Before

After an unfortunate fire that destroyed this Pasadena, CA home, the rebuild was created with an eye toward fireproofing, resulting in a construction of steel, cinderblock and glass. While the industrial feel of the home and, accordingly, the master bath, created unique visual and structural features such as rounded spaces and interesting angles, the bath still needed some additional pizzazz.

After 

Because of the cinderblock and steel walls, the design team at Anderson Reconstruction, working with the client, encountered challenges when relocating electrical and plumbing elements. Additionally, the ceiling height made heating the space quickly very difficult. The solutions required ingenuity – an exterior access panel was created for the tub plumbing for any necessary adjustments, while a wall heater was built into the lower cabinet next to the tub since it could not be placed into the cinderblock wall. 

Wavy blue glass Arizona Tile subway tile, linear honed marble flooring and glass light fixtures, combined with the angled windows, add a sense of lightness and airiness to what was a heavy industrial space. A Hydro Systems tub with Graff faucet provides a luxurious place to unwind after a long day, while custom cabinetry designed and built in-house allows for ample storage.

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Oftentimes those ‘breathers’ occur in primary bathrooms, where a long soak in a sculptural tub or a rejuvenating shower under a cascade of ‘rain’ can melt away the stresses of a day. But these days, it isn’t only the bathroom where that transformation can happen. Instead, the entire primary ensuite serves as a refuge designed to make life not only easier, but more restful as well. 

This month, KBDN asked designers to share primary ensuites with amenities that are meant to soothe the soul.

Focus on function first

Kirby Foster Hurd has found that homes, in general, have become more focused on health, wellness and relaxation. That perception is especially prevalent in today’s primary ensuites.

“It’s probably another product of COVID and having to be at home,” says the owner/principal designer for Kirby Home Designs in Edmond, OK. “People feel the need to create unique spaces that bring a sense of calm when the world can feel a bit chaotic.”

Typically, the primary ensuites she designs include a bedroom and bathroom and, when space allows, a large closet. She has also seen people include sitting areas, workout spaces and laundry solutions. Even flexible work spaces can be incorporated.

Regardless of what’s included, Hurd stresses the importance of focusing on the spatial design first, before making any of the typically more enjoyable material selections.

“Sometimes people get ahead of themselves,” she explains. “But it’s of the utmost importance to think about the layout, which, when done right, can enhance lives and make them easier.”

That concept was particularly illustrative in a recent renovation where the designer, in collaboration with Acklin Construction, completely reconfigured a primary bathroom and adjacent his/her closets. The previous bathroom, although spacious, was not well thought out or functional. A small shower was one of the first things people noticed when they entered the room, and two odd-shaped peninsulas served as the vanities, which meant there were no functional mirrors. Additionally, the toilet room was located at the far end of the bathroom, making nighttime treks inconvenient. 

One of the key improvements included supersizing the shower. Hurd also moved it to a more discreet location and included a variety of showerheads, a bench and a niche. Cladding it with blue/gray ceramic tile gives it a calm, spa-like feel and sets off the gold-toned plumbing fixtures.

A double vanity, positioned to take advantage of natural light from the skylight and an adjacent oversized window, streamlines the floorplan. Additional storage is provided by a custom, furniture-style linen hutch.

“Maximizing storage is another big client request,” Hurd says. “I always look at the space and consider how I can elevate it with better storage. Maybe there’s an opportunity for a linen cabinet or floating shelves or open shelves with baskets. And with vanities, it’s always important to make sure there’s enough storage for individualized needs.”

Since the previous bathroom was so large, Hurd was able to allocate about four feet of it to the newly reconfigured closet, which is now one shared space rather than separate his/her spaces. The designer also moved the toilet room into a portion of the space that was previously his closet, making it more accessible to the bedroom.

“I’m a big fan of having the water closet close to the primary bedroom,” she says. “If you have to get up in the middle of the night, it shouldn’t be too far away.”

The new closet includes an island, open and closed cabinetry, adjustable shelves and low- and tall-hanging rods.

“I encourage clients to consider cabinetry in their closets,” she relates. “Part of the beauty of today’s ensuites is that people can get ready in their closets. In older homes, the closet was inside the bedroom, therefore people changed in the bedroom. But now you can store all of your clothes in the closet and get ready in the closet.

“That also frees up space in the bedroom,” Hurd continues. “Now you can bring in a furniture piece to store items like pillows and blankets that relate more to the bedroom itself.”

Opening up

As Michelle Berwick’s clients consider renovations to make their homes better suited to the way they live, thoughts about primary ensuites are opening up, literally.

“A fairly common and relatively new request we’ve been seeing in the last year or two is that people are wanting more open spaces in their principal suites,” says principal/founder with Michelle Berwick Design in Newmarket, ON, Canada. “They don’t necessarily mind if the closet is open to the bathroom, or if the bathroom is open to the bedroom, etc., as long as there is a door to close off the whole suite.”

As such, she has found that people are putting a lot more attention and detail into their closets.

“They are no longer just a rod inside a door,” she relates. “Instead, closets have beautiful millwork pieces that are meant to be shown.”

Take, for example, a full-home gut renovation where Berwick worked with architect Mark Weston and builder Alair Homes Newmarket to transform three levels, plus build an addition above the garage that serves as a flex space.

In the primary suite, custom his-and-her closets are tucked between the bedroom and bathroom. For her, open shelves, rods and drawers keep items tidy and accessible. For him, shelves dominate the space. Some include doors with gold grates that provide a bit of concealment while also offering circulation.

“He has a lot of folded items, like sweaters and jerseys, so shelves are appropriate for him,” she says, “but he also has a lot of ballcaps…which she didn’t necessarily want to see!”

A custom mirror with an arched top lends a touch of contemporary design to the otherwise traditionally designed space.

“Their design style leans towards traditional with classic lines, but they still wanted it to feel fresh, so we approached the design through that lens,” she relates.

The same concept carries into the bathroom, where seemingly traditional elements are given an updated twist. For example, the custom oak vanity by Wheelers Studio has fluted doors and drawers and a stain color that gives it added richness and warmth to anchor the otherwise monochromatic space.

“Custom vanities are a big ask for us,” Berwick relates. “They are a great way to personalize storage and to elevate the look of a space to make it feel more luxurious.”

Another frequent request is for large showers. In this case, the designer was able to accommodate by creating a shared wall between the shower and freestanding tub, thereby saving some space that allowed for a private toilet area.

Cladding the shower in two different tiles, including a low-maintenance marble-look porcelain that mimics the real marble countertops and window sills, adds interest.

“A lot of clients are looking for low-maintenance spaces,” Berwick adds. “There is a certain beauty that comes with marble, but there is also a lot of great porcelain that mimics the natural stone and requires zero maintenance.”

Not to be forgotten, the designer also designed the primary bedroom as a cozy sanctuary with an upholstered bed, wood nightstands and an upholstered bench…“so the dog has a place to sleep!” she says.

“The bedroom isn’t a huge room, but we’re finding that, more and more, even with new builds where space isn’t necessarily an issue, that people don’t want large bedrooms with sitting spaces,” she continues. “It’s nice to have a place to perch, but you don’t need a full sectional. Instead, people would rather dedicate that space for clothes storage or a bigger bathroom.”

