38 AUTUMN 2026 ASPIREDESIGNANDHOME.COM 39 STYLING: Gill Renlund PROJECT LOCATION: Hälsingland, Sweden PROJECT DETAILS: The current owner of this 17th-century farmhouse has inherited and renovated it on her own. Much of the painting in the kitchen is directly inspired by the original colors and styles of the home, while the mixing of patterns and textures adds a timeless aesthetic that feels right at home. Sources: Mostly heirlooms from the 18th century and onward. THIS OR THAT: Open shelving or upper cabinets? A combination of both! PROJECT LOCATION: Lake Garda, Italy PROJECT DETAILS: The inspiration for this Ca’ dei Mongi kitchen grew out of the Kintschers’ philosophy on life: they love paring things down to the essentials and the aesthetic of clarity. Striking materials — such as a rough natural stone monolith and mill-scale steel surfaces — are balanced with soft, natural tones, handcrafted furniture and unique pieces collected all over the world. The result is a living space you can step into and intuitively feel at ease in — a place where you can truly unwind. Sources: Custom-made kitchen with scaled steel: Metalworker, Bavaria; Münsinger Kernstein and stone: Hauser Stonemason; Pendant lamps: Be unique, Belgium. THIS OR THAT: Big dinner or light entrees? The best meal to cook in this kitchen? If you ask the kids, the answer will always be: MEAT. Sliced thinly as Tagliata di Manzo or thick pieces cut down from a Fiorentina steak. If you ask us parents, it would be salmon and wonderfully steamed vegetables. Best when freshly coming out of the Gaggenau steamer — our favorite high-end kitchen appliance. Sometimes when preparing dinner, we wish for rain or bad weather so we have to sit inside, because indoors is almost as beautiful as outdoors. DESIGNER/HOMEOWNER MONICA LINDBERG DESIGNER ALV AND DANIELA KINTSCHER, CA’ DEI MONGI Photo by Ramona Balaban Photo by Paul Dyer Photo by Monica Ljusdal In this Boffi kitchen, streamlined cabinetry, open shelving and dramatic stone create a highly personalized, contemporary space. DESIGNER ANN LOWENGART “Authenticity is defining kitchens in 2026. Clients want spaces that feel personal rather than like everyone else’s, whether through a distinctive slab, unexpected color or unique hardware.” —Ann Lowengart GATHER ’ROUND