Call it what you will—the center, the heart, the hub of the home—the kitchen is undoubtedly everyone’s favorite space to gather.

Leslie Martin and Kim Meardon designed the kitchen and sitting room of this year’s Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens keeping modern life in mind without sacrificing style. The sisters and co-principals of M and M Interior Design did double-duty creating a deluxe workspace (with all the amenities) as well as a stylish spot for relaxing. We were excited to spy some PAGODA RED blue and white vessels in their final design—further proof that classics (especially those dating back to 1900) never fall out of fashion. We asked Leslie Martin why they work so well.

PR: Tell us about your vision for the kitchen and PAGODA RED accessories. Usually the kitchen is a functional space but you’ve made it so decorative and layered, how did you achieve that?

LM: Thank you! We truly wanted the kitchen to feel like it was a working kitchen, like real people lived, ate and laughed there. The kitchen is where everyone spends the most time so why not fill it with objects you love? Antique copper pots from France are a clue that great food is made in that kitchen. Table lamps on the counter are unexpected and add a nice layered touch. A perfectly worn Persian runner warms up the floors. And of course, blue and white is so classic and timeless, making it the focal point of the kitchen’s display cabinets just made sense.

PR: Why were you drawn to the PAGODA RED pieces that you selected for your room?

LM: The incredible magic of blue and white is: how well it works with different design styles and color pallets. We shared the double sided display cabinets with the breakfast room (which we were not designing) so knowing whatever we chose had to compliment both spaces; a collection of stunning blue and white porcelain was the clear choice. Blue and white is one of those things that just gets better with quantity so having a substantial collection of various designs and sizes was the statement we needed to fill that large bank of cabinets.

PR: In your design you had Pagoda vessels and jars showcased throughout both the sitting and living room. How do you create continuity between the spaces in the home?

LM: From modern to traditional, almost every room has a blue and white opportunity. As fantastic as it is to have a large grouping, blue and white works just as well scattered throughout your space. These pieces tell a story and when used repetitively, you get the sense that a home is full of treasured items. We are true believers that a home should feel collected not decorated—blue and white helps accomplish that. Again the magical versatility of these pieces!

BLUE AND WHITE

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