No more obligations

Lexie Saine is thankful that rigid rules have seemed to relax as far as what people think they need in their primary bathrooms.

“People don’t feel obligated to have a set of required checklist items,” says the principal designer of Lexie Saine Design in San Francisco, CA. “Instead, they are more focused on prioritizing what is most important to them.”

The designer finds that transformation to be freeing, giving her the ability to be more creative.

“Maybe someone wants a decadent makeup area,” she explains, “or maybe an enormous shower with dual zones.”

Saine also finds that some clients are asking for closet elements to be included in the bathroom, which can be especially beneficial if one partner wakes up earlier than the other. Secondary washers and dryers can also eliminate the need to lug laundry from one space to another.

For one recent renovation, completed in collaboration with Adrian Smith Construction, clients requested that a dry sauna be part of their primary bath.

“They are both doctors and they wanted a sanctuary from their busy lives,” she says. “The dry sauna is a way for them to relax. There can also be health benefits related to using a dry sauna, and I have more and more clients asking to include health-related elements in their bathrooms.”

These clients also wanted a larger shower, which Saine included by removing the built-in tub positioned beneath the window.

“It was massive and took up so much real estate,” she says. “They already had a jetted tub, so they didn’t need a tub. Instead, they wanted a really big shower.”

The designer added amenities including two niches and multiple showerheads with the controls located on the opposite side.

“They don’t have to dodge water when they turn on the shower or as they wait for the water to come to temperature,” she explains. “It’s a feature I often include in big, and small, showers.”

A vaulted ceiling accentuates the room’s height and highlights the architecture while turning the shower into a focal-point feature.

“When you walk in, there’s a big beautiful moment with the window, shower and ceiling,” she relates.

Elongated subway tiles, laid in a herringbone pattern, clad the shower walls. Saine extended the tile behind the double floating vanity to add texture and give the room a spa-like feel. The rift-cut white oak vanity features a light smoke stain to prevent it from trending towards yellow. Plenty of drawers, including u-shaped ones beneath the sinks, offer organized storage. Quartz countertops eliminate stains and watermarks and wall-mount matte black faucets make clean up easy.

“I love using wall-mount faucets,” Saine says. “There is less clutter on the vanity and you don’t get any build-up around the faucets. I really encourage my clients to use them in high-use bathrooms.”

While the primary bedroom wasn’t renovated at the same time as the bathroom, the designer later gave it some updates that coordinate with the bathroom, including a new coat of paint in warm white and an accent wall in a shade of black to coordinate with the black features in the bathroom.

Hold rather than hoard

High function and luxurious comfort continue to be drivers of bath design for many of Laura Irion’s clients. The former is often related to storage and organizational capabilities that help people hold, rather than hoard, their stuff.

“We’ve all been overwhelmed by our stuff in the last several decades,” says the principal designer for Laura Design Company in Wayne, IL. “People have become more aware of it and they are more interested in editing it down to what’s really needed. Then they want a place to store what’s left.

“But you can’t just throw a vanity into the room,” she continues. “It’s important to be very thoughtful about drawer and door configurations, and to know what is going inside the vanity before you finalize the design.”

As such, the designer sees clients willing to spend more money on custom cabinetry and interior components. Both were also a main focus in the renovation of Irion’s own primary bathroom, which she completed with the help of general contractor Detailed Builders and Knapp Kitchens, which created a custom vanity. For instance, acrylic drawer organizers corral small items like nail care supplies and cosmetic brushes, even index cards and a pen so she can jot down creative thoughts as she puts on her makeup. As well, in-cabinet outlets, which she highly recommends to her clients, mean that electric toothbrushes, razors and even her Alexa can be stored, and charged, out of sight.

“Drawer organizers are great for little items so they don’t slide around and mesh together,” she explains. “And with outlets in the cabinets, we have places to hide things so nothing needs to be out on the beautiful countertop.”

Luxurious comforts were considerations as well, so Irion included heated floors, which almost didn’t make it into the final plans.

“Everything adds up,” she says. “As I considered our budget, I almost cut them. But I’m glad we didn’t. With the weather turning colder, my feet are toasty warm.”

In the shower, pencil moulding mimics old millwork that dresses it up and gives it historic character. 

“Our wonderful general contractor patiently inlaid all of the trim,” she relates. “It really elevates the tile work so much.”

The mural wallpaper in the vanity and tub section of the primary ensuite serves as a luxurious visual showstopper, which is combined with a complementary wallpaper in the water closet area.

“It’s so very special and it gives the room all of its life and personality,” Irion indicates. “I jokingly refer to my ensuite as the ‘Treehouse for Girls.’ I used to volunteer at a girls’ summer camp with that name. We would forage in the woods and go frog hunting in the ponds, but we also made beautiful crafts with flowers, branches and shells. It was such a sweet, happy time, surrounded by nature and beauty. I didn’t set out to intentionally design around that theme, but as everything came together, it reminded me of it!”

Crystal in the sconce backplates and a fluted handshower serve as luxurious ‘surprises.’

“For me, unexpected details are the most exciting part of really thoughtful design,” she adds. “When you go into a room, you immediately take in the ‘wow’ factors. But once you start looking around and interacting with the space, those moments of surprise and beauty in the smaller details are a sweet spot for me.”

Up next is Irion’s primary bedroom, where the wallpaper will be the jumping off point that informs the space.

“We always create an inspiration board to use as a road map that guides the design,” she explains. “We typically renovate all the ensuite spaces at once, but if not, like in my own home, we’ll take a phased approach using the original board to refer back to for style, colors and overall feel. It ensures the home remains cohesive over time.”

The rise of the ‘spathroom’

There’s no denying that the advent of technology has changed the way people live, leaving many of them constantly ‘on call’ amidst an increasingly hectic and stressful life.

“In response, primary bathroom ensuites have become more of a refuge, with a rise in the concept of the ‘spathroom,’” says Ellie Mroz, creative director/owner of Ellie Mroz Design in Westfield, NJ. “Higher-end primary bathrooms are no longer simply about functionality. Instead, they are also about indulgence and self-care.”

Design and selection choices really play into this trend, she indicates, noting that her clients often request that his-and-her walk-in closets be part of their ensuite. And when the footprint allows, they also frequently ask for vanities with a dedicated place for applying make-up.

Both ‘extras’ were included in a recent renovation where Ellie Mroz and Mike Mroz, owner of Michael Robert Construction, raised the roof, literally, of a ranch home where the new second floor includes the primary ensuite with custom walk-in closets and a make-up vanity. Her clients’ wish list for the primary bathroom also included a wet room and curbless shower. 

“They wanted an efficiently designed space,” she says, “so having the freestanding bathtub, which is the star of the show, in the shower saves space while capturing the spa-like essence. It is the ultimate place for our busy clients to restore themselves!”

Mroz’s clients also wanted a modern, serene aesthetic, which the designer obliged via selections such as the custom vanity by Russell Heard, porcelain tile floor and shower walls, lighting and marble vanity top.

“All work together to juxtapose organic elements on a modern palette,” she relates. 

Mroz encourages clients to consider custom cabinetry because it provides complete control over the design.

“In this case, the custom-made oak vanity, combined with the Carrara marble countertop with a mitered edge and apron finish, adds a quiet luxury to the space,” she relates.

