It all began with the AGA. This home in Cumberland Foreside begged for updates, but before choosing cabinets or countertops, homeowners Rosie and Matt—a couple with two young boys—were determined to install a classic cast-iron AGA range, just like the one Rosie, an avid cook, had grown up with. “The AGA drove the design,” says Tina Rodda, owner of EYDER Curated Kitchens + Home, which she launched in the spring of 2020. In Britain, where the oven originated, an AGA range is considered the hearth of the home, not only efficient but also a handsome statement piece that brings warmth and conviviality to a space.
With that in mind, once the AGA was in place, Rosie and Matt chose a portable island, an antique table that Tina found at Portland Flea-for-All. Whenever relevant, Tina likes to integrate upcycled pieces into a project. “I often look for authentic elements that tell a story about my clients rather than show some perfect idea of what a kitchen should be,” she says. “In this case, the client is enamored with an English country aesthetic, and she wanted a bespoke design that reflected this passion.” That meant a spacious pantry was a priority, as were prep and cleanup sinks. A stunning balsam-green hutch matches the pantry doors. Even the new mudroom—with its Benjamin Moore Dutch Blue cabinets and deep sink, birch-tree wallpaper, and Oriental rug—exudes a rustic-chic style reminiscent of a country home in Cornwall.
Overall, the new design ticked all the boxes for this family of four. For Tina, it was thrilling to shepherd through this project, one of her first as EYDER’s founder and a calling card of a strong, detail-oriented design sense. The seasoned designer worked in Boston for a decade before cofounding Kitchen Cove, which she sold in February 2020 to pursue her vision of boutique studio focused on both kitchen and home design. “Every design project is a journey from start to finish,” she says. “It’s about problem-solving, guiding a client’s vision as it evolves, and perhaps helping to elevate it to the next level.”
