Jerel Lake, Principal Designer

LakeHaus Designs, Atlanta, GA

When Jerel Lake initially considered finish selections for this kitchen renovation, completed in collaboration with Jigsaw Construction, its design was a bit more masculine with elements such as dark countertops. But whenever the designer met with his client, he noticed she was always wearing very colorful clothes.

“People’s personalities often shine through their wardrobes and what they choose to wear out into the world,” says the principal designer of LakeHaus Designs in Atlanta, GA. “For her, she truly enjoyed color, brightness and floral prints.”

That revelation inspired a shift in material selections, including a switch to Calacatta Manhattan marble for the countertops. The honed finish visually softens the room and gives it a cozier feel. Lake also extended the marble into a backsplash around the kitchen’s perimeter, highlighting it with a narrow shelf with brass rails that safeguard treasured artwork.

“We’re going a bit away from full-height backsplashes that show off a massive decorative hood,” he relates. “A half-ledge such as this one, that goes up about 18″, isn’t quite as grand and makes a quieter statement.”

Marble is a frequently requested finish in many of the kitchens Lake designs, and he credits its popularity to its timeless aesthetic and its ability to add value.

“Marble can be a bit intimidating for some clients, but when managed well and maintained appropriately, it can be a great long-term investment,” he indicates.

The stone’s cool tones and its blue and gray veining inspired the selection of several other finishes used throughout the space, including the GP & J Baker Little Magnolia wallpaper tucked safely behind a piece of glass and showcased to create a focal-point moment with the La Cornue range and custom ventilation hood.

“When we showed her the wallpaper, she really responded to it,” he relates. “It’s a perfect fit for her personality and it marries well with the stone. The wallpaper is also a unique way to make a statement and it gives a bit of a twist to the home’s traditional style.”

To ensure an exact match between the blue hues in the wallpaper and the Periwinkle blue range, Lake had a faux finisher meticulously paint over several of the flowers.

“When the wallpaper came in, it was a bit bluer than we were expecting,” Lake says. “We also added a matching periwinkle stripe to the lip on the hood to tie everything in a bit more. Brass nailheads play into a traditional style.”

To further the traditional vibe, the designer incorporated walnut into the island, using it to frame the marble and define the seating area. He also used the wood as the interior for the glass-front wall cabinets.

“We’re introducing more wood into our designs,” he indicates. “This kitchen is very light and bright, and the dark walnut offers some contrast and warmth.”

Alicia Torosian, Principal Designer

Alicia Torosian Design, Corona Del Mar, CA

Any discussion regarding backsplashes would not be complete without including a reference to zellige tile. The handmade Moroccan clay tile is seemingly everywhere these days.

While currently beloved, zellige tile isn’t necessarily new, since its handcrafted process dates back centuries. In fact, it’s that steeped-in-history, traditional vibe that designer Alicia Torosian is drawn to.

“Design trends are currently leaning more traditional,” says the principal designer for Alicia Torosian Design in Corona Del Mar, CA. “This shift towards more traditional design feels warm and inviting.”

For these clients, traditional design was the right direction to serve as a backdrop for their abundant heirlooms. As part of that, the designer, who worked in collaboration with Cornerstone Construction, included elements like beadboard; warm white flat panel cabinetry; mixed-metal hardware including Polished Nickel and Satin Brass; a furniture-style island, and zellige tile from clé. The neutral-toned Zio & Sons 4″ Sea Salt octagon and 1″ Weathered White bouchon tiles combine to give the traditional tile an updated look with ‘clipped’ corners and ‘dot’ centers.

Because her clients wanted to keep their cooktop in the island, Torosian clad multiple walls with the tile to create a focal-point moment sans the often-customary ‘wow’ ventilation hood.

“She loves to talk to her family while she is cooking, so having the cooktop in the island functions better for her household,” she explains. “Without the hood, I wanted to make sure their kitchen still had a focal point. I was super intentional with the cabinetry layout, including space details like the plate rack on the back wall, wine fridge, open shelving and that beautiful backsplash. All of these things, including carrying the zellige tile up and around the windows, really created a beautiful moment.”

Torosian paired the zellige tile with Taj Mahal quartzite for the countertop surfaces.

“I love using Taj Mahal because it’s such a timeless quartzite,” she relates. “It’s very neutral and goes with so many different palettes. It has beautiful undertones and a creaminess that makes it very easy to incorporate into a lot of designs.”

Giving the natural stone a polished finish creates a ‘dressier’ vibe and complements the tile’s glossy surface. Quartzite is also a very durable natural stone, which was a requirement for these homeowners.

“Our client loves to cook and bake, so we needed something very durable,” Torosian says.

The designer also repeated zellige tile and natural stone in the adjacent butler’s pantry where she featured 4″x4″ Bedrosians Zagora zellige tile in Blanc as the backsplash and Fantasy Lux quartzite for the countertop.

“The simpler Zagora tile works well with the checkered pantry floor,” she says, “and the patterned clé tile is the icing on the cake in the kitchen.”

Jeannine Bogart, Principal Designer/Owner

Epic Interiors, Evanston, IL

Traditional 3″x6″ subway tile is a tried-and-true selection that, over the years, has proven its value as a kitchen backsplash. However, when clients want the traditional rectangular-shaped tile, Jeannine Bogart often likes to make selections that offer a bit of a twist, such as switching up its size, color and/or texture, to keep a space looking fresh and updated.

Such was the case in this kitchen renovation where her clients had specific requests for kitchen functionality, but they weren’t attached to any particular material selections. So, the principal designer/owner of Epic Interiors in Evanston, IL, could use her creativity to transform the residence into their dream home.

“My client loves to cook and she always wanted a beautifully appointed chef’s kitchen,” she says.

In that regard, she knew she wanted a column refrigerator and freezer, a double oven, a range and an island where she could sit with her grandkids. Beyond that, finish selections were more open-ended, although she did want a contemporary kitchen that would flow well with other rooms in the house, as well as with its ranch-style architecture and its relatively traditional neighborhood. She also knew she wanted flat-panel cabinetry, so Bogart grounded the design with a foundation of white oak cabinets.

To amp up the design, she included elongated 2″x8″ Ann Sacks Savoy tile in the Lantern colorway as the kitchen backsplash. Its ribbed surface adds dimension and interest while stacking it in a traditional brick pattern creates subtle undulations and movement.

“I like to use Savoy because it’s a great price point, and it has quite a few styles and colors that make it easy to work with,” she says, adding that she repeated the Savoy Lantern tile as an accent in an adjacent custom buffet but mixed it up by selecting a flat tile and stacking it horizontally. “I also love the deep, dark blue color. It brings color into the space and it works nicely with the white oak cabinetry. There is a lot of wood in this kitchen, so the blue tiles help to visually soften the space and keep it from being too masculine.”

For greater emphasis, Bogart used the tile to clad two walls from countertop to ceiling.

“We had plenty of windows so we were able to carry the tile up and around them,” she explains. “Sometimes a backsplash blends in, but in this case, it is one of the priority features of the kitchen.”

Bogart complemented the tile selection with MSI’s Marbella quartz for the countertops, which features a waterfall edge on the island. The quartz mimics a classic marble with tonal veining on a soft white background.