“Well-chosen tile always leaves its mark, too, whether it’s a special pattern, material or both,” she continues. “We love the classic beauty and eventual patina of marble, but the large-
format porcelain floor and wall tile in this bathroom add to the natural-meets-modern luxe vibe.”

Carefully curated and placed lighting fixtures also elevate a space, as do plumbing and hardware style and finish selections.

“Whether it’s plumbing or pulls, knobs and hooks, the tricky part is making sure all of these elements play well together,” she adds. “It’s important that all of the spaces have a cohesive aesthetic.

“We also make sure that color schemes of all the spaces within a primary ensuite are either similar or complementary,” she continues, adding that, in this renovation, the bedroom and bathroom both include an organic and modern aesthetic that is reflected in the finishes, trim, lighting and overall design. “The goal is to create a self-contained private sanctuary where all of the spaces have a practical flow and cohesive aesthetic.”

The post Soothing the Soul appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.

The renovation program was an exercise of editing and refining, with particular attention paid to removing things that were extraneous and historically incompatible with the home’s original design. 

“Much of the original Craftsman detail had already been removed from the house and replaced with later contractor- grade ‘historic’ elements that were not in keeping with the original house,” notes the team from EL Studio. “We were in total agreement with the client that this should be stripped away. We both loved a clean, minimalist aesthetic.”

The original interior was carved into small, confined rooms that felt isolated from each other, which was less than desirable for the homeowners. 

“The clients wanted big, open spaces where their family of five, plus a dog, could gather,” notes the team. “Their previous home was made up of small spaces and it was difficult for them to be together. They wanted lots of glass that would bring in light and views of the garden, and a feeling of continuous flow to the deck and pool.”

To make the home feel more open, an existing staircase was refinished with a new glass guard rail and recessed handrail. A front dormer and porch infill that overwhelmed the original structure was removed to present a more open and genial façade. Apertures to the garden were expanded to allow the space to cascade from the porch to the pool.

EL Studio also created a large and open kitchen and dining space by infilling a dark and too-deep rear screened-in porch. “The owners had fallen in love with the range, so the kitchen was sort of composed with that range in mind,” notes EL Studio. Cabinetry from Henrybuilt that complemented the range was integrated into the kitchen, and it is also featured in the bar, pantry and primary suite bathroom and closet. 

“The Henrybuilt cabinetry is really critical to the way the kitchen, pantry, bar and mudroom all flow together so beautifully,” adds the design firm.

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“It was, maybe surprisingly, really fun,” she says in reference to the process of building a new-construction home with architect/builder Wimmel Design & Construction. “I was able to make decisions that were quick and spontaneous…maybe even a little more risky since it was only me and my husband who would be disappointed!”

Love At First Sight

Meacham’s goal was to create a family friendly, functional kitchen…“that, since I’m a designer, also had to look good,” she quips. 

Functionally, the floor plan features double islands. Initially their inclusion satisfied a desire for visual symmetry, but after living in the space, Meacham has discovered the added bonus of keeping her kids close by when she works in the kitchen.

“I went back and forth about whether or not to include two islands,” she says. “I wasn’t sure how they would fit into our lifestyle, but they have been a wonderful addition.”

One island serves as a place where her kids can craft and do homework, with supplies tucked neatly and conveniently into the base cabinetry custom built by the builder’s carpenter. The second island is a workhorse for the kitchen. Equipped with a prep sink and plenty of storage, it is perfect for cooking and baking.

“They provide a great separation of functions,” she says. “Now, no matter where I live, I’ll always want double islands!”

Meacham topped the duo, as well as the perimeter cabinets, with Alabama Rose marble. Her love of the stone came swiftly, upon first glance when a sample arrived at her design studio.

“The marble is a beautiful mix of blush, cream and dark green on a light background,” she relates, noting a particular penchant for its pink hues. “Even my husband was on board with the idea of a pink countertop!”

The designer used the marble as a jumping off point for the entire kitchen design. For example, the dark green serves as inspiration for the island cabinets, which are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Gloucester Sage. Shades for the Urban Electric chandelier in the adjacent breakfast nook, which offers plenty of seating thanks to its U-shaped banquette, are also custom painted in the gray/green hue to tie the spaces together. 

The perimeter cabinetry, as well as the panels for the Thermador freezer and two Thermador refrigerators positioned to the left of the main sink, reference the marble’s foundational hue via their Pale Oak color. The backsplash behind the range is handmade Moroccan zellige tile from Zia Tile in a colorway that leans toward blush with a reflective glaze that bounces light and brightens the cooking alcove. 

Mined in a family-owned quarry in the southern state of the same name, the Alabama Rose marble’s procurement wasn’t without its challenges, as even designers aren’t immune to the trials and tribulations that can sometimes occur when sourcing, and securing, materials for their own personal projects. 

“I had to fight for that marble,” she recalls. “The quarry is a small mom and pop business and they weren’t in any hurry to make my countertop dreams come true! I had to really push to get the stone. I even considered flying to the quarry. I would have been devastated without it! Eventually it all worked out, but it was something that I had to dig in my heels for.”

Pursuing authenticity

The natural stone also serves as the integrated prep sink in the island and as the integrated farmhouse-style sink – which showcases the dramatic veining on its apron front – beneath the wall of windows. The window wall is one
of Meacham’s favorite parts of the floor plan. 

“It’s so charming to be at the sink and look out the windows,” she says. “It takes me away! And the light that comes through them is awesome.”

As well, the marble’s dramatic veining shows prominently in the backsplash/ledge behind the dual-fuel La Cornue range, which blends seamlessly with the cabinetry. The range’s brass knobs and handrail match the unlacquered brass Barber Wilsons plumbing fixtures and cabinetry hardware sourced from Acero Bella. 

The unlacquered brass, as well as the marble, fits the couple’s desire to include authentic materials in their home. So, too, does the Venetian plaster that sheaths the walls. 

“There is so much light that comes into this space,” Meacham relates. “When light hits plaster it bounces very differently than when it hits drywall. It’s very, very soft…almost cloudlike, especially in the afternoon. It’s just divine.

“Our home feels very true to us,” she continues. “I love how the countertops, handmade tile and paint colors tell a color story that is soft and serene. I also love how the authentic materials, like the marble and unlacquered brass, will become more subtle and evolve with us as we live here. The more they patina and age, the more beautiful they look. There’s a certain groundedness to the materials we have chosen for our kitchen. It, like the rest of the home, is a combination of refinement and elegance, mixed with a casual vibe that reflects the stage of life of our family right now.”

Creating a Support System

While the kitchen is designed to fully function on its own, Marian ‘Mimi’ Meacham also wanted to provide it with a support system via a butler’s pantry, walk-in pantry and bar. All are located conveniently behind the main cooking space and include a multitude of appliances, including two Sub-Zero wine refrigerators in the butler’s pantry; a Sharp microwave, KitchenAid warming drawer and full-size Thermador oven in the walk-in pantry, and a Scotsman ice maker, Sub-Zero wine refrigerator and KitchenAid refrigerator drawers in the bar. 

A sink in the butler’s pantry, as well as in the bar, enhances functionality. Both are accented with unlacquered brass faucets. Since the butler’s pantry is open and visible from the kitchen, Meacham included her beloved Alabama Rose marble for the countertop surface. Complementary Fusion quartzite serves as the countertop and backsplash in the bar.

