kitchen
Long, Linear Backsplash Tile White subway tile is a classic look for a kitchen backsplash, but many homeowners are searching for a modern twist on the material. White ceramic 4-by-12-inch tile appears to be the answer. The rectangular shape lends a timeless feel, while the elongated form creates a fresh, updated style. Backsplash tile with a subtle wavy or crackle glaze finish will add texture, while a herringbone pattern can give even more spin on the design, as was done in this Raleigh, North Carolina, kitchen built by Beacon Street.
Thick Is a Popular Pick The standard thickness for an engineered stone or natural stone countertop from a manufacturer is 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches). But custom countertops can be specified to just about any thickness a homeowner wants. Katsis, the Toronto kitchen remodeler, is currently loving the look of countertops with thick edges. “We mostly design with 1½-inch- or even 2-inch-thick edges,” he says. “They give the counters visual weight and make them look more expensive and substantial.” “I want my countertops to be seen and provide a contrast to the surrounding materials,” says Lord, the Denver designer, who likes to “beef up the edges” of the countertops in her current kitchen remodels.
For example, instead of rounded corners, the matte black Shaker apron-front fireclay sink from Shaws shown here features a more modern rectangular shape with squared-off sides and thinner walls. The sink currently comes in white and parchment fireclay colors. Matte black and matte gray will be available in June 2021.
The appliances are also modern additions, including this range from Wolf. A beautiful stainless steel custom hood with brass straps ties the appliances into the design scheme. Zaveloff tucked a new stainless steel fridge into the corner just out of frame on the right. This placement keeps the large appliance from dominating the room.
Drawer and cabinet organizers. It’s getting rare these days to open a cabinet and see a basic cavity with a shelf, or a drawer that’s merely empty space. Inserts, rollouts, pullouts and dedicated dividers maximize capacity and organize everything efficiently. Rev-a-Shelf’s new 4WTMD drawer system is intended to get a household’s junk drawer in order. The natural maple tiered insert fits standard 24-inch-wide and 22-inch-deep drawers and has pull-up trays and adjustable dividers.
3. “Skinny Shaker” cabinet fronts. Shaker-style cabinets are by far the most popular style chosen by homeowners for their kitchens. In fact, more than 60% of renovating homeowners will go with Shaker-style cabinets, according to Houzz research. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for variation. One subtle alteration to Shaker style we’ve seen this year is what’s referred to as “skinny,” “slim” or “thin” Shaker. Basically, the thickly profiled stiles and rails of a traditional Shaker cabinet front are slimmed down to ultrathin profiles, creating a style that’s not quite Shaker but not quite modern slab-front, either.
With the flexibility of today’s separate column refrigerators and freezers, we were able to break them up and integrate them seamlessly.” Panel fronts that match the cabinetry camouflage the appliances. Zaveloff balanced the 30-inch fridge she specified with a pretty glass china cabinet that sits atop the counter next to it.
wood cabinets
The design team chose a warm historic gray-beige (Rockport Gray by Benjamin Moore) for the custom maple cabinets and drawers with Shaker-style inset doors. “We wanted to keep the aesthetic fairly clean,” Robertson says. “The homeowner had seen this color in my lineup and thought it was a really pretty complement to the green outside, and she knew she didn’t want white.”
open back glass cabinet
Wood bottom, white above Richly stained knotty hickory wood cabinets warm the otherwise cool palette. The floor is red oak.
Unlacquered brass starts out with a bright gold finish and develops a darker patina over time.
Range backsplash tile in an arched frame. The tile is Bianco onyx and Thassos marble in a polished water jet-cut pattern resembling lily pads.
Other special features. Walnut lower cabinets. Gray upper cabinets (Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore). European oak flooring with a black resin fill for the knots. Bustamante used the same flooring for the toe kick to give the cabinets a floating effect. The peninsula countertop swoops out to create a small shelf space. Designer tip. “The use of Ralph Lauren striped fabric in the upper window of the wall cabinets gives a layer of added texture not typically seen in a space as utilitarian as a kitchen,” Bustamante says. “Mounted on the back side of clear glass, the fabric will remain pristine for years.” Countertop: Silestone in Eternal Statuario with suede finish; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Snowbound, Sherwin-Williams
Cabinet paint: Damask; island paint: Lead; wall paint: Ammonite, Farrow & Ball
Brass outlets
Cabinets are alder w oil rubbed bronze hardware
Cabinets
Red birch cabinetry
window
The new windows over the sink are larger than the old one was. They meet the countertop beautifully and they crank open, which makes it easy for my parents to open and close them. (My mother is big on fresh air.) The windows look out on a small orchard I designed when I was a landscape architecture student. “Expanding the window even just a little bit made a big difference,” my mom says. “It feels so much bigger and brighter.” The countertops are White Rhino quartzite with a leathered finish. The leathered finish is textured and honed and is easier to keep looking clean than a polished finish. The designers didn’t have much trouble talking my parents into splurging on the beautiful bridge faucet. It truly serves as “the jewelry of the room,” as Warner put it. My mother also told the designers she wanted something different from a white farmhouse sink. She wanted the sink cabinetry to come out from the rest of the cabinets, as in this inspiration photo from the ideabook. They sourced a nice stainless steel undermount sink. Faucet: Easton in polished nickel, Waterworks; sink: Pro series undermount kitchen sink, Nantucket Sinks
This beautiful gas model is by Ilve.
quartz Dekton’s Helena, also in its Avantgarde collection and shown here as shower wall and vanity cladding, has a translucent appearance in whites and grays, inspired by natural onyx.
painted inside cabinet
2. Add a Magic Corner Another great storage solution is a “smart” corner with pullout shelves, Lazy Susans or wire shelves on tracks, such as this unit from specialized hardware-maker Richelieu. Use these nifty storage solutions to gain access to otherwise wasted space, where you can keep large pots and pans, small appliances and other bulky items. They tuck into cabinets nicely and provide easy access when needed, helping to create a more organized kitchen.
stove placement
dishwasher? kitchen aid?
along side the fridge
The countertops are soapstone
Other details include a true cabinet-depth fridge (24 inches) by Liebherr,
Supporting elements. Medicus added painted cabinetry (White Dove by Benjamin Moore), giving the kitchen a light, bright feel that suits its openness to the outdoors thanks to the large windows. Cabinetry hardware with an antique finish and used leather pulls add a touch of the American West to the space. A mixture of warm metals — a copper faucet and lighting with brass accents — complements the wood and adds a curated flavor to the space. The counters are oak and gray quartz. Why it works. Mixed countertop materials and hardware, as well as warm metallic fixtures, give this farmhouse kitchen a cool factor that keeps it from feeling too country. Durability. Quartersawn white oak has benefits compared with plain-sawn white oak (covered in the first kitchen). It’s less likely to expand, contract or warp; it ages evenly over time; and it’s more resistant to moisture.
Cabinet pulls: Armac Martin
corner cabinets
The sink is in the island. The aged brass faucet works well with the Shaker cabinetry. Mayes notes that its curve echoes the curved bar stools, corbels and breakfast bar “to add some softness.” Deck-mounted faucet with cross handles in aged brass: Perrin & Rowe
cooktop w slide in oven
panel on refrigerator
wood counter, marble island (reverse)
corner cabinet
door glass
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