“Marbella has always been one of my favorite quartz patterns to use,” she says. “It isn’t stark white so it adds some warmth, and it has just a bit of veining that isn’t too overpowering.”

Quartz’s durability was also key in its selection.

“My clients’ grandkids are integral to their lives, and they didn’t want to have to worry about spills and stains,” Bogart relates. “They can really live in the space, and quartz is easy and very forgiving.”

Lizzie Green, Principal Designer

Popix Designs, San Diego, CA

Lizzie Green’s clients often come to her looking for ways to incorporate color into their kitchens. This client wanted that color to be green, and she wanted as much of it as possible.

“She didn’t want a cookie cutter kitchen,” says the principal designer of Popix Designs in San Diego, CA, who worked with Leslie Morter Brown on the final decorating and styling elements for the project. “She wanted something bold and unique, so I thought it would be really beautiful to find a green backsplash, since a backsplash is a great place to make an aesthetic statement.”

To accommodate, she used Clay Imports’ 4″x8″ Oval in Cilantro. Each rectangular handmade clay tile features a partial oval imprint that, when grouped together in pairs, creates a complete oval indentation within a raised background. That dimensional design adds texture and interest to the wall behind the range.

For added emphasis and to create a monochromatic mass of color, the designer color-matched the custom cabinetry for the kitchen’s perimeter to the tile and topped the base cabinets with Breccia Capraia marble that is sealed to provide added protection from stains and etching.

“Functionality and how a client uses a space play such an important role in countertop selection,” Green indicates. “Engineered quartz and quartzite are great for busy families, and for people who like veining found in many natural stones, we often choose marble or quartzite.”

This Breccia Capraia marble from Italy showcases dark green veining against a creamy white background, making it an ideal fit for this highly colorful kitchen. Touches of gold veining complement the gold tones in the plumbing and lighting fixtures, cabinetry hardware and knobs on the range.

“We knew we wanted some green in the countertop to complement the backsplash, and when we saw this slab, we fell in love with it,” she relates. “It’s perfect for this kitchen.”

Green selected a honed finish for the marble that complements the matte finish of the tile.

“Honed and matte finishes are more earthy, which match my client’s personality and the way she lives,” the designer relates. “Polished and glossy finishes felt just a bit too fancy and glamorous for her.”

To prevent a single color from overwhelming the space, Green contrasted the dark hue with light white oak. Showcased in multiple places, it notably stands out as fluting on the island and ventilation hood surround, the latter of which is designed with grooves that run in multiple directions.

“It adds another textural element to the kitchen,” she adds. “And, it’s a bit of a surprise.”

Joseph Andre Rodrigues, Founder/Principal

Joseph Interiors, Laguna Hills, CA

Like Lizzie Green, Joseph ‘JR’ Andre Rodrigues’ client loves the color green, in particular, shades of warm olive.

“It’s my client’s favorite color, so I wanted to find interesting ways to bring it into the kitchen,” says the founder/principal at Joseph Interiors in Laguna Hills, CA, who worked with Well Done Building & Design for the construction aspects of the project.

Andre Rodrigues didn’t initially set out to showcase the hue as painted cabinetry, but his client did want to emphasize the kitchen’s perimeter, especially after the designer was able to remove a wall to expose the formerly closed-off, galley-style space to the dining and living rooms.

“My client had lived in the home for 20 years,” he explains. “They had always wanted a more open kitchen, as well as a central island that caters to gathering and entertaining. When we were able to find a way to open up the kitchen, it made sense to make a statement on the perimeter wall.”

That’s where the focal-point Bedrosian’s Casablanca 5″x5″ ceramic tile comes in. Its Torres colorway acts as a complement to the cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore’s Windsor Green, which won out over a dozen or more other olive-toned variations.

“The backsplash is the main element in this kitchen,” he says. “It’s graphic, bold and colorful, drawing all the attention to the range wall.”

The tile’s encaustic, hand-crafted look, inspired by the medallions and motifs found in North African ceramics, also supports the upscale, sophisticated farmhouse vibe Andre Rodrigues’ client wanted.

“The tile has a very classic motif,” he says, “similar to what you might see in some of the beautiful farmhouses in Napa Valley, which is my client’s favorite place to visit.”

Andre Rodrigues also clad the ventilation hood surround in tile. The dark bronze Umbra tones of the Zenia porcelain tile from Bedrosians coordinate with the bronze plumbing and lighting fixtures, cabinetry hardware and knobs on the ILVE range while creating a bit of contrast with the hood’s custom copper metal trim fabricated by Jeff Johnson.

The Mont Blanc quartzite countertops, which feature a leathered finish that matches the matte finish of the backsplash tile, are also integral to the design. The natural stone sits atop the perimeter cabinets where its light, neutral colorway coordinates with the range. On the island, which is a light oak that brightens the space, the quartzite serves as a durable work surface.

“Currently we are seeing a broad request for quartzite countertops,” Andre Rodrigues relates. “It’s very durable and offers a similar look to marble, but is easier to maintain.”

The post Personal Pairings: Backsplashes and Countertops appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Divided from the rest of the home by two awkward half-walls, this Falmouth, ME kitchen felt dark and outdated. Additionally, the pantry was hidden behind a door, which didn’t allow for good workflow. Designer Caitlin Tucker of Arcadia Kitchen and Bath was given the task of creating a French country vibe in the updated kitchen while delivering an improved sense of brightness, flow and connection between spaces, as well as ample storage.

AFTER

White upper cabinetry is offset by cabinetry in a neutral shade of powder blue, which provides just enough color without being overpowering. Charcoal slate flooring furthers the sense of elegance, while polished chrome cabinet and drawer pulls modeled after bamboo bring a nature-inspired touch. The clients embraced the veining and character of Carrara marble for the countertops, even with its tendency to patina over time, as this is reflective of the French country “beauty in imperfection” philosophy.

The obvious star of the kitchen is another French motif symbolizing luck, the rooster mural on the backsplash behind the Bertazzoni range – dubbed “Reginald” – which was hand painted by a local artist.

The pantry, no longer shut away behind a door but featured beneath an arched entryway, also received a radical facelift. The reimagined nook features a pastoral Delft tile backsplash that pops against the neutral white cabinetry carried over from the kitchen.

The post Kitchen Highlights French Country Design appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Part of the full-home renovation of a 1947 Miami, FL home, this kitchen had an awkward layout and was separated from other living spaces by two walls, which made socializing and entertaining difficult. CEO and founder Charlie Hernandez, AIA, and the team at Nandez Design Studio began by gutting the entire interior of the home to make a fresh start, exposing the very bones of the structure. In order to open up the closed-off kitchen and integrate it with the dining and living rooms, two load-bearing walls had to be carefully and conscientiously removed, necessitating the addition of a structural engineer to the team. 

AFTER

While removing the bearing walls the team was able to install new, larger windows, allowing natural light to flood the space. The new open-concept kitchen features a sleek European aesthetic, with ultra-modern cabinetry and an extra-large 14′ island boasting wood fluting and quartz waterfall edges. The Fisher & Paykel range in black provides an industrial visual focal point, complemented by a ventilation hood clad in porcelain and flanked by wood shelving.

