There’s something undeniably magnetic about a kitchen at Christmastime. The scent of something baking, the soft clinking of glasses, the hum of laughter that seems to echo longer this time of year—it’s no wonder we call it the heart of the home. For Jamie Janson, owner of Curated Kitchens in West Palm Beach, that truth extends well beyond design.
Her picturesque farmhouse embodies that feeling in every sense. Set on a quiet stretch of land where cows graze and chickens wander freely, it’s a home that balances elegance with authenticity. Inside, her kitchen is the heartbeat of it all—a ten-foot wood island trimmed with white marble anchors the space, flanked by white cabinetry with gold hardware. A striking black-and-gold range adds contrast and warmth, while an antiqued mirror above it reflects the window over the sink—a window framing the open pasture beyond.
“The two most important design decisions for this kitchen were to add as many windows as possible and to use this space as both kitchen and dining room,” Jamie shares. “I purposely designed it with a long table in the center so we can cook together, host friends and family, and eat here while enjoying the view of our farm.” It’s a room made for connection—a place where food, conversation, and memory naturally come together.
That balance between beauty and practicality defines both her home and her work. “One can’t afford to be precious when living on a farm,” she laughs. “Muddy dogs, boots, and cows are part of daily life. But it gives me great pleasure to be surrounded by family heirlooms, lively art, and comfy furniture.”
Her design philosophy mirrors that same lived-in warmth. “Kitchens that incorporate furniture pieces are so much more thoughtful and meaningful to me,” she explains. “I love using an antique table as an island or an armoire as a coffee station. I relish those details—the conversation that’s created through history by putting old things with new things.” During the holidays, she leans into that philosophy, decorating with personal pieces that tell her family’s story: antique ornaments from her grandparents, a white ceramic Christmas tree her grandmother made by hand in a pottery class in 1984, and the sleigh bells from her grandfather’s farm that once jingled on his horses.
Jamie’s love for spaces with soul also stems from her fascination with English interiors. “There’s something quite beautiful about an interior that’s slightly undesigned,” she says. “American interiors are often perfect—every detail finished, every trend followed—but I find homes with a story far more inspiring. Reclaimed wood, ornate old doors, the owner’s collections—those details give warmth to a home.”
That perspective carries into her work at Curated Kitchens, the West Palm Beach design studio she founded in Historic Northwood Village. Since 2011, she’s helped homeowners, designers, and builders bring their visions to life—always beginning with one simple question: How do you want to live? Her background in both design and construction gives her an intuitive sense for color, proportion, and light. “Emphasis on space, scale, and detail helps any kitchen feel grounded,” she says.
Beyond her work, Jamie’s sense of community runs deep. Each Monday, she and her team volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Martin County, delivering food and companionship to homebound seniors. For her, it’s another way the kitchen extends its reach. “It’s about nourishment and connection,” she says. “Whether you’re designing a kitchen or delivering a meal, both start from the same place—care.”
And when it comes to her own home during the holidays, that care is at the center of it all. “I usually throw a party where my girlfriends and I make holiday wreaths,” she smiles. “We do a sort of potluck, and the center table is filled with food, wine, and craft materials. It’s a beautiful mess.”
As the season of gathering begins, Janson’s farmhouse kitchen offers a reminder that the most meaningful spaces aren’t the ones that look perfect—they’re the ones that hold people close. Whether it’s the scent of cinnamon, the laughter of friends, or the quiet contentment of watching cows wander past your windows, the kitchen remains what it has always been: the true heart of the home.
There’s something quite beautiful about an interior that’s slightly undesigned.