The elites of Philadelphia once traveled by horse to Brinton Lake in Delaware County for a suburban getaway, gathering for social hour in the community’s center. Through the years, additions were made to the center—and now it’s a home, owned by Mike and Lauren McGrath. The McGraths recently teamed up with Stoltzfus Design for a kitchen and mudroom renovation. “We really wanted more storage. Storage was tight the way it was configured,” says Mike. “This flows better, and it doubles our storage.”
The new mudroom off the kitchen was formerly a garage. The couple transformed it into an entry to the home.
The McGraths love to entertain, and their upgraded space serves this purpose. The new mudroom off the kitchen was formerly a garage. The couple transformed it into an entry to the home. Four lockers made of natural walnut line the entrance, offering a landing area for shoes and coats. A home office space is tucked to the side, and a wine and coffee bar keeps the drinks flowing during any gathering. The bar’s cast-iron sink was inherited from the Victorian home of Lauren’s aunt and uncle. “We’ve had it in our garage for three years because we knew we wanted to use it in this project,” Lauren says. “They don’t make sinks like that anymore.”
A wine and coffee bar keeps the drinks flowing during any gathering.
Guests enter through the brick archway into the stunning kitchen, decked out in neutral tones with natural walnut highlights. Cabinets extend to the ceiling, and a ladder rolls around the kitchen for access and convenience.
The tile flooring was something Lauren spotted on Instagram. “When our contractor told us no, we made it work,” says Lauren. Mike cut each tile by hand to ensure the kitchen’s French country aesthetic. Lauren cites the large hood and chicken wire as her favorite details. Mike is partial to the abundance of natural light. They both love the brick archway, which required contractors to slice bricks in half for the concept to work.
The tile flooring was something the owner spotted on Instagram. “When our contractor told us no, we made it work,” she says.
There are no kids in the picture just yet, so guests have speculated that the four lockers mean the couple is planning on two. “We could have four kids—who knows?” Lauren quips. “There’s no reason for the four. It’s just the way it worked out.”
Stoltzfus Design
1952 Pennytown Lane, East Earl, Pennsylvania, (717) 799-5290
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