A suite of appliances by Fisher & Paykel, including a dishwasher, oven, refrigerator and wine cooler, are paneled in ultra-matte taupe to further the contemporary flavor. The expansive backsplash is completely sheathed in quartz surfacing with subtle veining for a touch a luxury. 

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This kitchen in Vashon, WA saw its last major remodel at the beginning of the open concept craze of the 1980s – clearly evident from the telltale honey oak cabinetry, high-gloss floors and dated tile backsplash. An awkward wall forced one of the peninsulas into a bizarre, crooked angle, creating a serious interruption to workflow. The real tragedy of the outdated space, though, was that its strange angles and overwhelming yellow-orange tones detracted from the grand view showcased by a bank of windows on the west wall.

AFTER

Designer Angie Harpole of Harpole Home drew inspiration from the outside view when choosing materials for the remodeled kitchen, selecting natural finishes to allow the beautiful vista to be the star of the space. An arabescato quartz countertop by Architectural Surfaces, combined with flat front cabinetry from Sound Woodworks, creates a refreshingly modern yet neutral backdrop for the view. Because another of the priorities for this remodel was to give the homeowner’s collection of handmade pottery a place to shine, the designer incorporated floating shelving against a full-height ceramic tile backsplash. 

By rethinking the configuration of appliances, a more functional work triangle was created. Additionally, the awkward wall was removed, allowing for the installation of an island, which also boasts a microwave drawer to enhance the functionality of the space.

The post Kitchen Enhances Natural Vista appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Slack’s first task was to replace the grill with a custom cutting board.

“It was a short-term fix that gave them more usable counter space,” says the owner of Fox Interiors in Minneapolis. “But long-term they wanted to transform the cold, dated kitchen into a warm, welcoming and functional environment for cooking, eating and working from home.”

FLOATING SHELVES

Serve as display for travel mementos

RAISED ISLAND BAR

Adds interest and gives the island a unique look

BOOK-MATCHED WALNUT CABINETRY

Grain flows perfectly from panel to panel and from drawer to drawer

Fast-forward a couple of years and the homeowners were ready to embark on their long-awaited complete kitchen renovation. With a desire to introduce neutral, classic and sophisticated modern finishes that would fit with updates recently made throughout the rest of the home, Slack focused on including an earthy palette with warm wood and warm gray tones, premium appliances and plenty of storage. As well, she widened the opening to the adjacent den, which brought in more light and improved circulation throughout the spaces.

Warm tones for the kitchen were addressed via custom walnut cabinetry and floating shelves from Steven Cabinets; Coco Cohiba granite countertops; greige ceramic backsplash tiles from Fireclay Tile; 24″x24″ gray floor tiles from Fioranese Ceramica, and an accent wall sheathed in Schumacher wallpaper.

A ‘drop-zone’ area at one end of the island provides a convenient place to set a sheet of cookies freshly baked in the built-in wall ovens.

The interior rollouts are faced with walnut so they match the cabinetry.

“The cabinetry in this kitchen is stunning,” says the designer. “We did amazing book-matched walnut where the grain flows perfectly from panel to panel and from drawer to drawer. Even the end panels and the faces of the end drawers on the island are mitered to create a continuous, horizontal grain wrapping, without a visible end panel front edge. The sides look completely flush.”

Slack also faced the interior rollouts with walnut so they would match the cabinetry.

“There is a tiny gap between the cabinetry doors due to the edge-pull door hardware [from Emtek],” she explains. “The rollouts are visible through that gap, even when the doors are closed, so I wanted them to match the cabinetry for a seamless aesthetic.” 

Slack repeated walnut for the floating shelves, which her clients use to display mementos from their travels, including excursions to Mount Kilimanjaro, the Alaskan wilderness, South America and Africa. Recessed LED lights beneath the shelves and Cedar & Moss spotlight sconces on the wall illuminate their treasures and cast a warm glow on the handmade tile backsplash.

In addition to providing casual seating, the banquette also serves as a work-from-home ‘office’ where the homeowners can sit with their laptops and enjoy the verdant, treehouse-like view.

Biophilic benefits

With its brown and black tones, the granite countertops pair beautifully with the walnut cabinetry and unite the project’s overall color palette. Selecting a suede finish provides a bit of texture that highlights the veining pattern and creates a tactile user experience that enhances the biophilic benefits of using natural materials.

“These clients love natural stone and they wanted to include it in this kitchen,” she indicates. “We used a gorgeous light-colored granite with a lot of movement in their previous home, but they wanted something more subtle and textural this time around. This Coco Cohiba has more quiet movement, which provides interest without overpowering other design elements. It draws attention to the beautiful wood as a supporting actor, rather than as the star of the show.”

To add interest and give the island a distinctive look, Colleen Slack created a raised bar with a thick 6″ mitered edge and waterfall detail. The former delineates a place for casual seating while the latter provides a visual break. 

Colleen Slack focused on including an earthy palette with warm wood and warm gray tones, premium appliances and plenty of storage. As well, she widened the opening to the adjacent den, which brought in more light and improved circulation throughout the spaces.

To add interest and give the island a unique look, Slack created a raised bar with a thick 6″ mitered edge and waterfall detail. The former delineates a place for casual seating while the latter provides a visual break. Custom steel framework beneath the stone supports its weight and distributes it across the island. 

A ‘drop-zone’ area at one end of the island ensures the homeowners have a convenient place to set a sheet of cookies freshly baked in the built-in Wolf wall ovens or a dinner plate of chicken reheated in the Wolf microwave drawer. As well, items cooled in the Sub-Zero refrigerator are within easy reach. 

The island is also home to a 48″ Wolf cooktop, ventilated with a remote-controlled ceiling-mounted Wolf hood.

“The homeowners were more than happy to get rid of the much-hated giant vent hood, nicknamed ‘the head basher’ because it was a point of pain every time they cooked,” she remarks, in reference to the original 36″x90″ double vent hood above the island. “On the day of its demolition, they even joked about skipping work to swing the sledgehammer!

“Replacing the original hood with a sleek, ceiling-mounted model was a key design move since it opened up the kitchen, allowing the design to take center stage,” she continues. “It also created better sight lines through the space so the homeowners can actually enjoy the view.”

The homeowners were more than happy to get rid of the much-hated ‘head-basher’ double vent hood above the island. Replacing it with a ceiling-mounted model opens up the kitchen and creates better sight lines so they can enjoy the view.

Specialized storage

Improved storage was critical to the design as well. As such, Slack included wide drawers below the island cooktop for pots and pans. Pullouts on either side keep spices and oils close at hand. Pantry rollouts on the perimeter wall were designed for specific pantry items with height spacing predetermined for canned goods versus cereal boxes versus jars of nuts, etc. Additionally, a bread drawer, corner drawer unit and cookie sheet/cutting board pullouts are positioned strategically for their point of use.

Slack also addressed storage needs for the couple’s two rescue dogs by including adjustable-height rollouts that can accommodate large food containers in the sideboard located next to the banquette. In addition to providing casual seating, the banquette also serves as a work-from-home ‘office’ where her clients can sit with their laptops and enjoy the verdant, treehouse-like view. Sillite outlets, which are also used on the island, are integrated into end panels to blend into the walnut. Schumacher wallpaper, which sheaths an entire wall, brings in texture and pattern to the quiet palette.

