Lakeside Home

Thick slabs of sand-textured granite and quarter-sawn white oak cabinets, equipped with special compartments for things such as cutting boards and plastic container lids, replaced old, sun-exposed cabinetry. A major transformation happened when the the low-height partition, separating the family room and kitchen was knocked down to allow in more light and warmth from the west-facing windows. The placement of the stovetop was adjusted to assist the left-handed couple, and a large 4-foot by 8-foot backing counter was added for the girls. SZ made 'homes' for everything in the kitchen, from a state-of-the-art Miele integrated coffee station for Cameron to special cabinets for the Dean & Deluca spices that Linda likes to use. To accommodate Linda's petite stature, the countertops were set at a lower height. SZ even designed cereal-box-specific cabinets to ensure that everything would fit just right. Low-voltage strip lighting, operated with dimmers, borders every glass cabinet and spotlights the couple's funky '60s-inspired Jill Rosenwald ceramic serving pieces and a favorite clay sculpture entitled Love Entwined that they bought in Paris. Today, the kitchen is almost unrecognizable from its former self. A dramatic evolution from stark and imposing to bright and spacious the clean lines and warm tones still give the family-functional space a grown-up edge. "if we're not hosting a charity event or inviting a group of 20 kindergartners over for a party, you'll still find all of us int the kitchen," says Linda. "Except how it feels right. The kitchen has our personalities stamped all over it." Not to mention a few handprints from three little girls.'