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by Chrysa Smith
“The kitchen is always a cool spot in a home,” says Ladislav Kotoulek. Ask any builder or interior designer and they’ll be in complete agreement. They’ll also tell you it’s probably the best value for home improvement. And ask Ladislav and he’ll tell you that’s exactly why he and his wife Sonja decided to design and build a 680 square foot addition onto their Tinicum home.
Ladislav knows of what he speaks. As owner of Slate Building & Hardscaping, he’s spent the last 15 years remodeling and building custom kitchens, bathrooms, basements. I’d call him a regional builder, working on homes in the southeastern part of the state as well as down the shore, but his influence comes from far more distant lands.
“My grandfather was in the industry in Europe,’ he says. ‘I always had an urge to do something with homes.’ Ladislav was born in Slovakia, came here, finished school and worked for a couple of builders. So, when he travels back to Europe, he keeps an eye out for interesting architectural touches, which influence his designs. They tend toward classic and timeless. And so, when he moved from Montgomery County to a horse farm in Tinicum, the wheels began to turn.
In the home, he says the existing kitchen was way too small with ceilings that were way too low. It’s something farmhouse owners are all too familiar with. So, in late ‘21, he purchased the house, and he and his wife began churning around the idea of a kitchen addition. By spring, he had all the permits pulled. And by July, the house was built.
Sonja talks about their dream. “Designing our farmhouse kitchen with my husband and two children was an incredible experience I’ll never forget. I knew I wanted this space to accommodate many. I wanted our children to gravitate to this space to have family dinners and to learn to cook. I wanted my family to wake up to the smell of bacon, farm fresh eggs on the stove, and freshly baked muffins and cookies from the oven. I wanted our friends to fill this space with their laughter and good humor. I wanted my husband and I to have a quiet dinner together with romantic music playing in the background. I wanted the farmhouse dream.”
They got it. Neutral colors that stand the test of time were chosen. So were white, shaker-style cabinets with matte, black hardware as the anchor for this kitchen. They are topped off with quartz countertops in marbled white/gray for a clean, bright look. A long 12-foot island gives way to a cutting board which provides both practical space for food preparation and adds another wood feature that coordinates with the wood in the floor. The island itself has very clean lines and a massive area for preparing meals or sitting around with some friends, enjoying a favorite beverage, and the view of the farm through the airy windows.
A Viking refrigerator is flanked by other stainless Wolf appliances, including the stove. “I have used both appliance brands as a builder before this selection was made—extremely simple,” according to Ladislav. “Their resale value, look and high-end quality was a must for this custom kitchen.” Sonja says, Once the kitchen was designed, it was time to hunt for my most favorite kitchen décor,” Sonja adds. “I immediately fell in love with McKenzie Child’s Courtly Check line. Wow, I love how the red pops with the black and white checkered pattern. I never tire of seeing these colors and patterns.” It coordinates nicely with the other red accessories in the room, adding a little pop of color. But perhaps the thing that gives this home an over-the-top ‘wow’ factor is not just the beautiful choices in appointments, but the space itself. Authentic shiplap lines the walls and ceiling, providing even more brightness and an authentic farmhouse feel. “Flat craftsman style crown molding with easy lines adds to the simple yet tasteful look,” Ladislav says. Vaulted ceilings with skylights make the space feel voluminous, while two wooden beams captured from a 1780s Riegelsville barn add interest and a touch of authenticity. All is grounded by wide-plank hardwood floors that run throughout the home. And the piece de resistance? A gray stacked stone accent on the highest wall. “It serves as a fantastic backdrop and compliment to the white feel of the kitchen,” he says. “We believe stone and wood is a must for any farmhouse project.”
The “we” he is referring to would be his three full-time employees responsible for the construction phases, and a team of trusted sub-contractors who make it all come together. “I am super involved in all customer-facing roles, including client meetings, proposals, managing vendors, sales, marketing, and ultimate responsibility for the entire project.” Being in the industry for over 15 years, there is a vast understanding of all phases of construction,” Ladislav says, “It enables us to keep the styles of every home we touch a piece of art.” For this project, he worked with Architect Richard Kapusta. He believes this professional delivers superb products. And that’s important for time and budget, so permit requirements are approved easily. Also, a large part of the projects was Sonja’s input. Ladislav says she created function, which they had in their previous house before moving to Bucks County. According to Sonja, “As my husband and I designed this project together, we spent many days and nights, imagining what we wanted. We would bounce ideas off of each other and suddenly better ideas would sprout. For example, the placement and amount of the windows was a must for me. I suppose someone else could have chosen to have filled the walls with cabinets but it was extremely important to me to have all the windows, including the skylights. I wanted to see nature. I wanted to see my horses grazing in the green pastures. I wanted to spy on the deer, fox, hawks, and every wild animal that would make their appearance. I didn’t want to miss any beautiful creatures’ visit. I wanted to create the feeling that when you walk into the kitchen, nature jumps out at you. And wow, when you see the morning sun shine through the windows, your soul feels uplifted.”
They kept the integrity of their farmhouse, while integrating a brightness that’s often missing in these older homes. “A key element of the design was bringing as much natural light into the structure as possible,” Ladislav says. “We currently have seven large, single windows with one eight-foot kitchen sink window.” He agrees the skylights usher in sunlight and a view of starry nights. “One hundred percent of the views and orientation of the kitchen addition were carefully considered to have light/sun coming in throughout the day. We see the beautiful sunrise and sunsets right from the kitchen,” he adds, and says a Southeast orientation is key. This makes Ladislav and Sonja’s kitchen full of light, life, and luxury, and that makes it cool indeed.
Slate Building & Hardscaping is located at 395 Hollow Horn, Pipersville, PA. To contact Ladislav Kotoulek, call 484-716-9194 or email slatebuilder@gmail.com.
Chrysa Smith is a contributor to the magazine, with a keen interest in all things home.