“This entire section of the kitchen was previously underutilized,” the designer relates. “But now it’s a very functional, cozy area with a strong connection to adjacent rooms and the outdoors.”

The post Earthy Palette Warms Cold, Dated Kitchen appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

So, when these clients’ realtor reached out to the design duo with a request to help their Salt Lake City, UT client, Walsh and DeVries didn’t hesitate to delve in.

“Most of our projects aren’t actually located in our home states,” notes Walsh. “We work all over the country, including Salt Lake City, where we have been fortunate enough to have had a couple of projects.”

“This project was designed fully remote,” adds DeVries. “Our clients really trusted us in the design process. We also had a contractor who followed our finish schedules, elevations and renderings really well. Any questions that came up, we were able to answer via Facetime, phone call or text.”

OAK CABINETRY

Combines a mid-century modern and Scandinavian aesthetic

SIMPLE VENTILATION AND HOOD SURROUND

Contributes to the kitchen’s refined feel

PORCELAIN COUNTERTOP AND BACKSPLASH

Serve as a focal point for the space

Like designers who work closer to their homes, the entire renovation process began with discussions about what the client wanted. 

“These clients are two young professionals who both work in the medical field,” explains Walsh. “Plus, they have two kids under the age of five. They wanted their home to look elevated, but also be durable for daily living with two small children.”

To start, they entirely reworked the layout, enlarging the kitchen by extending it into the previous eat-in area. They also eliminated a pantry and opened up the adjacent staircase and living and dining rooms.

“The kitchen hadn’t been updated since the home was built, which was in the early ’70s,” offers DeVries. “The lighting was terrible, the kitchen was small and closed off, and the staircase divided the home. Now, the kitchen, the dining room, the entry and the living room are all open and connected to each other. This couple loves to entertain, so it’s nice that guests in one room can still be part of the conversation with those in another room.”

With a larger kitchen, their clients also gained more cabinet space, which was previously in limited supply.

“Now, they probably have more storage than they need, which is a great problem to have!” Walsh quips. “I don’t think she has even filled all of her cabinets yet!”

Repeating the porcelain as the backsplash continues the vertical view of the marble-look material. Extending it into a narrow shelf between the cooktop and ventilation hood creates a ‘wow’ factor.

Ashley Walsh and Maddy DeVries entirely reworked the kitchen layout and extended it into the previous eat-in area.

Because the rooms are visible to one another, the designers wanted to create continuity. As such, the custom kitchen cabinetry and built-in storage beneath the television, which wraps around the living room and morphs into bench seating beneath a window, are all clear-finished, knot-free oak. The cabinetry is accented with sleek, Honey Bronze bar-style hardware from Top Knobs. Its gold tone matches the Brizo Luxe Gold faucet at the Delta Faucet workstation sink.

“The home was built during what is considered mid-century, but it didn’t really have much of the expected original architectural charm of the time period,” Walsh relates. “But our clients did want to give a nod to the era. They also love the simplicity and natural color palette of Scandinavian design, which often brings a design back to the basics and pairs it down to what is most important. We felt that oak was a way to merge both aesthetics. Also, using a thin shaker detail, instead of a standard 2″ detail, gives the cabinetry a modern feel with a bit more sophistication than a flat panel.”

Durable focal point

The homeowners also wanted durable finishes, thus the incorporation of the Bedrosians Magnifica Encore Calacatta Macchia Vecchia porcelain countertops and backsplash. The material’s heavy veining delivers an elevated touch, which the designers contrasted with a honed finish that creates a more casual, lived-in aesthetic that resonates with the home’s mid-century design principles.

“Our clients were drawn to the look of marble, but its cost and lack of durability made it impractical for their home,” DeVries explains. “With their two young kids, they use their kitchen every day, so it was important for us to design a space that aligns with their aesthetic but also suits their dynamic lifestyle.”

Given the porcelain’s resemblance to marble, the ‘stone’ also becomes a focal point for the space, particularly on the island where its waterfall edges garner attention.

“When our clients walk into their home, the kitchen is slightly off to the right,” Walsh indicates. “We included waterfall edges on the island so they would see the beautiful ‘stone’ as soon as they walk in. The decision to incorporate the detail was crucial to the overall design, adding both depth and subtle contrast. Had the island been paneled, it would have fallen flat and disappeared with the cabinetry behind it. The waterfall edge also allows them to see the beautiful veining from all angles.”

The requested coffee station was moved from its original designation to an area between the kitchen and dining room, which allowed for the creation of a built-in planter for the husband’s plants to fill the space.

To continue a vertical view of the porcelain, the designers repeated it as the backsplash around the kitchen’s perimeter, extending it into a narrow shelf between the cooktop and ventilation hood to create a standout feature.

“It creates a ‘bookmark’ moment for the kitchen that adds a ‘wow’ factor without overwhelming the space,” says DeVries. “Also, using the same material for the island, perimeter and backsplash allows the material to speak for itself, rather than forcing it to compete with other materials.”

While the porcelain certainly stands out, it isn’t alone in creating the desired aesthetic for the kitchen.

“The finishes we paired with the porcelain tie everything together,” Walsh relates. “For instance, the white oak cabinetry complements the warm veining in the countertop and backsplash while the hardware and ventilation hood surround, which is deliberately simple, contribute to the refined, modern feel. The hood is a key component in the kitchen’s fresh aesthetic where its plaster finish allows a moment for your eyes to rest. Extending it to the ceiling also creates a sense of balance across the visual planes so that no one element overpowers another.”

Walsh and DeVries wanted to create continuity between the kitchen and living room, so the custom kitchen cabinetry and built-in storage beneath the TV – which wraps around the living room and morphs into bench seating beneath a window – are all clear-finished, knot-free oak.

Kitchen accessories

While much of the renovation project was executed seamlessly, even with its designers living remotely, there was one hiccup that required a reassessment. Originally the coffee station was positioned by the staircase so it would meld with the kitchen. However, it had to be moved when it was discovered that a measurement that had been provided to them had been taken incorrectly, which didn’t leave enough room for a walkway between it and the island.

“Our clients wanted a coffee station so we designed this custom, furniture-style piece that matches the kitchen cabinetry,” indicates DeVries. “But when we discovered that it wouldn’t fit, we reworked the layout and moved it to an area between the kitchen and dining room. In the end, it actually worked out perfectly because it carries the kitchen cabinetry closer to the dining room.”

The designers also utilized the coffee station’s original location, turning it into an indoor planter.

“The husband has a green thumb and a ton of plants,” Walsh adds. “We thought this was a great opportunity to create something special for him. It was a happy accident!”

Problem Solving for More Functional Living

From a number of perspectives, most rooms within the home just didn’t suit the new homeowners’ lifestyle. The primary bathroom was no different.

“There was only one sink, and the shower was so tiny and tight our clients couldn’t even lift up their arms,” Ashley Walsh explains.

