The elegant curves of the main island countertop were no problem for Cambria and the Kensington pattern blended perfectly with the green cabinetry aound the perimeter of the kitchen. The result was a highly functional space, perfect for the preparation of food, of course, but also great for hanging out and maybe even doing some homework. TM
Countertop color: KensingtonTM
with a washed out white trim—Cambria’s marvelous color depth helped pull together the color scheme by blending seamlessly with the cabinetry and wall color. “The Cambria countertop is gray (Preston ) and we painted the walls a pale gray to match,” says Pam. Upstairs, Pam took pains to match the Cambria countertops with the colors used in the floor, walls, and cabinets to give each child’s bathroom a unique look. “In Harrison’s bathroom, for example, we used Cambria’s Lancaster , which has dark gray tones that work well with the hues of brown and copper in the slate on the floor.” In Gabrielle’s bathroom, the Hookers opted for Cambria’s Wilshire Red to complement the more feminine color scheme. Pam says she worked closely with the contractor and salespeople at the cabinetry and tile stores to ensure that the work on the house went smoothly. “Probably the biggest key to pulling it all together, from selection of cabinetry, to paint color, to countertops, was taking samples of the cabinet colors and the Cambria colors to the tile store to make sure that everything was going to work together.” The process took time, but saved them trouble later on. “We didn’t end up saying ‘oh, I hate that paint color,’ or ‘I wish we’d chosen a different color for the countertop,’ once it was inTM
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stalled, and then have to go back and change it,” Pam says. “There was a lot that we tried to do on the front end and during the selection process to make sure we didn’t end up with too many cases of ‘I wish I had done this or that.’” Once their dream house was finished, in November of last year, the Hookers began the task of moving their family from the old home in King, to the new house in Westfield. “Gabrielle and Harrison actually adjusted to the new house a lot easier than I did,” Pam recalls, laughing. “They really fit right in.” Gabrielle in particular, quickly adopted a new morning routine. “She gets up every morning, eats her breakfast, and then goes to visit with her grandparents—whose cabin is just 300 yards from the house—for a bit before she goes off to school.” “I’ve been fortunate in life to have many opportunities,” says Sam. “But this home really is a dream come true for us.” He adds that leaving their old home, with all of its memories—especially from when the children were young—was difficult. Still, this magnificent new home, with its elegant exterior and old-fashioned charm, offers the Hookers a chance to write another wonderful new chapter in their family’s story in the years ahead. 31