Steve and Terri McCormick have been vacationing in the U.S. Virgin Islands for over 30 years. The lush landscape and the rich character of the vintage villas are just two of the reasons why the couple returns to the private island of St. John year after year. “We’re gardeners at heart—our back yard is a lively tropical paradise,” Terri says. “And we love the old-world architecture on the island. St. John is an amazing place.”
So when the McCormicks decided it was time to remodel the kitchen in their Tampa Bay home, their thoughts immediately returned to the Caribbean vacation destination. “I have always been inspired by the exotic homes and resorts on the island and I wanted to have just a bit of that atmosphere incorporated into my home here,” Terri says.
The couple sat down with Kitchen Creations co-owner Jeff McNabb to develop a design plan. “They did a lot of research and had a clear vision of their dream kitchen,’ McNabb says. “We set out to create a vintage-inspired space with touches of Caribbean charm.”
The elegant Dura Supreme cabinetry features a plethora of ornate embellishments, from the Enkeboll decorative trim and moldings to the corner posts and under-counter corbels. “The glass door fronts give the eye a break from the wall-to-wall cabinetry and create display space for collectibles,” McNabb says.
In keeping with the vintage theme, the cabinets themselves were designed to resemble heirloom pieces. The maple perimeter cabinets feature Dura Supreme’s Classic Finish, which includes a stain and paint that is hand-applied to create a distressed, aged look. The Rustic Cherry island includes a Heavy Heirloom finish to give it an antique, rustic appearance. “Today’s most interesting styles take their finishing touches from furniture. Mismatching cabinets, such as incorporating a different color for the island, continues to be a popular trend,” McNabb says.
The McCormick’s remodeling journey began after they purchased the Electrolux range a few years ago. The new range created a bare open space on the wall behind it that begged for attention. “My daughter-in-law said the new range meant we needed to add a backsplash, and that turned into a discussion about new countertops,” Terri says. “It just snowballed from there and led to a complete kitchen renovation.”
The backsplash was inspired by the terra cotta and clay tiles often found in Caribbean homes. Terri discovered the green clay tiles online and knew they would be a perfect fit.
A custom Stanisci hood, complete with curved sides and a decorative base with scroll carvings and a seashell accent, also accompanies the range.
Glass front doors hold glasses and other collectibles, while a wine refrigerator sits below the countertop. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets on one side of the counter hide a series of pullout drawers. “I hated the old doors and felt that the pantry had a lot of wasted space,” says Terri. “The storage is now much more accessible than ever before.”
The Schonbek chandelier is one of the first pieces Terri ordered when the renovation started. The crystal light fixture adds a dramatic touch to the overall design. “When this process started, I knew that if I was completely redoing the kitchen I was going to have a chandelier,” she says. “I fell in love with this one from the moment I saw it.”
Terri has a very eclectic collection that is on display throughout the kitchen. From one-of-a-kind serving pieces, to hand-made glass statues—she has purchased most of it during her travels, as well as at the annual Raymond James Gasparilla Festival of the Arts here in Tampa.
The eye-catching pieces fit right in with another unique feature in the kitchen—the hand-hammered copper farmhouse sink from Native Trails. “I love the patina and it is so deep and very functional,” Terri says. “It has been a hit with our grandson too—he thinks it’s a bathtub!”
The McCormicks selected White Crystal Brazilian quartzite for the countertops due to its durability and the gold, gray and black veining, which complement the overall color scheme in the kitchen. Fabricator Stone Specialties cut an ogee and double bullnose edge on the island countertop to set it apart from the rest of the kitchen. “It is a triple layer and it really makes the island stand out,” says Terri.