For Montana designer Jeremiah Young, not any generic appliance would do for the historic kitchen restoration of his design studio. It had to be American-crafted Heartland appliances.
Timeless Kitchen Design in America’s Heartland
On the hunt for a new studio workspace for his Kibler & Kirch design firm, Jeremiah Young set his sights on the looming Stapleton Building in Billings, Montana. Originally built in 1904 on the site of a livery stable, the Stapleton Building was once the largest and tallest commercial structure in all of Montana, the “monster building of four stories” by oral dictation.
Throughout the century, it would become a hotel, men’s club and home to many prominent Montana artists. But the day Young walked through the property, it was virtually abandoned, derelict and stripped of all its historic charm.
Seeing its potential, Young purchased the property with the intent to remodel the gutted, sagging space into the eclectic, little-bit-rustic-little-bit-posh 4,000 sq. ft. design studio it is today. It was a tedious 3-year process of removing asbestos and lead paint, and artificially aging the original wood with a multilayered restoration process of Young’s own creation.
The chic mountain-modern space is a breathtaking culmination of Young’s careful planning and concepting. Every item is deliberately placed, and the service kitchen was no exception.
“We took great pains to make it appear this was always there,” the Montana designer said of the transformation. For him, Heartland Appliances were not only the natural choice for the turn-of-the century service kitchen but an investment in quality.
“Not any generic appliance would do. I wanted to emulate the character and style of our studio,” Young explains. “The Heartland range is the star, and it allows the rest of the kitchen to be primitive.”
The fact each Heartland range is handcrafted in the Midwest was an added bonus.
“Made in America is something I’m passionate about,” he adds.
Since the kitchen renovation, Young hosted Kibler & Kirch events out of the small kitchen, which surprisingly fit as many as 12 guests! The clever layout and open shelving keeps everything within easy reach, making for a very efficient workspace. Instead of an island, Young opted for a butcher’s block table to double function with aesthetic.
“Everything is right at your fingertips. People often think you need a large kitchen space, but in reality, efficiency matters more in terms of functionality. Even though it’s small, it’s such a lovely, intimate space. People just want to be there, being together.”
Wide oak countertops are coated in food-safe stain and an adjacent butler’s pantry offers hidden storage behind muted drapery.
“We’ve had chefs cook on the Heartland range and they loved it.”
About Kibler & Kirch
Kibler & Kirch is an interior design firm that specializes in comfortable and timeless designs across a spectrum of styles–rustic, traditional, and modern. In addition to their 25-year interior design legacy, Kibler & Kirch also stocks an eclectic collection of American-made furnishings, artwork, accessories, handmade rugs, lighting, bedding, and gifts, inspiring homeowners to create a fuller, better sense of home.
Cleaning Porcelain and Painted Enamel
F. Gas Oven Features:
o one cubic foot of warming storage area. And, the warming drawer on the Heartland Classic 48″ Gas Range model includes thermostatic temperature control and sliding humidity control as a bonus feature.