The walk-in pantry boasts abundant storage via base cabinetry and open shelves, which are stocked with baskets to corral small items. A limestone countertop complements the stylized flowers in the Schumacher wallpaper that sheaths the walls. A matching Shumacher café curtain adorns the window in the butler’s pantry across the aisleway.

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Designer Kim Harrison of Kimberley Harrison Interiors was called upon to transform a dated kitchen and adjacent sunroom into a large, open kitchen and dine-in space. Top of the client’s wish list was a large island and a lot of storage – as well as the stipulation that the kitchen ought to be anything other than all-white. Additional challenges the designer faced included combining two rooms with differing ceiling heights, as well as long product wait times.

After 

In order to combine the sunroom and kitchen, a wall had to be removed. Additionally, after determining that the height of the ceilings could not be altered, the designer made up for the discrepancy by painting both the same color and replacing the aging sunroom windows with new larger, energy-efficient windows, drawing the eye away from the ceiling height difference and out toward the pleasing view.

Green cabinetry was selected in order to fulfil the no-white-kitchen brief from the clients, creating a color story that both reflects the outdoor views and is on-trend without being too trendy and ephemeral. The eye-catching dimensional Natalie Mize Collective Elitas tile backsplash proved to be a bit of a pinch point in the process; because the tile was not available locally, the designer had to wait for it to be shipped from France. The wait proved to be well worth it, however, as the tile provides the ideal focal point for the kitchen.

In order to provide the clients with much-needed storage space, the designer got creative. Slow-close drawers were added to each end of the dine-in banquette bench, and a large pantry, small bar and kitchen/living room accessible cabinet were also added. Because the client is a chef, thoughtful touches – a cutting board installed in a drawer combined with silverware storage, plus storage specific to knives, spices, pots and pans – create a truly custom, unique working kitchen.

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With today’s lighting solutions, everything from an expansive kitchen or bathroom to a small drawer or dark alcove can shine with just the right amount of illumination.

This month, Kitchen & Bath Design News asked designers to discuss how LED innovations have changed the way they create distinctive – and well lit – kitchens and bathrooms.

Greater Versatility

For Kathleen Donohue, LED lighting innovations have been very liberating, giving her the ability to insert lighting into more places throughout a kitchen and bathroom, with the added benefits of not having to worry about overloading circuitry, creating excess heat, etc. 

“We have so many more choices now, beyond the three ‘layers,’ i.e., task, direct and ambient, that we, as designers, so often talk about,” says the CMKBD emeritus/CAPS designer for Neil Kelly Design Build Remodeling in Bend, OR. “The layers are still important and we need to address them in any design, but LED lighting’s versatility has been very freeing.”

For instance, given LED lighting’s low profile and thin wires, it is now possible to easily illuminate places like cabinetry drawers and interiors. 

“LED tape lighting can be tucked anywhere,” she reports, noting that she channel mounts it and includes a diffuser to eliminate the ‘racetrack’ effect of light dots reflecting on surfaces. “I’ve also used LED lights in more unexpected places, too, like on closet poles and under floating shelves. Used in conjunction with a compatible dimmer, you gain even more versatility.”

Additionally, electrical trim pieces are more readily available in a range of colors, which are not necessarily expensive special- order options. And switch plate covers are now offered with built-in downlighting and sensors so the light only comes on at night.

“We recently did some decorative work in a client’s powder room,” she remarks. “The light switch wasn’t easy to find, and the room had no natural light, so we installed one of these lighted switch plate covers. It was an easy $20 fix, and I could install it myself because it didn’t take any wiring. The same solution could be used in a dark hallway. It’s a nice opportunity to enhance safety and convenience as well as add elegance to a job. Sometimes it’s the small things that make such a difference. It’s currently my favorite lighting product.”

Donohue is also a fan of small aperture recessed can lights, especially 2″ mini spotlights, for focused task lighting. For ambient light, pendants – especially in rooms with super high ceilings – are a go-to-choice because they bring the light down to a more human level. 

They were the ideal choice in a recent kitchen renovation where the designer replaced the recessed can lights, which were mounted too high and into sloped ceilings, with a trio of suspended glass globes that hover above the island and bring down the light to where it is most effective and functional. Donohue complemented them with a matching five-light linear light above the dining table in the adjacent room. Uplighting above the soffits emphasizes the high vaulted ceilings while downlighting beneath the wall cabinets illuminates the countertop. LED tape lights inside the appliance garage brighten the interior, making the coffee center more functional on dark winter mornings.

As well, lighting selections were carefully selected for the home’s primary bathroom.

“The client had been dreaming of giving her dated home a fresh new look that suited her contemporary tastes and artwork collection,” Donohue relates. “She had done lots of research, so she was able to give me a good idea of her vision. Plus, she was a fan of interesting contemporary light fixtures. In fact, she had already picked out the chandelier for the bathroom, so it gave me a great idea of what she was imagining for her space. We installed it in the center of the room to take advantage of the peak and emphasize the contemporary architecture of the home. Now, it’s the first thing you notice when you enter the room.”

As they perused lighting showrooms for complementary pieces, they focused on effective and innovative selections that provided a balance of edgy contemporary with timeless, quality design, avoiding anything that was too trendy. In the end, their selections create the desired layers of light. At the vanity, edge-lit mirrors provide soft flattering light that is combined with solid glass rod sconces. The latter’s concealed LEDs offer indirect uplighting as well as side-to-side lighting that eliminates shadows. Recessed cans add downlight for focused task lighting. The icing on the cake is the floating vanity’s undercabinet lighting to illuminate the pathway unobtrusively.

“All of the layers can be utilized in just the right combination to suit my client’s needs or moods,” she notes. “I always remember a comment my older sister made when she saw my lighted magnifying makeup mirror for the first time…’that would be too much reality for me!’”

Set the Tone

Lighting has always been essential to any kitchen and bath space. However, Brittany Farinas indicates that, these days, it is taking on a much more intentional and prominent role.

“From both a functional and aesthetic standpoint, there are so many more opportunities to create unique layouts and designs for lighting,” says the CEO of House of One in Miami Beach, FL. “On the architectural side, groupings aren’t necessarily so symmetrical and specifications are much more elevated. From a decorative standpoint, there’s more opportunity to design custom lighting.”

As an example of the latter, she cites lighting designer Alison Berger’s recent creation for John Legend where a chandelier in his home’s piano bar features lyrics from his early albums etched into the glass globes. 

“It’s almost like a sculpture,” she states. “Opportunities like this one are something we’re always looking for…things that lean into the artistic realm of design.”

Currently, Farinas herself is working on a custom lighting piece for a local plumbing fixture boutique.

“One of the main features we discussed was for this massive custom light fixture to represent the different finishes offered,” she relates. “Bronze, copper, brushed nickel, etc. are all collaged together to create an ombre effect. It’s unique and custom to the concept, but it also provides ample lighting for the space.”

Farinas attributes lighting’s new capabilities, in part, to improved technology, where manufacturers have a greater ability to execute one-off bespoke designs. The designer also credits the recent pandemic with changing how people view lighting.

“After COVID, everyone started to look at design a little differently,” she notes. “We now pay more attention to, and understand the value of, designing a space that feels unique to a client while including all of the components they need. As humans, I think we are all artists in our own way. Some express it more than others, but I think there’s a huge appreciation for custom pieces and lighting.”