During the renovation, Walsh and her design partner, Maddy DeVries, included a much more functional oak vanity with dual Kohler sinks and Brizo faucets set within a Taj Mahal quartzite countertop.

Moving the closet to the bedroom gave the designers space for a much larger shower, which is clad with Bedrosians’ Makoto matte ceramic tile in a mix of Umi Terracotta and Shoji White, the latter of which extends to the walls beyond the shower. Tilebar’s True Terrazzo Sonora Beige tile on the floor gives a nod to the home’s mid-century roots.

“We love how this bathroom came out,” says DeVries. “There is really much more problem-solving that goes into our jobs than most people realize. Design is so much more than just selecting pretty finishes that will look good in the space. It’s really about trying to find a solution for the home that allows it to work in a way that better suits our clients. This bathroom is a great example of that.”

The post Mid-century Modern Meets Scandinavian appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Located in a Lancaster, PA row home built circa 1800, this kitchen needed more than a facelift to meet its owners’ needs – it needed to be completely relocated. In keeping with the architectural conventions of its time, the kitchen was located far from the living areas in the front of the home: more of a working scullery than a space meant to be seen.

Due to heavy use and poor maintenance, the old kitchen had to be completely demolished and reconceived, requiring entirely new cabinetry, appliances and finishes, not to mention utility connections. 

AFTER

When designer Maiata Carlton and architect Brett Carlton of firm Marlo & Kroft took on this remodel, they approached it with an eye toward modernizing and improving functionality of the kitchen without sacrificing the historical flavor of the home.

First, however, the kitchen had to be relocated. Some creative solutions had to be implemented to make allowances for HVAC and other utility connections, as well as to make space for an exhaust line to avoid a recirculating hood. Adjacent windows at non-standard heights presented an additional challenge.

Integrating the HVAC necessitated a deep packed-out wall to house ductwork, while a dropped ceiling housed the exhaust. The low windowsills presented the perfect opportunity to incorporate a coffee station lower than average counter height, allowing the taller quartzite-wrapped waterfall peninsula and back counter to shine. The peninsula format provides plenty of seating for guests and casual dining.

Made-to-order cabinetry by German brand Form Kitchens features wall cabinets faced in black satin that transition to a more historic palette with a walnut millwork finish face on the surrounding cabinetry and hood, smartly blending the old and the new. 

The post Kitchen Travels Through Time (and Space) appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

Natural stone and quartz are often top of mind, but the list of choices is long enough that designers can find just the perfect fit. In some cases, that ideal fit may actually be a combination of finishes.

As part of this month’s focus on surfacing, KBDN asked designers to share kitchen projects that showcase a perfect countertop fit for their clients. 

Natural Stone: Quartzite

Ariel Apter, Principle Designer

Studio AA Interiors – Toronto, ON, Canada

Although located in the heart of Toronto’s bustling The Junction neighborhood, Ariel Apter’s clients wanted their cozy home to feel like they were revisiting the quaint and charming European countryside. Their newly purchased home had good ‘bones,’ but the homeowners wanted to revamp its design to better suit their style, so the designer completely gutted the main and second floors to transform them into her clients’ dream home.

As that related to the kitchen, she completely rethought the layout of the space. 

“We were able to increase the flow and give our clients a beautiful feature island, which is perfect for entertaining!” she relates.

Its subtle sage green base, which matches that of the perimeter’s base and wall cabinetry, is topped with Calacatta D’oro quartzite that features deep browns, taupes, golds and grays against a foundation of warm white. The island’s waterfall edges highlight the stone’s dramatic veining pattern that is on full display from the adjacent dining room. The designer repeated the sophisticated and timeless stone as the perimeter’s worktop surface. 

“Its bold gold veining is unique and luxurious,” Apter indicates, noting that its rich, warm hue complements the warmth and color of the unlacquered brass cabinetry hardware and plumbing fixtures, gold-tone gallery shelf rails and island pendant lights, and polished brass La Cornue range trim and knobs. “We also gave the stone a polished finish to help protect the surface and give it some glam that makes it pop!”

Another benefit of the stone is that its natural beauty brings the outdoors in, which is further supported by several other natural elements such as the custom herringbone floor, open shelves and select wood cabinetry interiors.

“The floors, green cabinetry, unlacquered brass fixtures, venetian plaster hood, range and, of course, the quartzite countertops, all come together to make this kitchen special,” she says. “With this renovation, there was almost no surface in this house that wasn’t touched, and we can’t wait to see our clients use this home for years to come!”

Natural Stone: Granite

Leslie Cohen, ASID, CID, NCIDQ, CKBD

Leslie Cohen Design – Raleigh, NC

This active family of four wanted to lighten up their kitchen, add color and make the space more functional since it is the center of daily living and entertaining in their home.

“The previous layout was cramped and dark with inadequate counter and storage space,” relates Leslie Cohen. “Changing this kitchen from a U-shape to one with an island opened up the space.”

A color scheme that includes a mix of blues, greens, whites and creams with wood creates a relaxing, organic, light and timeless aesthetic. Multiple counter surfaces define different areas of the kitchen and add character. Each selection was made for its ease of maintenance since meals are prepared throughout the day, every day.

“These clients travel a lot and food preparation includes not only traditional American dishes, but Indian, Thai and other Asian foods,” she explains.

The Blue Dunes granite perimeter counters offer a gorgeous medley of blues, browns and creams. The natural stone was also chosen to serve as the bench top in the ‘drop area’ because the family needed a durable surface for the endless amount of sports equipment that lands here. 

“Natural stone has been making a comeback for several years,” Cohen comments. “People love its beauty and depth. Plus, many granites don’t really need sealers, and those that do have many sealing options available, everything from impregnated sealers with a 10-year warranty to daily cleaners that seal and clean at the same time.

“Also, all sorts of beautiful granites have become available, due in part to shipping costs that have totally changed the market,” she continues. “It isn’t really worth it for a distributor to bring over cheap, boring granite anymore because the shipping costs have become a very high percentage of the overall cost of an inexpensive stone, which makes it unattractive to buyers. With more expensive stones, the shipping costs are a lower percentage of the overall cost, so buying more beautiful, higher-quality stones is more cost effective than buying lower quality stones.”

Cohen contrasted the granite with Cambria’s Skara Brae quartz for the island’s work surface.

“We wanted a lighter island with a non-granite pattern to differentiate it from the perimeter,” she explains. “When my client saw this pattern, it was a ‘go bold or go home’ moment!”

The designer used walnut to define the eating/socializing side of the island, giving it an L-shape to promote conversation between seated guests. She finished it with a conversion varnish so it can be wiped clean.

“The walnut also complements the browns in the Blue Dunes granite, while preventing the large island from feeling too massive,” she adds.

Sintered Stone

Emily Marek, Principal Designer

Emmy Couture Designs – Scottsdale, AZ

As a high-profile lifestyle influencer and mother of four kids, Emily Marek’s client wanted the kitchen countertop surfaces in her new-construction home to be durable.

“It’s a very busy kitchen,” she says. “She’s always cooking, so the durability and longevity of this sintered stone is important to her. Because of its composition, she won’t ever have to seal it, and it will never discolor, even if exposed to heat. These countertops can stand the test of time, too, and they will still look stunning years from now.”

