This Nashville Kitchen Is Perfect for Holiday Entertaining
With a soaring 22-foot ceiling and warm antique touches, it’s no surprise this is where everyone wants to congregate.
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When Katy Varney and her husband, Dave Goetz, began renovating Dave’s childhood Nashville home, their love of cooking and entertaining influenced every aspect of the kitchen, which was opened and brightened up with two shades of white (White Down by Benjamin Moore on walls, Delicate White by PPG Paints on cabinetry). Architect Michael Marchetti designed a 22-foot pitched and planked ceiling to add height to the room, as well as let in more light from the gable window.
Grounding the airy space is a generous 13-by-4-foot Montclair Danby marble-topped island (painted Dark Pewter by Benjamin Moore) that offers ample prep space, separates work areas for cooking and cleanup, and serves as a spot for casual grazing or dining. It's topped with statement dark bronze-finished lanterns by Hudson Valley Lighting. In keeping with the house’s historic character, the new white oak floorboards were stained a warm tone to take on an antique look. Keep reading below to find out about all the design details.
(Looking for even more kitchen inspiration? Check out our favorite white kitchens. And, get even more holiday decorating ideas from these other beautiful kitchens all decked out for holidays.)
Range Wall
From the black granite countertops to the custom range hood and iron pot rack, the couple opted for design details that are functional and timeless. Jugs from Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., founded by Dave’s great-grandfather and home to George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, have pride of place on the counter.
Get the Look:
Gas Range by Wolf
#1145 Cabinet Pulls by Ashley Norton
Manuscript Sconces by Currey and Company
Wreaths by Lynch Creek Farm
Sink Wall
A dishwasher-adjacent sink, flanked by cabinets customized to hold tableware, makes post-party put-aways a cinch.
Get the Look:
#1145 Cabinet Pulls by Ashley Norton
Manuscript Sconces by Currey and Company
Greenery by Lynch Creek Farm
Pantries
Four small pantries serve as the kitchen's endcaps. Windows are sandblasted with “Sweets,” “Savories,” “Sundries,” and “Secrets,” which is “where I keep my recipes,” Katy says.
Breakfast Room
Designer Barbara Rushton crowned the table (in Katy’s family since the 1800s) with a scrolly chandelier. The hand-built hutch houses Christmas china. “In December, we exclusively use holidayware,” says Katy.
Heirloom Recipes
Dave’s mother was co-owner of Warrenton Old English Plum Pudding in Tennessee. The dish is a family tradition that is served every year in the same special bowls. Katy keeps the bowls on display throughout the season on the Montclair Danby marble topped island's baker's table.
"Nashattan" Cocktail
As a descendent of Maclin Hezekiah Davis, the founder of Tennessee’s Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. and its George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, Dave knows a few things about whiskey. It's only fitting that his signature cocktail is a Nashville take on the classic Manhattan, the "Nashattan."
Get the recipe for the Best "Nashattan" Aged Manhattan Cocktail.
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