Walnut and Marble Combine in a Work-of-Art Kitchen
The redesign of a Southern California kitchen showcases the owner’s art collection and makes the space more inviting
After: The biggest design change was removing the peninsula and installing an island. The design team said this change helped with the room’s flow and feel.
Island: The “four-faced marble island functioned as a modern sculptural block within the kitchen,” Myers says.
But it also functioned as extra storage. Across from the sink, pull-out cabinets can be opened with finger pulls that are disguised into the marble. The space includes room enough for the homeowner’s pots and pans.
Art: Myers incorporated pieces of the homeowner’s art collection into the kitchen, such as the two pieces hanging on each side of the sink.
Pendant light: Geometric Tri LED, Design Within Reach
Island: The “four-faced marble island functioned as a modern sculptural block within the kitchen,” Myers says.
But it also functioned as extra storage. Across from the sink, pull-out cabinets can be opened with finger pulls that are disguised into the marble. The space includes room enough for the homeowner’s pots and pans.
Art: Myers incorporated pieces of the homeowner’s art collection into the kitchen, such as the two pieces hanging on each side of the sink.
Pendant light: Geometric Tri LED, Design Within Reach
Cabinets and shelves: Myers surrounded the statement-making island with walnut cabinetry and Calacatta gold marble countertops. In place of upper cabinets, the designer installed floating shelves to keep the space from feeling heavy. This also works because the homeowner already had enough storage elsewhere in the kitchen.
Countertop: The light-colored marble, with its fluid striations, complements the rich wood cabinetry and shelves and adds balance to the room, Myers says.
Serving board: Acacia wood board, Exir
Countertop: The light-colored marble, with its fluid striations, complements the rich wood cabinetry and shelves and adds balance to the room, Myers says.
Serving board: Acacia wood board, Exir
The marble countertop continues midway up the wall to create a backsplash.
The stone surface also helps reflect the natural light around the room, making the design that much more refreshing.
Faucet and sink: BLANCO
The stone surface also helps reflect the natural light around the room, making the design that much more refreshing.
Faucet and sink: BLANCO
Appliances: The wall across from the sink holds the homeowner’s other appliances and cabinets. To create a cohesive look, the design team used the same walnut material for the cabinets. The custom cabinetry stretches from floor to ceiling and also allowed the design team to camouflage the larger appliances.
The owner wanted to “literally surround himself in wood that he can touch,” Myers says.
Woodipedia: Walnut Wows in Traditional and Modern Settings
The owner wanted to “literally surround himself in wood that he can touch,” Myers says.
Woodipedia: Walnut Wows in Traditional and Modern Settings
After: The kitchen now opens directly to the dining area, making the space more inviting and comfortable.
Lighting: When arranging the lighting, the design team suddenly had to halt work. They had planned to have a symmetrical grid of recessed lighting, but something in the ceiling wasn’t allowing them to install the lights in the grid pattern they wanted. To figure out what the problem was, Myers said they had to open up the ceiling. There, they found a sound system that had been buried within the plaster. “We cut it out, patched the ceiling and were able to align all the grids,” Myers says. “Phew.”
Find kitchen and dining room lighting
Lighting: When arranging the lighting, the design team suddenly had to halt work. They had planned to have a symmetrical grid of recessed lighting, but something in the ceiling wasn’t allowing them to install the lights in the grid pattern they wanted. To figure out what the problem was, Myers said they had to open up the ceiling. There, they found a sound system that had been buried within the plaster. “We cut it out, patched the ceiling and were able to align all the grids,” Myers says. “Phew.”
Find kitchen and dining room lighting
Dining area: The designer added vintage flair to the dining area by hanging a Danish chandelier above the table. It gives the space an “element of scruff and character [next] to the pristine kitchen,” Myers says.
Sconces: Double cone, Lawson-Fenning; dining chairs: Saarinen executive side chair, Design Within Reach
Sconces: Double cone, Lawson-Fenning; dining chairs: Saarinen executive side chair, Design Within Reach
The banquette behind the dining table extends the use of the room by giving the homeowner a place to lounge. The oak panels were created to fit the back wall of the banquette, adding an extra bit of texture.
Cabinetry: Ed Marshall of Design Consulting
More
Kitchen of the Week: Open Concept Brings In Light and Views
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Other Resources
Browse the most recent kitchen photos on Houzz
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Cabinetry: Ed Marshall of Design Consulting
More
Kitchen of the Week: Open Concept Brings In Light and Views
Read more kitchen makeover stories
Other Resources
Browse the most recent kitchen photos on Houzz
See kitchen and dining products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who uses it: An art collector
Location: Santa Monica, California
Size: 400 square feet (37.2 square meters)
Designer: Natalie Myers
Contractors: Mario and Marisela Arechiga of New Generation Home Improvements
The backstory: The homeowner had lived with his kitchen for 35 years and wanted an upgrade, says Mario Arechiga, one of the contractors who worked on the project. “He’s an art collector,” Mario says, and “he wanted to make his kitchen almost like a piece of art.” Mario collaborated with contractor Marisela Arechiga and designer Natalie Myers to transform the kitchen and dining area into a functional, standout space.