Aside from custom pieces, even mainstream lighting choices have evolved. In particular, the designer appreciates Apure Architectural Lighting’s Minus Series LED lights.

“We’re seeing a lot of minimal applications and this light is very, very small,” she relates. “It can be recessed into the ceiling to give you as much, if not more, light than a traditional 4″ or 5″ ‘high hat.’”

Farinas also appreciates that lighting selections can set the tone for a particular design style. For example, in the kitchen of a new-construction home with a contemporary Polynesian vibe, the lighting layout and fixture selections were chosen to illuminate and highlight certain materials throughout the space. As such, an abundance of recessed can lights are complemented with undercabinet lighting and toe kick lighting. The omission of pendants over the island is purposeful given the full coverage of other lighting sources. 

“These clients wanted a space with a lot of rich tones highlighted with various shades of blue that speak to the rest of the common areas in the home,” she explains. “Overall, they wanted to keep it neutral and bring in a pop of color. To highlight the walnut and natural stone, we focused on creating a lot of layers of light. We really thought about how our clients would experience their kitchen…from head to toe. We asked ourselves how lighting should be when they grabbed something from a base cabinet drawer or how we should light a countertop surface. We thought about it vertically…from floor to ceiling.”

An entirely different lighting approach was implemented in the kitchen of a Spanish Mediterranean home where natural light serves as a main light source during the day.

“The overall aesthetic of this home is old meets new with a vintage feel,” she says. “It has a totally different design style than the more contemporary home, so we took an entirely different lighting approach, with fewer recessed can lights and two oversized pendant lights over the island, that ensures adequate lighting when our clients come into the kitchen at night.

“Lighting design, whether architectural or decorative, should be looked at from a bespoke standpoint,” she continues. “There’s really no component within the design process that shouldn’t be reviewed for an opportunity to create something cool and unique.”

Integral to the Design

Given his California location, John Lum, AIA,/founding principal of John Lum Architecture in San Francisco, CA, is especially appreciative of the advancements in LED lighting and the changes they have brought to his designs. 

“With our strict energy codes, we’ve had to use high-efficacy lighting fixtures for quite some time,” he relates. “Usually, this has meant fluorescent lighting, which has always been a problem, since, for many years, it didn’t have warm color temperatures. That made it very difficult to create comfortable living environments because we would have to use very ‘cold’ 4000K lighting. With the advent of LED lighting, which has the added benefit of low energy usage, we’ve been able to achieve much better lighting throughout the kitchens and bathrooms that we design.”

He cites under cabinet lighting in a kitchen as just one example.

“Fluorescent fixtures would buzz or flicker,” he recalls. “Another option were halogens, which produced sharper, focused light, but unfortunately would emit a lot of heat. Plus, they were not energy efficient. Now, LED lights have pretty much replaced both of these options.”

The availability of LED lights in a variety of fixture types also makes it easier to layer light, which is an important consideration for his designs.

“Don’t rely on only one light source,” Lum relates. “Instead, layer the light. For example, work surfaces need to be well lit so you can do various kitchen duties without any glare. In addition, you want general lighting that is controllable and dimmable in order to set the mood while still having ample illumination to complete the task at hand. Admittedly, LEDs are still a bit tricky when it comes to dimming as the light does not become warmer, like an incandescent bulb, when turned down. Typically, we’ll also have some kind of accent or feature light, such as a pendant above an island, to enhance the general ambient light.”

While lighting is important, he stresses that not everything needs to be evenly illuminated. 

“You don’t need to light up every single cabinet,” he says. “It’s nice to create contrast between the kitchen’s main areas and the in-between spaces. Shadows are actually nice because they add a subtle element of play and intrigue.”

As such, he recommends lighting up the main focal point of the room, and then letting other parts of the room recede.  

“If you light everything evenly throughout the whole room, it becomes neutral, so having some drama can be beneficial,” the architect explains.

This approach is evident in one recent renovation where Lum worked with lighting designer David Scott Lighting to create a dramatic, illuminated ceiling, which was accomplished with panels of dimmable LED lights, set behind white plastic panels, accented with teak.

“We took a fairly bland mid-century modern home and upped the ante, adding a Japanese Zen aesthetic,” he says. Along with Mana Behdad, a project designer at his firm, he credits contractor Floyd Construction, metal fabricator 522 Industries and cabinet maker Dovetail Architectural Woodworks with the design.

While the ceiling serves as the main light source, additional lighting includes LED light strips beneath the teak island that illuminate the black onyx marble façade, halogens in the hood to brighten the cooking area, and recessed LED can lights that provide task lighting for the sink area. Additional recessed LEDs illuminate objects on the glass display shelves, which are also backlit with natural light. 

“Lighting isn’t only about artificial solutions,” he adds. “Natural light is certainly something to be considered for the daytime. It’s wonderful to have sunlight as well because it changes the mood of the space and warms it up.”

Lighting also played an important design role in this home’s bar, where LEDs back light a bold orange 3form resin panel wall that plays off the hues in the teak and marble.

“I love, love, love the color,” he says. “With the lights shining through, it creates a beautiful, fiery glow that works with the other materials, such as the brass and teak in the space.

“Our goal, always, is to have lighting integrated into the design,” he adds. “It sounds very obvious, but lighting needs to be considered ahead of time, rather than as an afterthought. It’s important to think about how a fixture will work with other objects in the room. Consider all the elements, including lighting, to make sure they all support the design goal.”

Creating a Better Experience

Lauren Lerner loves that advances in LED technology are changing how people interact with lighting, thereby creating a better user experience. As an example, she indicates that some table lamps are now available with built-in dimmers.

“We’re seeing more technology integrated into familiar products, such as table lamps,” she explains. “Because some of them have built-in dimmers, we don’t have to install dimmers on the wall to dim the fixture. Also, with some recessed can lights, upon installation, you can fine-tune the color of the light to be cohesive with the color palette of the room and what appeals most to the client. The technology is built into the can, so if someone wants a certain ambiance during the day and a different ambiance at night, they don’t have to change the bulb, which isn’t realistic to do on a daily basis. Creating a better environment isn’t only about having a light on or off, or dimmed or full strength. As technology changes, so does everything else within the home.” 

Lerner also appreciates that LED light sources are available in smaller sizes and outputs, giving her clients a broader selection of products and abilities to fine-tune lighting to their specific needs. 

“Recessed can lights don’t take up as much space in the ceiling,” she explains. “In areas where we typically include cans and pendants or sconces, we now have a greater ability to do both. That allows us to meet functional needs with can lights and aesthetic needs, as well as directional lighting, with pendants and other decorative lights.

“Using a variety of lights, carefully blended together, also creates a cohesive design,” she continues, noting a resulting layer of light. “In general, we love using both ceiling and wall lighting in conjunction with can lighting in our projects.”

Such was the case in one recent primary bathroom where she used recessed cans and elegant brushed brass sconces that frame the vanity mirror. Both are complemented by a brass and smoked seeded glass chandelier that was later installed by the client.

“We aimed to create a bathroom with lighting that served both practical and aesthetic purposes,” she explains. “Our client loves decorative lighting, so the sconces are beautiful yet neutral to allow the handcrafted black and white terracotta tiles on the floor and in the shower to be the showstopping moment.”

