Dream Kitchens Discovered: The Palace Theatre Kitchen Tour
Dying for a new kitchen but not exactly sure Where to start? The Palace theatre kitchen tour can help.
Between cooking, eating and entertaining, much of our time at home is spent in the kitchen. Whether intentionally or not, the kitchen often becomes the center of a household, which is why remodeling the space can be so agonizing for homeowners.
With necessary lifestyle factors like space availability, kid-friendliness and cooking style to consider, deciding how to design your kitchen can be overwhelming. Not to mention that the task of how to balance functionality with aesthetics can be an intimidating challenge. No matter where you are in your design process, though, the annual Palace Theatre Kitchen Tour can be of some assistance – and it's for a good cause.
The eighth annual tour promises to provide design inspiration by offering a glimpse into six Bedford and Manchester homes, and most importantly, their kitchens. In addition, the tour serves as a fundraiser for Manchester's Palace Theatre, with proceeds going to the theatre's top-notch youth programs.
In fact, says the Palace Theatre's Kerri Christopher, fundraising efforts like the annual tour are integral to the theatre's success. Though it offers a well-rounded season of live events from large-scale musical productions to intimate performances and comedy shows, ticket sales are just a part of what makes the Palace Theatre tick.
"We only generate about 65 percent of operating costs [through ticket sales and performances]," Christopher explains. "We use fundraising to close the gap of about 35 percent."
In addition to finding general inspiration, the tour also offers homeowners a chance to survey the accomplishments of a number of talented local designers.
Bedford-based interior designer Lisa Muskat of LKM Design – whose work on a Riverwalk Way, Manchester, condo (pictured in this story) is featured on the tour – said the event is about more than just fundraising.
"I think so many people like to see what other people are doing, and what the inside of their homes look like," she said. "It's just fun."
Christopher adds that the tour also serves to increase the Palace's presence in the community.
"We reach an entirely different audience with the kitchen tour," she says. "We have a lot of attendees that come back every year, so people have a chance to see what's up-and-coming."
Kitchen Tour
June 3
Tour check-in is at Granite State Cabinetry (384 Rte. 101, Bedford) and runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon. After receiving a brochure and map at check-in, attendees may tour the homes in any order from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Since food will likely be on the mind, Baron's Major Brands will be hosting a lunch catered by O Steaks and Seafood from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The day will conclude with appetizers and a Martignetti wine tasting on the garden terrace of the Copper Door restaurant in Bedford from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets are $45 per person in advance and $50 on the day of the event. All proceeds go to benefit Palace Theatre youth programs.
Your Guide to the Tour Homes
Puritan Drive, Bedford
What's on the tour: Kitchen, dining room, family room and sunroom
Highlights to look for: The home features beautiful kitchen cabinets by Granite State Cabinetry as well as such high-tech accents as a home integration system and a television that turns into a mirror, both by Maverick Integration; appliances from Baron's Appliances; heated floors; and hidden outlets in the kitchen.
Settlers Court, Bedford
What's on the tour: First floor
Highlights to look for: The floor plan allows for an incredibly compact amount of square footage and a cook's kitchen with three islands.
Nathan Cutler Drive, Bedford
What's on the tour: First floor
Highlights to look for: Interior designer Emily Shakra has created a kitchen paradise with beautiful light fixtures, dramatic use of color and a mix of textures like granite, tile and specialty leather granite.
Willowbrook Court, Bedford
What's on the tour: First floor
Highlights to look for: Thanks to interior design by L. Newman Associates and Emily Shakra, the house boasts a coffered ceiling in the kitchen, Labordite granite with feldspar highlights from Finland, center island seating banquettes and subtle storage compartments.
Riverwalk Way, Manchester (Pictured below)
What's on the tour: Entire condo
Highlights to look for: Unique features like a custom color concrete floor, purple onyx countertops and gold leaf tile.
Coolidge Ave., Manchester
What's on the tour: The entire house
Highlights to look for: Elegant touches like tall baseboards, 1 3/4-inch-thick solid core doors on ball-bearing hinges and an exterior/interior stone wall in the added room on the back of the house.
