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Community Kitchen of the Month October
The perfect blend of design and functionality in a modern country style.
The Community Kitchen of the Month October is awarded to Carol and Patrick from home_diary_no.26. On her Instagram account, Carol shares everything about their self-designed home. The highlight is their Nolte kitchen in a modern country style, featuring dark fronts, golden handles, and a light worktop – the perfect mix of design and functionality. „Our kitchen is the heart of the home, a place for friends, family, and wonderful memories,“ says Carol, whose style is inspired by American New England and English country design.
1. Please introduce yourself briefly and tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Carol, I am 33 years old and a dentist. My husband is Patrick, 32 years old,
and works as a pilot. We both love traveling, especially to
Mallorca, which we consider our second home.
You are active on Instagram. What makes your account special and what do you share there?
I (Carol) manage our Instagram page @home_diary_no.26. I have been
sharing our journey since we bought our plot of land, documenting
the construction process and providing interior design inspiration. I also
post occasional vacation stories and pictures.
Tell us more about your home. You built it in 2023/24. Is everything finished now and are you satisfied?
We bought a plot near Bremen in November 2022 and started building
in May 2023. After a rather bumpy construction phase, we were finally
able to move in May 2024. Of course, there were still many things to be
done. By now, most of it is finished, except for a few minor details.
In spring, we will tackle our big garden project.
How would you describe your interior design style?
I would say it’s a mix of New England and English Country. We love combining
modern furniture with unique antique pieces. Creating a cozy atmosphere
is very important to us, with bright spaces and subtle color accents.
Does your personality reflect in your home decor?
Absolutely.
What inspired you to choose this interior style?
We both love America. That’s why it was clear from the beginning
that our house would have an American style. Since my husband's
parents are architects, we designed the house entirely on our own.
We see that your interior is perfectly coordinated. How important is a harmonious overall look to you?
The overall look is very important to us. We put a lot of thought into
which elements in each room contribute to a harmonious appearance.
Did you design your kitchen yourself or have it planned?
We designed our kitchen completely on our own. I think that’s why it was so difficult at first to find exactly what we had in mind. Most kitchen studios didn’t convince us.
What was the most fun part of the planning process?
Nolte Kitchens offers a wide variety of different fronts. We really wanted a dark gray kitchen, not black, and in a modern country style. It was great to be able to see everything in the showroom and compare the materials directly.
Were there any challenges in planning or implementing the kitchen?
The glass cabinets. Our kitchen consultant did an amazing job—since our kitchen series didn’t have beautiful glass doors, he simply combined two series, and the result is perfect.
You chose a kitchen with dark country-style fronts and a light countertop. What do you like most about it?
We love the contrast. We also have a white marble floor, so the dark fronts fit perfectly.
Your golden handles are a real eye-catcher. Would you consider them a design highlight in your kitchen?
Yes, the handles enhance the kitchen significantly. They also fit perfectly into the overall style of our home, as we have brass accents everywhere, like door handles and bathroom fixtures.
What is the most important function in your kitchen?
That everything important is easily accessible.
What were three must-have features in your kitchen?
First, the kitchen island, because it provides so much space. Then the glass cabinets, so it doesn’t look too packed. And finally, the two ovens, because we often have guests and can prepare everything at the same time.
Did you prioritize practicality or design in your everyday kitchen use?
Both! The design was very important to us, which is why we searched for a long time to find the perfect kitchen. Nolte delivered exactly what we wanted. At the same time, we also wanted enough space to cook comfortably and store everything within reach.
Is the interior design as important to you as the exterior look?
The aesthetics were more important to us, so we had to compromise a bit on drawer sizes.
What memories or experiences do you particularly associate with your kitchen?
When family and friends are over, we basically only sit in the kitchen with the adjoining dining area. Our large round dining table is also perfect for a fun
game night.
Would you plan your kitchen the same way again, or would you change something? If so, what?
Yes, I would plan it the same way again. I find the layout super practical, there is a lot of space, and the kitchen looks really stylish. However, we would choose a
different fridge.
What are your top three household tips?
- A lot of storage space. We have two extra rooms: one technical room, where the heating system, washing machine, and dryer are, along with jackets and shoes. Then a room with a second kitchen unit and tall cupboards for cleaning supplies and food, as well as a second large fridge. This makes tidying up much easier when everything has its place.
- Decluttering. I regularly go through my wardrobe and decorations to get rid of unnecessary stuff that takes up space.
- It's okay if things are not always perfectly tidy. After all, we live here, it's not a furniture store :)
On Instagram, you say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Why is that for you, and what does life in the kitchen mean to you?
We both love cooking and baking. That’s why we enjoy inviting family and friends over. It was very important to me that we have chairs at the kitchen island so that people can sit down while we cook.
What is your favorite place in your home and why?
I love our kitchen and the fireplace room. When guests are over, everything happens in the open kitchen and dining area. Thanks to the large patio doors, we can easily step out from the kitchen/dining room onto the terrace in summer. The fireplace room is perfect for cozy afternoons and evenings.
