Most kitchen renovations strive to erase the past, attacking dated elements with gusto.
But in this Dunkirk farmhouse, traditional style and values drove every reno decision.
Cooking grates are sturdy enough to support heavy cast-iron pans. A water source at the stove enables easy pot filling and transferring. The durable quartz countertop has its own section for kneading dough.
It’s the working farm of Jennifer and Andy Fendinger, who grow grapes that go to the Welch’s processing plant in nearby Westfield, N.Y. Despite having demanding full-time jobs at SUNY Erie and Rich Products, the couple maintains the farm, grows their own food and prepares most meals from scratch.
The goal is to be as self-sufficient as possible, says Jennifer. They can vegetables, fruit, jellies and jams to last through the winter, buying anything they can’t grow themselves at local farm stands. Last year they raised pigs and turkeys and canned the meat. Farm chickens provide eggs.
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It’s a dream that many people have, but don’t think they have the time for. Jennifer insists it’s not that complicated.
“You find time for what you like to do,” she says. “Some people like to go to Bills games every weekend, I like to prepare food. We don’t watch sitcoms—we watch YouTube on how to do different things and grow our skills.”
It only follows that their kitchen requires utmost functionality. For that, the Fendingers brought in designer Kendal Cavalieri, who made it as beautiful as it is purposeful. Rob Sek of North County Carpentry handled the build.
Custom Amish-made cabinets soar high above Jennifer’s 5-foot-2 frame to maximize storage, requiring a ladder to reach some essentials. Hardwood floors were replaced with luxury vinyl hickory-look planks, making it easy to clean and scratch-proof for the family dogs and cats. An adjacent mudroom was added, complete with a food dehydrator and freeze dryer. The family’s large cast-iron cookware collection—dating back to Andy’s grandmother and over 100 years old—is proudly hung on the wall, where it is accessed for daily use.
Five new windows replaced a much smaller bay window over the sink, opening to a glorious view of 27 acres of Concord grapevines on the property.
The house, built in 1826, has always been in Andy’s family. His mother lived here, overseeing the farm, into her 90s. Two years ago Andy and Jennifer took over and plan to pass the home and farm on to their own children.
For those reasons, the kitchen redesign needed to be simple and timeless.
“Normally people think resale value, but this is our forever home,” says Jennifer. “We’re not going to move again. I thought about things I would like and that would work for me.”
Around the room
Base cabinets: Natural quarter-sawn white oak, custom-made by Noah Raber of Chip off the Oak Block. Upper cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore Peale Green.
Countertop: Cambria “Charlestown” quartz
Sink: Kohler
Faucets/Pot Filler: Brizo
Cabinet pulls: Berenson
Backsplash: Dal Tile