Lerner also included locally made black metal doors, a custom rift-cut oak vanity topped with quartz and a freestanding tub, which offers a dash of color.

“We wanted to maintain a cohesive aesthetic between the primary bathroom and the bedroom’s black and white color palette,” she continues. “The resulting contrast and uniqueness elevates the space effortlessly.”

While the sconces and the chandelier in this bathroom are brushed brass, the designer often mixes metal finishes to create a more collected look as opposed to a more matched vibe.

“People are more open to mixing and matching,” Lerner says. “And brands are beginning to offer all of the finish options, including more in brass.”

To successfully execute the mixed metal technique, she keeps all the lighting fixtures on a particular visual plane the same. For example, all the hanging fixtures within a room, or in spaces that are visible from one other, will have the same finish. 

“If you can see the dining room from the family room, or the entry from the family room, all of the fixtures on the same visual plane should be the same,” she believes. “But if you have a table lamp and pendant lights, those can be different finishes. I like the idea of being able to mix finishes for a more curated, collected look, rather than having everything the same.”

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Regardless of their approach, the majority of designers emphasize that designing with the environment in mind needn’t come in at a prohibitive cost. They explain that one of the tenets of such design is to reduce waste – whether it’s wasted energy or wasted resources. For example, a kitchen designed with some of the existing elements remaining is a sure-fire way to make it more sustainable. Still, designers insist that this doesn’t mean homeowners have to put up with pieces they hate, or that they can’t have the kitchen of their dreams while being environmentally conscious.

The cost of sustainability was a major focus of a recent National Kitchen & Bath Association symposium, and speakers – including designer Adam Gibson of Adam Gibson Design in Carmel, IN – emphasized that while homeowners favor the concept, many initially worry about the affordability. “However, after some education, most homeowners become ambassadors for the idea when they realize it doesn’t necessarily cost more to apply it,” Gibson notes. 

Remodeling Approaches

Gibson tells that, in remodeling projects, his team tries to identify components that can be recycled, repurposed, reused or resold. “Some non-profits will remove entire kitchens at no cost to homeowners and resell to those who may not be able to afford a new kitchen,” he reports. “After that we implement design that optimizes efficiency and longevity while minimizing environmental impact. In a recent project this involved locally constructed cabinets, American-made quartz countertops, LED lighting throughout, energy-efficient appliances, new high-quality windows to create an infusion of natural light, super-insulated walls and ceilings to reduce HVAC usage, and avoiding off-gas products.” 

Designer and author Natalia Pierce, CMKBD, WELL AP, CLIPP, owner/designer of Detail by Design in Ottawa, ON, Canada also believes in keeping original components and designing for sustainability. A recent remodeling project involved converting a small kitchen and dining room into one space.

“The original floor was maintained and new matching wood fit in to blend old and new,” she explains. “By removing the walls, it opened up the space for so much more natural Iight, so daylighting is rarely required. When lighting is needed, high-efficiency LED pot lights provide an abundance of light on countertops where needed most. Accent lighting for both decorative fixtures above the island and dining table are also fitted with LED lamps, and under-cabinet lighting has been included. In my opinion, lighting is one of the most under-valued elements that can truly make or break the functionality of a project.”

“Our cabinet manufacturer is located within four hours of our office and provides products without formaldehyde,” she adds. “The doors for this project are both natural Canadian birch and white oak, and the stains and finishes are water-based for less off-gassing and lower VOCs.”

Pierce is an admirer of the Silestone by Cosentino used in this project. She cites Cosentino’s recycling of 99 percent of the water in the manufacturing of the surfacing, and at least 50 percent of the company’s power comes from solar or wind, she adds.

Keeping it Timeless

Sharon Sherman, owner, Thyme & Place Design in Wyckoff, NJ, believes that providing truly quality and timeless products is a vital part of sustainable design. “Fast fashion for the home has become a big problem in the remodeling world,” she says. “Our team strives to recycle as much as possible in any project. I especially love it when we can repurpose products and materials through firms like Green Demolitions and Renovation Angel. We also recycle all brass, copper and materials. If we can save products by not completely gutting a space, we do it.

“We do try to buy products that don’t have to travel far and choose to work with companies committed to properly sourced material and eco-friendly finishes and practices,” she continues. “Recycling centers, in-home composters and low-flow water components are part of the discussion as well. I love the new technology, which is finding its way into appliance offerings with LED lights replicating daylight cycles for veggies to stay fresh longer, and now several manufacturers offer a high-tech appliance for in-home vertical gardening.”

She tells of keeping the window, siding and reframing in one remodeling project, swapping out wood floors with wood-look porcelain that will last a lifetime, and using reclaimed wood over the bar area. “Although the arched window could have outdated the space, we removed the mullions,” she notes. “Then we painted the trim white and chose over-sized light fixtures repeating the curve of the window. This made it a design statement rather than a design mistake.”

Tessa Boudreaux, designer, Jansen Kitchen & Bath in Pensacola, FL, also believes sustainability starts with long-lasting, timeless components. “When I design a kitchen or bath, my number one goal is that the space is able to grow with the client over the years,” she comments. “Once remodeled, the main parts of the kitchen – countertops, flooring and cabinetry – should be able to last through many design eras by simply changing out a backsplash or painting the walls to create a new look in the same space.”

In the last few years, Boudreaux has found that clients are willing to spend the extra money on the bigger parts of a project for the materials that are guaranteed to last longer and/or carry a better warranty. She contends that, when clients are planning their forever homes, they’re more willing to pay the extra 35 percent to jump up to a cabinet manufacturer with a better construction finish or upgrade to the higher-end appliances that are known and loved for their longevity.

One of her favorite projects involved a couple in their mid-thirties with an ever-growing family. They wanted to leave town and move out to the beach, but to be able to justify the cost of living there, their home needed to be one they could grow into as a family of five for many years to come. They wanted a place to host family and friends, an inviting and timeless space where they could all come together to cook, eat and have fun. 

“We deleted the dining room altogether,” she explains, “since the owners said the dining room was a waste of space for their family. As a result, we were able to grow the kitchen an extra 10′ into the dining space, creating a huge eat-in bar, a second prep bar, a beverage center and much more. Now, the endless amount of countertops, storage and refrigeration gives them plenty of room to spend time cooking and gathering. In short, we created a space that will not be outgrown, but instead grown into.”

Sustainability Plus

A leading designer of personalized sustainable kitchens that support mental, physical and emotional well-being, Sarah Barnard, owner of Sarah Barnard Design in Santa Monica, CA, is known for restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and environmental preservation.

She points out that, beyond durability and longevity, sustainability can also be akin to systems that help mitigate food and water waste. Aging-in-place design is also a key concern. She tells of a project where the design celebrates the homeowner’s personal history by combining vintage and contemporary aesthetics to support health and accessibility. The focus is on merging new and old, keeping the visual impact of beloved antiques while creating a minimal design that supports environmental health.

“Specifically, the cabinetry was made locally,” she notes. “The countertops are made of crushed stone recovered from quarries that would otherwise become waste material. No- and low-VOC finishes were used throughout.”

Another Barnard project emphasized a connection with nature and specified long-lasting components. Flooring is reclaimed FSC-certified wood with a no VOC finish, and cabinets are locally crafted FSC-certified plywood. She chose marble for counters and backsplashes “for its beauty and durability.” A calming dove gray zero-VOC paint on walls and cabinets draws the eye toward the outdoors.

