sunlight.  A large window bay houses the owners’ fresh herb garden.  Also reflecting light are the unusual blue-flecked granite countertops.  The cream- and mocha-colored tile backsplash and painted cabinetry create a calm, cohesive look in the kitchen.  Even the flooring imparts warmth, through radiant heating – wonderful on cold winter mornings.   With its thoughtful balance between formal and informal space, this home is warm, welcoming and practical for both its family residents as well as the most discerning of guests.