This particular pattern, Himalaya Crystal, which is Neolith’s tribute to the salt crystals of the namesake summit, is also timeless, which is another quality she desired for her kitchen.

“It has a natural stone look to it,” the designer continues. “It has great depth with its veining pattern, which has all of the colors we were trying to pull out, like her cream-colored and gray cabinets and her gold-tone light fixtures.”

Available in ultrasoft, silk and polished finishes, Marek opted for the latter.

“We wanted the surfaces to really sparkle,” she explains. “A lot of natural stone countertops are polished and we wanted this sintered stone to have the same look and feel of natural stone.”

Using the material in multiple areas throughout the kitchen, including as the countertops for the prep and eating/serving islands, the perimeter and the backsplash, maintains a consistent aesthetic. 

“Seeing this material applied in a vertical aspect, like the backsplash, gives it a totally different look,” the designer relates. “My client wanted a simple backsplash, as well as something that was easy to clean. Because we didn’t need any grout, this single-slab backsplash accomplishes those goals. It also gives the cooking area, which features a beautiful plastered hood, an elevated look.”

Marek repeated the sintered stone as the buffet top in the adjacent breakfast nook and as the countertop surfaces in the prep kitchen. Tucked behind the cooking wall, this secondary kitchen includes a full-size refrigerator, ice maker, sink, dishwasher, microwave, double ovens and plenty of storage on open shelves and inside drawers.

Quartz

Maureen Jarock, Kitchen Designer

Kitchens of the South – Hendersonville, NC

Jennifer Scott, Interior Designer

Tyner Construction – Asheville, NC

Budgets are an integral parameter for any kitchen project, and designers work diligently within them when considering material selections and design elements for any kitchen renovation or new construction project. However, sometimes clients are willing to adjust those budgets, extending them to include certain aesthetic or functional items that are seen as important to the project.

Such was the case for these homeowners, who saw the value of allocating additional funds to include Polarstone’s Calacatta Vagli quartz as the island countertop for their new kitchen. The large island features an uninterrupted work surface for food prep and serving while an overhang allows for in-kitchen seating. Waterfall edges draw attention to the veining pattern and a 2.5″ folded mitered edge adds visual ‘heft.’

“The island material and thickened edge was over budget,” explains Jennifer Scott. “However, the homeowners understood the importance of the statement that it makes.”

For the perimeter, Cambria’s Devon quartz, configured with shades of gray and black, serves as a contrast and complement with its darker hue and more monochromatic design. Its matte finish offers distinction to the polished finish given to the Calacatta Vagli surface.

The design duo extended the quartz as the backsplash behind the range to provide a seamless aesthetic and create an easy-to-clean surface. It continues behind the sink and into an illuminated niche that offers additional workspace. As well, they featured it as the countertop in the adjacent dry bar and walk-in pantry where its non-porous composition offers stain resistance from spills.

“The countertop selections were created to marry the modern architecture articulated by the form of the home with the immortal elegance of a natural stone look,” says Scott. “The sleek, earth-tone perimeter and backsplash coupled with the timeless look of Calacatta marble for the island create a modern-meets-timeless design.”

That design theme is further supported by upper cabinetry that extends to the ceiling and is uniquely the same depth as the lower cabinets.

“It was a challenge to make sure all of the cabinetry was at the same depth, including the panels that extend to the ceiling, which at its highest point is 14′,” emphasizes Jarock. “As well,
we considered many stain colors and finally landed on this warm yet light, earthy tone that complements the countertop selections.”

Nate Nicodemus, AIA, Owner/Founder

Nicodemus Design – La Jolla, CA

These homeowners love mid-century modern design and the neighborhood in which they reside. So, when a fire tragically destroyed their home, they wanted to show respect to both when they rebuilt.

“We wanted the kitchen, and the home at large, to honor the mid-century history of the neighborhood,” says Nate Nicodemus. “We designed a contemporary home, but with a lot of the historic style used as inspiration. This led us to celebrate natural wood grain [white oak cabinetry and floors], exposed structural elements [beams that span the kitchen from the exterior], pops of color [yellow pendant lights] and bold, fun countertops [quartz that resembles terrazzo]. Embracing a minimalist palette and detailing highlights the important design elements that remain.”

While mid-century modernism is heavily influenced by minimalism and is characterized by clean, simple lines, it also is not shy about personality and color, he points out. That’s where the Arizona Tile Della Terra quartz countertops, used on both the island and perimeter, come into play. The Aerial pattern resembles terrazzo and provides a moment of fun/personality while balancing out the restraint. 

“A countertop is something people interact with closely and regularly,” he indicates. “It is touched and examined up close every day so it’s nice to have a layer of detail for the spaces where we slow down. The varied quartz pebbles provide that in this case. At a distance, the countertops have a fun field effect, but up close you notice the intricacies of each of the individual pieces.”

This particular pattern also includes many of the colors Nicodemus used throughout the home.

“The warm hues echo the white oak and some of the warmer tones we used in the kitchen and in the rest of the home,” he continues. “While I wanted a minimal color palette, I wanted to have some fun textural choices, too.”

Wood

Miriam Silver Verga, Principle Designer

Mimi & Hill – Westfield, NJ

Miriam Silver Verga is well-known for her ability to incorporate islands into her kitchen designs, sometimes even when all hope seems lost. So, when these homeowners came to her with a desire for the foundational and room-defining design element in their historic home, she was happy to oblige.

“When I started my design firm 15 years ago, these homeowners were one of my first clients so it was a joy to finally get to renovate their kitchen, which was long overdue since it hadn’t been done in probably 30 or 40 years,” she relates. “They didn’t think they would be able to have an island because the kitchen was pretty narrow. That meant we would have to forego cabinetry on one side, which then meant we would need to have a very long island to give them the storage space and seating they needed.”

Even with the challenges, Verga persevered. Not only did she include an island, but she included one that is 12′ in length.

Another of Verga’s defining design techniques is creating seamless island countertops, even those with extended dimensions. One way she accomplishes that is to use a variety of materials, which provides for an expected and accepted seam. In this case, she used walnut butcher block on one end. It sits atop an oak cabinet that is slightly taller than the rest of the island, which features a seamless slab of LX Hausys’ Viatera Minuet quartz.

“There is such a richness to walnut that people are really attracted to right now,” she says. “It adds a layer of provenance, which is especially important when someone wants something that feels historic and timeless, which is what these clients wanted.”

The designer often uses natural stone in her designs, especially quartzite. However, these clients wanted something extremely durable, thus the Minuet quartz. As a way to include natural stone, Verga opted for Black Vermont granite for the perimeter worktop surface.

“It’s a great durable stone at a really good price point,” she relates. “This particular one is a solid black, which is what we wanted for this installation, but there are some very interesting black granites with white and brown veins, and there are even some that have a marble feel. We’ve seen some really beautiful granites, and we’ve been using them more and more.”