On the opposite coast, designer Scott Stultz, principal, Scott A. Stultz & Associates in Castine, ME, is a strong believer in forgoing market trends, instead opting for what he terms “durable, reliable design.”

An example of his design philosophy is demonstrated in a project in Lancaster, PA, where he converted a historic church to a residence, complete with a new kitchen that’s a study in eclectic harmony. 

“We created the kitchen largely from repurposed showroom and product rollout display cabinetry, salvage pieces, and antique shop finds,” he reports. “Very few new pieces. A diverse cast of characters.”

The range wall features his Glasgow series, inspired by early 20th century work of Eliel Saarinen and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, with a vintage 1957 Roper Supermatic gas range sparkling under an exhaust hood of copper and stainless steel. A door rescued from a janitor’s closet conceals the pantry cabinet. The marble countertops were carved from discarded slab remnants.

The island is a minimalist dark gray block wrapped around a series of bright red open-shelf compartments that allude to Japanese lacquerware. An old cherry butcher block provides a conveniently lower work surface at the far end. A cut-down pew from the sanctuary plus a scrubbed-down pine table creates a casual dining spot, and an 11′-long solid wood counter spans the opening between the kitchen, dining and living room, creating a large social place.

“The unusual elements and unexpected groupings collected over many years create a strikingly unique dialogue,” offers Stultz, “intriguing and fun, without looking at all like a salvage hodge-podge.”

Recycling Winner

For over 20 years Stamford, CT designer Peter Deane has been a leader in recycling kitchen cabinetry and thoroughly committed to keeping construction materials out of landfills. For the past four years Deane, owner of DEANE, Inc., has received prestigious awards for this commitment.

“We work with Renovation Angel, a non-profit organization,” he remarks. “They manage the white-glove transportation and resale of kitchen materials in exchange for tax deductions for our clients. Being able to support the circular economy by reclaiming and repurposing kitchens from one home to another is more meaningful now than ever. Our clients feel good knowing that they’re both helping the economy and the environment.”

What’s Ahead?

Meanwhile, heady research is being devoted to new materials and strategies to further sustainability. 

Rice hulls, the outermost layer of rice grains and traditionally a waste product, is being investigated as an alternative to wood. It is said to have very similar properties to wood, but is more sustainable and cost-effective, not to mention very similar in appearance. It’s also lightweight and has low moisture absorption.

And mushrooms are garnering widespread attention for everything from handbags to bricks. Italian biomaterial technologists think flooring from mushrooms could be the next big thing. Harnessing the resin-like powers of the mushroom’s thread-like fibers, Mogu S.r.l. has developed 100 percent
plastic-free floor tiles incorporating bio masses such as corn crops, spent coffee grounds, rice straw, discarded seaweed and clam shells. Designed to resemble natural stone, the flooring is said to be just what you need in a kitchen: strong, scratch-resistant and sustainable.

Bluebell Fine Cabinetry & Design in Wayne, PA is showing fumed eucalyptus, said to be dense, strong and durable with anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Eucalyptus grows six to ten feet a year, making it more sustainable than woods such as walnut, whose tree grows one to two feet a year.

And the trend toward freestanding cabinetry continues to grow, which promotes the concept of sustainability. The flexibility of an unfitted kitchen allows for the movement of cabinets and the addition of new pieces without the need to rip out a whole fitted kitchen. Designers say it offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to designing a room. They like that things can be changed around, vintage items can be added, and cupboards can be swapped and reused in different ways. 

Clearly, sustainability is promoting an avalanche of products and creativity for the kitchen of the future.

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“They knew they needed to expand, but they had no idea how that new space would look or feel,” she says, noting additional contributions from Sean Carter, her design assistant.

What they did know was that they wanted it to be elegant and sophisticated with a bit of glitz. Also, it needed to complement their adjacent outdoor entertaining/pool area while being completely unique and special. 

That desire for distinction opened the door for the inclusion of a variety of custom selections, beginning with the Woodworks Design cabinetry in a mix of oyster-colored semi- and high-gloss lacquer cabinets, some with reeded walnut accents, and a walnut island topped with marble. The island’s oval shape highlights a recurring theme of curves used throughout the kitchen. 

“Interestingly, as big as the space is, a large rectangular island would have felt too big,” she relates. “Plus, we wanted to incorporate a built-in curved banquette on one end, which serves as seating for the oval-shaped dining table. I loved the idea of playing off of curves.”

Curves are also featured in the ceiling, where oval-shaped millwork follows the contours of the island and juxtaposes against square coffers that perfectly mirror the white oak and marble-look porcelain floor, the latter of which was custom cut from slabs into the desired dimension. The oak coordinates with the wood flooring used throughout the rest of the first floor, while the porcelain defines the kitchen’s boundaries. Combining the two materials in a lattice pattern where the oak frames the porcelain prevents the stark line that would exist if only porcelain was used.

“My clients really wanted the kitchen to feel elegant and special, so I didn’t want to just continue the hardwood floor into the space,” she explains. “I wanted to delineate the kitchen, but we didn’t want a harsh stopping point. That’s how I came up with the idea for the lattice pattern using the wood and porcelain. It was a difficult execution to mimic the exact angles and dimensions between the floor and ceiling, but the builder was quite patient and very detailed, and it ended up being a wonderful collaboration.”

European Inspiration

The perimeter cabinetry continues the curved theme with a series of concave and convex corners that add softness to the room and flow seamlessly around the island. As it sweeps gently through the kitchen, it passes by a Kallista sink accented with a Perrin & Rowe faucet. The sink’s Polished Distressed finish gives it a hammered appearance and its curved walls highlight its design details. 

The cabinetry breaks momentarily to accommodate the La Cornue Château Series range, which is a nod to the wife’s love of French design and her favorite city, Paris, where she attended school.

“The husband loves to cook…it’s his outlet from his job as a doctor,” she says. “The couple also loves to entertain, so he often makes big meals.”

Spang complemented the range with a Vent-A-Hood ventilation hood, custom fabricated to match the range.

“When I came on board, the only thing that had been ordered was the range,” she recalls. “I knew we would need a hood that mimicked its beauty.”

The designer also included a marble backsplash that offers enough ooh là là to support the splendor of the range and hood.

“My clients love natural stone and they wanted to include it in the kitchen,” she relates. “We loved the idea of using it as the backsplash, as well as the island countertop.”

Since the designer couldn’t find a slab large enough to clad the intended dimensions, she worked with the fabricator to frame one large piece of stone with brushed nickel trim, which complements the Perrin & Rowe pot filler. Adding an outer border of marble gives it the appearance of one larger slab.

“We really didn’t want to have a seam in the marble,” she relates, “so we made the solution appear decorative and intentional.”

Continuing around the perimeter, Spang included a La Cornue rotisserie with reeded-walnut paneled Wolf warming drawers below. 

“I wanted to include an element that added a bit of dimension,” she explains, in reference to the textured cabinet panels. “I’ve had this idea in my mind for a few years and I was finally able to use it in this project. It makes the cabinetry feel more like custom furniture.”

Additionally, custom cabinetry hardware, fabricated by a blacksmith in Cleveland, adds a bit of glitz and coordinates with the Katonah Architectural Hardware knobs and pulls used elsewhere in the kitchen.

