A Room of Her Own: Inside Interior Designer Andrea Monath Schumacher’s Kitchen

A warm, welcoming kitchen is thoughtfully designed for the way one family lives.

5 hours ago

Irene Rawlings,

Kitchen Fond memories of Andrea Schumacher’s grandfather importing exotic spices and her grandmother preparing curry inspired the kitchen’s globally influenced design. Schumacher curated many of the accessories, including Moroccan tagines, while the hand-painted wallpaper adds an Indian-inspired flourish. | Photo: Roger Davies

When Andrea Monath Schumacher, principal at Denver-based Andrea Schumacher Interiors, renovated the kitchen of her Midcentury Modern house, she wasn’t simply updating. She was reimagining the heart of her home around the way her family cooks, gathers and entertains.

“Everyone’s always in the kitchen,” Schumacher says. “That’s why I wanted a huge island where people could gather.” The generously scaled island is a place for conversation and meal preparation. Wide walkways allow family and guests to move comfortably through the room, while Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawers, a Wolf range and carefully planned storage support the rhythms of everyday life.

Unique Hardware Schumacher looked beyond the expected, selecting whimsical hardware with mermaid motifs and crown-inspired details that add personality to the space. | Photo: Roger Davies

Schumacher approached the renovation strategically. She completed the butler’s pantry first, converting what had been the laundry room into a hardworking secondary space so the family could function while the main kitchen was under construction.

Furniture-inspired details lend the kitchen much of its warmth. Refrigerator and freezer panels resemble elegant armoires, accented with campaign-style hardware and aged brass that soften the look of traditional cabinetry. Richly veined Calacatta marble introduces character, while a quartz countertop on the island provides a durable work surface for everything from homework to holiday baking.

Family Time The central island is where family and friends naturally gather for hibachi nights, Christmas cookie baking and, here, an enthusiastic pizza-making session. “Everyone is always in the kitchen,” says Schumacher. | Photo: Roger Davies

The wallpaper is one of the new kitchen’s most memorable features. “I have always wanted hand-painted wallpaper in my kitchen,” Schumacher says. Rather than abandon the idea over concerns about durability, she had the paper sealed with a nearly invisible protective coating.

While the kitchen is soft and serene, the adjoining butler’s pantry provides a bold contrast. Crackled Fireclay tile and distinctive Asian-inspired hardware create a jewel-box effect while concealing the coffee station, beverage center and the practical necessities that keep the main kitchen beautifully uncluttered.

Mural The hand-painted wallpaper was sealed with a protective coating, making it practical in the kitchen. | Photo: Roger Davies

Schumacher admits that designing for herself required a leap of faith. “Then I thought, ‘This is my house. I can do whatever I want.’” Looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing. “I love, love, love it.”

For homeowners planning a kitchen renovation, Schumacher offers practical advice: Begin with the way you live, not the way a kitchen looks. “Write down how you use your kitchen,” she says. “Consider how often you cook, how many people gather there, and where dishes are stored before making design decisions.” She also recommends visiting appliance showrooms early in the planning process, since innovations such as microwave drawers and dishwasher drawers can influence both layout and storage.

Butler’s Pantry Once the laundry room, the butler’s pantry now embraces vibrant color in contrast with the creamy white kitchen. | Photo: Roger Davies

For Schumacher, a successful kitchen isn’t about perfect design. It’s about family dinners, celebrations with friends and the quiet, everyday moments that make a house feel like home.