Porcelain

Mitra Shahi, Construction Manager/Interior Designer

Shahi Design Group – Los Angeles, CA

Mitra Shahi’s client enjoys getting together on the weekends for family meals with her parents at their home in Los Angeles. Those events are made even more pleasant with the recent renovation of the entire first floor, which included tearing down a wall to create an open-concept living area and thoughtful kitchen with high-end appliances and custom cabinetry. At its heart is a spacious, 12′-long island topped with a seamless slab of Statuario Michelangelo porcelain. 

“She wanted a large island to maximize countertop and work space,” says the designer. “She also wanted low-maintenance finishes that would be easy for her aging parents, who are in their 80s and 90s, to take care of. I frequently use porcelain slabs because they are more durable than natural stone.”

Shahi chose a honed finish for the porcelain, which gives it a more natural appearance and minimizes glare from natural light that flows into the room from the patio doors and abundant windows. Choosing a porcelain slab pattern with a bit of veining keeps the space from looking too sterile given its foundation of bright white and white/gray three-dimensional ledger stone backsplash. Gold-toned cabinetry hardware and lighting fixtures as well as wood-look porcelain flooring, which features a custom decorative pattern, also add warmth to the space.

“She wanted something with a bit of movement so it would look natural, but not be too busy,” she explains. “This particular pattern gives a luxurious, sophisticated look to the space.”

Although manmade, porcelain slabs, like natural stone, are each unique, so Shahi took her client to the local stone yard to select those that suited her taste. Since she used porcelain for the island, perimeter and adjacent walk-in pantry, which also features the same custom cabinetry and backsplash tile as the kitchen, she needed multiple slabs. 

“It’s a lot of fun to pick out the perfect slab,” she says. “Each one is a little bit different.

“This kitchen was such a joy to design,” Shahi adds. “My client grew up in this home, and she loved being able to give her mother a beautiful space to cook. They all look forward to enjoying the home for many more generations.”

Stainless Steel

Jennie Bishop, Co-Founder

Studio Gild – Chicago, IL

Working with repeat clients can oftentimes streamline the design process since both parties are already familiar with each other. So, when this client requested stainless steel countertops for the renovated kitchen in his former live/work loft space located in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood, Jennie Bishop wasn’t necessarily surprised. 

“I have done six projects with this client, both in New York and Colorado, and this is his second or third kitchen with stainless steel countertops,” she indicates. “He’s very exacting and knowledgeable, and he knows what he wants. He’s an attorney and an art collector, but he’s also a self-taught chef who loves
to cook.”

While her client appreciates the material’s stain resistance and anti-microbial properties, he is also familiar with its susceptibility to scratching.

“Stainless steel falls into a category of ‘authentic’ materials,” says Bishop. “Over time, he will be able to see his favorite place to cut veggies. That can be a beautiful thing…for people like this client who crave authenticity and are accepting of materials that develop a patina.”

In addition to topping the perimeter and island, the latter of which features waterfall edges and an integrated sink, stainless steel makes an appearance in several places throughout the kitchen, including as the backsplash behind the range, as the cabinetry faces and as the island façade. As well, stainless steel with a brushed finish serves as the ventilation hood surround that soars to the ceiling. 

Because stainless steel can be considered a ‘cold’ design element, both physically and aesthetically, Bishop warmed up the space with a floor-to-ceiling wall of cabinetry sheathed in an off-white paint. The adjacent brick wall, a holdout from the building’s 1865 construction, is also painted a warm white, which is a bit transparent and distressed just enough to allow part of the brown brick to shine through. The wood floor and an abundance of natural light add further warmth to the space.

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When Antonio Matrēs first connected with this client, he quickly realized that her reasons ran much deeper than anything purely physical. For her, changes were emotional as well as poignant.

“When we first met, she told me she had just lost her husband to suicide and she wanted to get new furniture to freshen up the New York City apartment she shared with her daughters,” says the owner/founder of Antonio Matrēs Design who does design/build work throughout New York City and Madrid, Spain. “But as we talked, in one case for more than five hours over several cups of coffee, she realized she was ready to not only get new furniture but also explore a full renovation of her entire home so everything would be new.”

Plans called for a complete demolition of the apartment, down to its bones. The kitchen would be opened up, yet downsized a bit so one of the bedrooms, which features a configuration that is the only one of its kind in the entire apartment building, could be made larger. Two other bedrooms, including the primary bedroom and bathroom, a dining room, a living room, a foyer and two additional bathrooms were also slated for updates. Then the COVID pandemic hit. 

“We got the final approval to start construction, only to be halted shortly after by the city for almost a year,” he recalls. “She questioned her decision to renovate and briefly thought about putting everything back like it was. But we persevered through the challenges.”

• OAK CABINETRY Offers a connection to nature and grounds the space
• ROOM-DEFINING ISLAND Delineates the kitchen within the open floor plan
• BLACK METAL ACCENTS Minimize the abundance of ‘cold’ metals by adding warmth

• LEFT At the heart of this apartment’s transformation is a neutral color palette that runs throughout the home. In the kitchen, that design theme is supported by white oak floors and solid oak custom cabinetry, the latter of which features a white-wash stain and slab-style, handleless doors and drawers that promote a clean aesthetic.
• RIGHT Tearing down walls opened up the kitchen to the dining room to promote open-concept living. A perimetrical floating console, crafted from the same oak as the kitchen cabinetry, runs throughout the kitchen, dining room and living room and hides the HVAC system. It also provides the family with much-needed extra storage.

Creating a Vessel for Healing

At the heart of the transformation is a neutral color palette that runs throughout the home. It is complemented with custom cabinetry, furniture and one-of-a-kind accessories, such as radiators designed by Matrēs. 

“The overall design is unique, harmonious and serves as a vessel for healing and change,” he relates.

In the kitchen, that design theme is supported by white oak floors and solid oak custom cabinetry, the latter of which features a white-wash stain and slab-style, handleless doors and drawers that promote a clean aesthetic. A panel for the Miele refrigerator conceals its existence along the perimeter wall. The Miele range’s ventilation hood is also tucked behind a panel that is flanked by matching wall cabinets to create a seamless aesthetic that extends the length of the wall. A perimetrical floating console, crafted from the same oak as the kitchen cabinetry, runs throughout the kitchen, dining room and living room and hides the HVAC system. It also provides the family with much-needed extra storage.

“Every millwork element was designed and custom made to perfectly fit her needs,” Matrēs explains. “Each one needed to be beautiful and functional, with the floor, cabinetry and furniture pieces stained to match to bring the space together.

“Using all-wood cabinetry, rather than including any painted pieces, grounds the space and gives it warmth,” he continues. “Also, being able to see the grain pattern in the wood offers a connection to nature, and a connection to something that is handmade by someone who took great care to make it. Even if you don’t know who that person is, when a piece is made with wood, it creates a special connection, which helps my client and her daughters feel better when they are in the space.”

Minimizing an abundance of any ‘cold’ metals also adds warmth to the space, so the designer opted for a black Kohler kitchen faucet, which matches the black Miele range and Blanco sink. A trio of black pendants hovers above the island and coordinates with a quartet of pendants from ferm LIVING, in an attractive mix of sizes, above the dining table. All are complemented with dark, chocolate-colored quartz countertops and backsplash.

Tearing down walls, including those that once divided the kitchen into two spaces as well as those that separated it from the living and dining rooms, opened up the kitchen and made it possible to include a room-defining island with seating.

