RSVP Room View

Drs. Chuck and Melanie Woodall are Ole Miss fans even though they live less than a block from the University of Memphis campus. In fact, if not for a substantial tree break, they could see the campus library from their kitchen windows over a casual breakfast or amidst a festive gathering.     

For their kitchen, which was added to the house during a substantial renovation in 2008, they chose a soft, French country look with ivory-colored cabinetry, dark granite and copper appointments. Furniture fabrics and artwork in shades of rust, sage, gold and tan accentuate the natural warmth of the room and a welcoming flow via a receiving room with wet bar and a sitting area with a limestone mantel.     

Their team of designers included architect John Pruett, kitchen designer Karen Kassen of Kitchens Unlimited and interior designer Hardy Todd.

RSVP: Were you looking to have the house be more open and airy than before?

Chuck: We’re involved in a lot of different things here in town, and we entertain a lot. Melanie’s a fabulous cook and so she’ll do huge dinner parties, and these days everyone wants to hang out in your kitchen. So [in our old kitchen], here were all these people, and you had to excuse yourself to open the oven door.

RSVP: Did you want the island to be the focal point of the kitchen or did it just happen that way?

Chuck: Yes. We had about 30 people over for Christmas Eve. Melanie made shrimp and grits, and I made red beans and rice. We had it all laid out. Dessert was on one side of the island, and everyone could help themselves. But, for the three of us, if our son is home, [the breakfast table end] is a cozy spot for us to eat.

RSVP: It’s a smoky brown and copper granite isn’t it?

Chuck: It’s called “Macarena,” a Brazilian brand of granite. Karen and Melanie selected it for the colors, and we carried that into the bar area with the same granite. We liked those colors, and Hardy picked copper for the backing [behind the stove] because you have to have something inflammable. It will gradually have its own patina.

RSVP: What kind of storage needs did you have for the kitchen?

Melanie: I have several sets of dishes and lots of trays and platters to pull out for parties, so every cabinet is full. I filled it up quicker than I thought I would. I could really use more.

RSVP: Are there any hidden features?

Chuck: Karen had wanted to put a warming drawer in [under the island], so we did, which is great. Then, Melanie said, “I sure wish I had a second one,” so we called Karen back and she said, “The drawer adjacent to it has the electricity right there—I had it all designed, but I had to convince you to get the first one.” She figured we’d eventually want two, and we did.

RSVP: You put your bar just around the corner. Was that to make a receiving area?

Chuck: The idea is this is the primary open area. As people come in, it’s right there. It’s so natural to walk right in. Once, Melanie put all the hors d’oeuvres in the living room [right next to the front door] and everyone walked right past it into [the bar].

RSVP: But you put the dining room across the hall?

Chuck: We wanted to maintain the fireplace [in the sitting area], but there was no way we could easily get the size of the kitchen and dining room we wanted without taking out the fireplace. And, we do use it. In some ways it’s been better this way because if we’re all in the dining room having a catered dinner, then you’re not in the middle of all the mess.