A show stopping kitchen

That wasn’t an option for The Barnhardts, however. Their lovely Islington Street home is one of ten on this year’s 25th Anniversary Kitchen Tour to benefit The Music Hall.  They went for the dazzle when they chose red for the wall at one end of their living area. And not plain old red, mind you.  It’s “Show Stopper Red” by Sherwin Williams. It’s on the same sample strip as “Poinsettia” and “Coral Bells.” They’re nice enough, but they aren’t show stoppers. You’ve got to see this wall.

And good news!  This same home has a fabulous kitchen to tour as well.  So with your Kitchen Tour ticket you get to see the gorgeous red wall (ask someone on tour day the story of the beautiful seascape that graces the wall) and a kitchen that is sure to delight and inspire. Come check out the leathered granite countertops and see how they marry so well with the backsplash.  Very nice.

All you have to do now is get your Kitchen Tour tickets. Call The Music Hall, go online (themusichall.org) or visit the box office in person. And remember, the May 7 Kitchen Tour is on Mother’s Day weekend. Invite your mother or someone’s mother along. As a special treat, you could throw in a copy of the commemorative 25th Anniversary Kitchen Tour Cookbook. It’s on sale now at the box office. There is a limited supply, so don’t wait to purchase this unique collection of more than 100 recipes from friends of The Music Hall. (I’m personally not waiting for summer to try the “4th of July Cherry Pie.” Buy the book. It’s on page 73.  Goodness me.)

So mark your calendars for this year’s Kitchen Tour. It’s going to be a special one. All the kitchens are in Portsmouth, site of the first Kitchen Tour back in 1992.  They’re all in a very walkable area downtown. They’re all quite nice, and you will be surprised at all the hidden residential gems we’ve found around town.  Come and decide for yourself which ones you think are show stoppers.