PROjECT. principal + visionary, Aimee Wertepny, chatS elevated kitchen design (and breaking the rules) WITH JENNAIR.

JennAir: PROjECT. is known for breaking the rules of interior design. How would you describe your design sensibility?

Aimee Wertepny: Thoughtful, unexpected, detailed, traveled, curated, playful… At PROjECT., we believe in dynamic visual storytelling, radical craftsmanship, rough edges and flipping the script. Creating thoughtful, unapologetically distinct environments that surround our clients with the things that bring them joy is why PROjECT. exists.

JA: What sets the JennAir collection of luxury appliances apart? Why do you endorse/recommend it to clients?

AW: First of all, I can speak to the performance because I own it myself. As for the way that it looks, it’s just so polished. It fits both my personal brand and PROjECT.’s brand as a firm. With JennAir, you can hide things when you want or put your kitchen appliances on blast and make a statement. It’s versatile for every person’s wants and needs. Plus, it’s nice when you can spec an entire kitchen from one line and feel confident about how it will turn out.

JA: How do you bring a truly personalized approach to designing kitchens for your clients? What are your top tips for creating the perfect balance between artistry/design and functionality? 

AW: Our clients tend to have a specific vision in mind—or they already dig our vibe and want to hand over the reins, entrusting us to do what we do best. When approaching a kitchen design, it’s all about the client’s wants and needs. Do they cook a lot? Or do they just want a pretty space for entertaining? Do they have a big family with kiddos that need to belly up to a bar for meals? All of these factors can come into play. The key is listening intently to the client. We love new construction projects because we can be fully integrated into the design-and-build process from the ground up, which gives us more control over the kitchen layout and zoning. As designers, our focus is always going to be on the visual impact of a space—how a home tells the stories of its inhabitants, reflecting their journeys through life in edited moments. But when it comes to the kitchen, we have to balance that artistry with high function.  

At PROjECT., we believe in radical craftsmanship, rough edges and flipping the script. We’re always looking to turn an element on its head and do the unexpected. For a kitchen, that could mean using a marble slab as a hood cover that’s installed vertically into the ceiling, or doing away with a formal sink and integrating one directly into the countertop. One way in which we are balancing the artistry of the design with the functionality of the space is by bringing back the secondary kitchen. Front and center you get all of the pretty parts for entertaining, and then there’s this tucked away back kitchen where the prep and bulk storage can be hidden out of sight. For one home that we recently completed, we included a dual-purpose pantry/catering closet that we concealed behind a big, sliding black metal-and-glass door. At the flip of a switch the glass can go from transparent to opaque if the owners want to conceal the space. It’s perfect for hiding the mess the moment company comes over.

JA: What does your design process look like? Do you find a specific piece or appliance you love and work around it or do you start with an overall design and search for pieces/appliances that fit the aesthetic?

AW: We start with an overall design vision, and then work in key pieces that stand out and support the aesthetic. But if a client is fascinated by something they saw and want it to shine, then we’ll select that specific piece first and build around it. For example, a client we’re currently working with wants a big ‘ole 60-inch black range, so we’re designing around that piece in the kitchen so that it can be the showstopper. We’re always keeping the design goals top of mind when selecting the appliances suite, i.e. are we going for a minimalistic look where everything is tucked away and sleek? Or do the homeowners want more of a maximalist design with custom hardware and big personality? I personally like fully integrated kitchens where you don’t know where the fridge or dishwasher is because it’s seamlessly covered by cabinetry, which is why I’m drawn to JennAir's leather-clad fridge columns in snakeskin. For personality and pop, the brass detailing of the RISE collection is catching my eye.

JA: Where do you find inspiration?

AW: Like many creatives, I find inspiration in magazines, from blogs, on Pinterest—and I also love a good trade show. And I’m always intrigued to see how people around the world are living in their homes. In the U.S., there’s this ‘the bigger the better’ mentality when it comes to homes and design, but that’s not always the case in other parts of the world. I love what’s coming out of places like Brazil, Australia and Mexico because they tend to break the American rules of what a kitchen should look like—ie. the triangle configuration of appliances, or the need for gigantic stainless steel appliances with big colorful knobs. At PROjECT., we’re all about the element of surprise and breaking the rules—and mastering the art of subtlety. With JennAir appliances, we like to incorporate them into the delicate artistry of the design, rather than putting them on blast so that they are the sole focal point. The new design-forward collections are great for that.

JA: What JennAir products allow you to design for subtle impact?

AW: The Cuts by JennAir collection is adding these luxuriously radical textures to refrigerator columns. No one else is doing that! I mean, who wouldn’t want to indulge in a fridge that’s covered in that Caviar cut?! Especially when integrated with some sexy millwork. JennAir’s professional-style ranges are also major standouts. I love the pieces that flaunt that distressed smoke finish, and brazen brass handles and knobs. These pieces are designed in a manner that is as elevated as our custom cabinetry selections. Oooh, and the new RISE hardware is sensual. The knobs are soft and round on the outside, but square on the inside. It’s an indulgent texture that you can linger over with your fingertips.