A year after this North Andover kitchen appeared in Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths returned to it for a closer look at what makes it work. It became the second national publication to feature this renovation.

The layout rests on one idea: the cook belongs at the center, with a view. The sink and induction cooktop both sit beneath banks of black casement windows that look out over the woods. A telescoping downdraft hides behind the cooktop so nothing interrupts that view. Two full-size Wolf ovens, built into the cabinetry without handles or knobs, flank the cooking zone. The long island keeps family and guests close to whoever is cooking.

White oak base cabinets wrap the room. White uppers, a herringbone tile backsplash, and a black granite waterfall island with striking veining complete the palette. The magazine also shared our functional strategies: planning around the dishwasher, organizing drawers by purpose, and a custom pullout cutting board that drops scraps straight into a bin below.