Additional Storage

On the adjacent wall, a Wolf steam oven joins two Sub-Zero refrigerators paneled with antiqued mirrors and curved mullions that are painted the same color as the cabinetry. In between the refrigerators, two doors – which are paneled to match the refrigerators – conceal the entrance to a walk-in pantry where she included more cabinetry, plenty of countertop work space and a Wolf microwave drawer.

Because hosting family and friends was so important to her clients, Spang included an area dedicated to serving, entertaining and storing large platters, bowls, etc. Sited just around the corner from the refrigerators, it repeats several elements seen throughout the kitchen, including curved cabinetry, antiqued mirrored doors, an antiqued mirrored backsplash comprised of mosaic tile from Artistic Tile and a Cambria quartz countertop in Minera.

“The tile offers a bit of reflection as well as texture,” she explains. “And the countertop has some sparkle.”

This entertaining area flows into a butler’s pantry, which offers the ultimate in storage. One wall is home to a built-in Miele coffee maker, serving station and cabinetry. Across the aisleway, it opens into a larger u-shaped area that includes floor-to-ceiling cabinetry – with the upper units accessed via a sliding ladder – and a paneled Sub-Zero freezer.

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Designer Sunny Ham was tasked with creating a timeless, unique design with a heating and cooling floor system, all without moving the existing plumbing layout. The client craved marble looks and luxury, as well as low maintenance materials and a Scandinavian flavor. The project faced lead time challenges, especially on European-import materials, as well as the usual COVID-related staffing delays. However, through open communication with vendors, COVID precautions, flexibility on timelines and collaboration with local suppliers to make up for international delays,
the project was brought to successful completion.

After 

The new space features a light and bright color palette, with wood- and marble-look floor, wall and ceiling tile setting the zen, natural tone. A radiant heating and cooling system by WarmlyYours was integrated into the floor, creating a luxe experience. LED strip lighting, strategically incorporated into the shower and recessed into wall and ceiling areas, provides a soft glow and a visually striking floating 3-D effect. As a bonus money- and time-saving measure, the existing tub and shower pan were reused for the project.

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“She is one of the most organized people I have ever met,” says the founder of Dresner Design in Chicago, IL.

To accommodate her persona, the designer specified that the Italian-made Dresner Design Black Label cabinetry be well-appointed with an array of custom inserts and organizational accessories to store everything from coffee and snack packets to trays and cutting boards. One special feature of the drawers is wenge-stained rift-cut oak interiors and dividers.

“I love everything that looks like wenge wood, and the way we did this, you would not be able to tell the difference,” he says. “Wenge wood has always been in style in European cabinets…it’s always in the background of its design. And, the dark brown interiors make the organization feel pretty.”

The dark wood also offers a stark contrast to the white cabinetry, which his client appreciates for its ageless appeal.

“Her previous kitchen was off-white and she’d had it for 20 years,” he relates. “This brighter white is more timeless. It will be difficult for anyone to know when it was renovated. It could have been last year, five years ago or five years from today.”

The cabinetry’s light hue also coordinates readily with the white and gray Calacatta Lincoln marble used throughout the kitchen.

“One of my favorite things to do with clients is take them to stone suppliers in the Chicago area,” Dresner indicates. “We always have fun, and we enjoy looking until we find something they love!”

For this client, it didn’t take long to fall in love with the elegant and delicate Calacatta Lincoln marble, which is used as cladding and as slab-style backsplashes on multiple walls.

“If you love marble, and if you have the budget for it, there’s nothing wrong with cladding everything!” he quips. “It lasts forever, and when it’s used on the walls, it doesn’t really get touched so you don’t have to worry about stains. It really knocks the socks off of people.”

Dresner continued the marble on the hood surround where the clients requested that it be grooved, which adds interest and sets it apart from the other marble usages within the space. The faces of the floating shelves on the adjacent sink wall also showcase the unique treatment. 

As for the island, a single piece of the natural stone serves as the worktop surface and is complemented with a 2″-thick mitered edge that visually supports its large dimension.

“My client originally considered using quartz for the island, which is something that I do sometimes,” he recalls. “But as we discussed it, we felt the island was such a focal point that the marble would be a better choice. It was the right decision, and now she loves it.”

The island, which he significantly upsized and positioned closer to the adjacent dining room and family room, is also home to two paneled Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers, which make it easy for the clients’ kids to access drinks. On the opposite end, vertical tray dividers are tucked behind a door. On the working side of the island, Dresner included deep drawers adjacent to and beneath The Galley sink. 

Anything But Cut and Dried

The kitchen’s perimeter also boasts several well-appointed features, including a Wolf cooktop with control knobs embedded into the cabinetry.

“Everybody seems to love this look right now,” he says. “It’s more modern, and the knobs set into the drawer front make it feel more custom.”

Two Miele dishwashers join a generously sized workstation sink from The Galley that is outfitted with an abundance of accessories. A paneled Sub-Zero column refrigerator and freezer and Wolf double ovens are positioned next to a relatively petite secondary work space with a countertop and a Wolf microwave.

“It’s a great place where she can prepare hors d’oeuvres, or it can also serve as an additional work area when more than one person is in the kitchen,” the designer explains.

This bonus work space is tucked into what, at first glance, appears to simply be a corner of the kitchen. Rather, it sits at the entrance to a walk-in pantry tucked behind the cooking wall.

“This area used to be a closet,” Dresner indicates. “But since my client was focused on having the ultimate organization, we wanted to give her more storage.”

The designer made this space – which he colloquially references as the ‘get ready quick’ area, or the ‘toast and coffee’ room – easy to access by purposefully omitting a door. An abundance of open shelves furthers the pantry’s ease of use once she steps inside. The inclusion of a ‘first aid’ cabinet, tucked behind a door that reveals brightly colored red shelves, keeps medications, bandages, etc., close at hand.

To add interest, the open shelving section that is visible from the kitchen is crafted from rift-cut white oak, which matches a pair of buffets in the adjacent dining room to pull the spaces together.

“When you look towards the pantry, the color change from white painted cabinets to stained oak cabinets makes it seem like there is furniture in the kitchen,” he relates. “And we didn’t want it to feel like the kitchen was just wrapping around the corner, so we changed gears and materials, giving it the appearance that it is something different.

“This kitchen is not one that is cut and dried,” he continues. “My client was extremely picky and hard on me to get the design just right. And I think we accomplished that!”

A Bar Fit for Darth Vader

Scott Dresner’s clients enjoy mixing their own drinks, so having a beautiful bar in which to do so was an important part of their home’s renovation. And while his client loves her white kitchen, the black lacquer Dresner Design Black Label cabinetry used in the bar, which is located around a corner of the kitchen, creates
a stunning contrast.

“We wanted it to feel dressier,” he explains. “The black lacquer is also very Darth Vader-esque. If I were to design a bar in Darth Vader’s dining room, this is what it would look like…and she loves it!”

Unique custom horizontal slots on the door and drawer faces give the cabinetry a tambour door appearance. Pocket doors slide open to reveal a Graystone marble countertop and smoked glass shelves illuminated with LED lights. Base cabinetry drawers feature wenge-stained rift-cut white oak interiors and dividers to match those in the kitchen.

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