“I kept all of the spaces open, rather than having individual rooms, so having one wall of cabinetry and an island is sufficient for the kitchen,” he remarks.

Custom Design Features

Matrēs continued the neutral palette into the bathrooms, two of which feature floating white-washed oak vanities custom designed by Scarabeo Ceramiche. Shelves beneath the sinks provide storage. Custom radiators, designed by Matrēs, are functional as well as beautiful. Their black finish matches other black accents, including shower and window trim and Cocoon wall-mount faucets.

“The previous radiators just didn’t fit with the new design, so we worked with a metal fabricator to create these custom radiators,” he explains. “They look like sculptural waves along the wall and they match the flowing, wave-shaped lights [custom designed by Hot Wire Extensions]. They are unique, beautiful and functional.” 

Neutral-colored handmade tile from Fireclay Tile sheaths the walls and showers while oversized mirrors above the vanities make the rooms feel larger.

The third bathroom is a small space that, at one time in the apartment’s historical past, was likely used by a maid. It is just big enough for a toilet, shower and very small, yet functional, sink. The latter is accented with a black, wall-mount faucet that matches the black window and shower trim. 

“While this renovation was a delicate process with a sad but touching backstory, it shows how therapeutic and transformative interior design can be,” Matrēs relates. “There was a time when my client could barely get out of bed, and the daughters were reluctant to invite any friends to the apartment. But now everyone has their own new space designed specifically for them, which they can also share with family and friends. We took a home replete with painful memories and transformed it into a fresh canvas for a family starting anew.”

• The neutral color palette is extended into the primary bathroom where a floating oak vanity is complemented with neutral handmade tile on the walls and in the shower. The custom black radiator is designed to look like a sculptural wave along the wall.

• LEFT This small bathroom space, which at one time in the apartment’s historical past was likely used by a maid, is just big enough for a toilet, shower and very small, yet functional, sink.
• RIGHT This bathroom, designed for one of the daughters, includes a custom-designed radiator that complements the waves of the vanity light. An oversized vanity mirror helps make the room feel larger.

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“The entire home was designed and built with good health and well-being in mind,” says Amy Storm, owner/principal designer, Amy Storm & Company in Glen Ellyn, IL, who worked with Greenside Design Build and Moment Design to bring the dream to fruition. “All of the decisions that were made – everything from how the home was framed to the materials, finishes and fabrics, even any paint, sealer, etc. – were approved by an outside consultant who specialized in healthy materials. We wanted to ensure that everything we sourced met the strictest health standards. That meant we had to ask a lot of questions, and in some cases, find new trade partners to meet these high standards. 

“Each of us learned and grew our knowledge and skill sets around healthy home building products and procedures,” she continues. “Many products are in the marketplace, but are hard to find, generally more expensive and never just ‘so easy’ to spec. However, when a client is passionate about something, so are we!”

As that health-focused objective evolved in the kitchen, the team even paid close attention to where they positioned appliances, strategically locating them so they wouldn’t have any negative impacts on health, the designer relates. As well, an abundance of windows and doors, which encompasses an entire wall floor-to-ceiling, maximizes the amount of natural light that flows into the space to minimize the amount of artificial lighting needed during the day. 

“And, since the home is positioned and landscaped to offer privacy, we didn’t really need to put any window treatments on the back of the house,” she adds. “We were able to allow those windows to bring in a ton of natural light. Also, the doors, which lead to the patio, give them easy access to the backyard where they can sit and enjoy the outdoors.”

With regard to materials, a focus on health led to choices such as the natural stone slabs, specifically Bettogli Superiore quartzite, selected for the countertops, the backsplash behind the BlueStar range and the accent behind the open shelves.

“We chose quartzite because it is a natural material, rather than something that is manmade,” Storm explains. “This particular quartzite also has an aesthetic benefit because it has such depth to it. When you look at it on the surface, it looks white, but as you look deeper you find dark blues and browns beneath. That depth is such a beautiful characteristic of quartzite, in general. It has so many layers, colors and textures within it.”

• Wall of Windows: Allows an abundance of natural light to flow into the kitchen
• Bettogli Superiore Quartzite: Echoes the home’s exterior colors to provide continuity inside
• Copper Details: Add warmth to the space

Promoting Continuity

Inspiration for the quartzite, as well as for many other finishes throughout the home, came from the home’s exterior and its wooded lot location.

“The home’s exterior is clad with a really beautiful stone with a lot of color,” she says. “Besides the typical buffs, tans and creams, it also has dark blues and grays. We brought that same stone into the foyer and lined one of its walls as a way to connect the inside of the house to the outside. This Bettogli Superiore quartzite also has those same colors, so when my clients walk into their kitchen, the space feels very connected to the rest of home. It’s all very fluid.”

Continuing the palette, Storm repeated the stone’s colors elsewhere in the kitchen, including as the custom Hoosier House cabinetry, which, since there aren’t any upper cabinets, is customized for optimum functionality. A classic white, Benjamin Moore’s White Heron, echoes the stone’s background and dominates as the perimeter cabinetry, which includes a tall pantry for dish storage and as panels for the Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer. A dark blue hue, Benjamin Moore’s Raccoon Fur, is featured on the super-sized island.

“The island is huge!” she relates. “It’s the size of two king mattresses side by side. You do need some go-go gadget arms for cleaning the middle, but it has appliances, seating and lots of storage built in all around it, so it is highly functional, fits perfectly in the space and is quite stunning with its natural stone top.”

To provide further continuity, the designer continued the blue hue as wing walls along the cooking and perimeter walls.

“We designed the cabinetry to be captured within the wing walls to give it a built-in feel,” she explains. 

Dark hues continue within the space via a pair of custom light fixtures from The Urban Electric Co. that hover above the island. As well, the BlueStar range showcases a deep, dark blue finish with stainless steel trim and copper knobs and handles. 

“We loved the copper accents on the range so we invited that detailing into the rest of the kitchen,” Storm relates. “For example, we lined the hood over the range, and we incorporated some copper into the shelves along the perimeter wall. It is just enough to make it feel super intentional and to connect all the parts and pieces of the kitchen and add some beautiful warmth.”

Features for the Whole Family

Storm carried the dark blue cabinetry color from the main kitchen into the working pantry to make the spaces feel connected. Tucked behind the cooking wall, the pantry is conveniently accessed to one side of the range.

“This home was designed to not only be functional for the husband, wife and kids who are still living at home, but also for the college-age kids when they come home so there are a lot of bathroom/bedroom ensuites and the basement is outfitted with a ping pong table, golf simulator, bar and even a workout room and guest spaces,” she relates. “One of their daughters also loves to bake, so the scullery was created for her.”

A wall of windows allows natural light to flow into the room where the daughter can make her creations on the Caesarstone Piatra Grey quartz countertop below. A nearby sink allows for easy cleanup. A cabinet with folding and recessing doors conceals small appliances and convenient shelving, while a wealth of storage in base cabinetry drawers keeps baking supplies close at hand. A pair of JennAir refrigerator drawers keeps perishable items and beverages cold. Retaining space for a stool gives her a place to dream about her next masterpiece.

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