In today’s market,
five hundred square feet is typically thought to be a common size for a bachelor or one-bedroom condo, however, that was not the case for this designer kitchen. The owners of this fabulous kitchen were building a custom home to accommodate their growing family and decided to utilize the main floor by allocating to the kitchen as much square footage as possible.
And square footage they gave – all five hundred square feet of luxury, equipped with top of the line appliances, exotic counter tops and dazzling crystal knobs. This space was not only impressive in size but also in finishes and quality; a true vision of classic design.
“The kitchen is the heart of the home: a gathering spot, the main area for entertaining and the most used room in the entire house.”
For this reason, the homeowners had big plans to create a dream kitchen in their new home. The kitchen had very specific requirements: it would exude style and sophistication, be everyday casual yet formal enough to host classy dinner parties and celebratory family functions.
Keep in mind, a home does not need to be this grand to feel polished and refined. The same principles can be applied when designing a five thousand square foot home or a five hundred square foot condo. It is the finishes and styled applications that make a space feel luxurious. We were able to incorporate a built-in fridge to create a seamless look with the cream cabinets glazed in an antique finish. (If built-in appliances aren’t an option, I suggest a less expensive panel-ready or counter depth fridge which will look custom). The perimeter of the kitchen has much lighter cabinets to allow the eye to freely move around the room. However, our focal point, and ultimately the grounding object in the space was hard to miss. An eight foot island, stained in espresso, was centrally located for easy access creating the perfect serving counter top.
Form and function went hand-in-hand on this project. One of the most significant design decisions was the lighting plan. Starting early meant we could accommodate task, ambient and mood illumination throughout the space. One of the most important elements of design is function and without an effective lighting plan, the kitchen would not reach its full potential. This design rule applies to any space, especially ones with insufficient natural lighting. Imagine working months on choosing finishes that could possibly be hidden in darkness.
Other high impact design components were the smallest details; those are the ones that give the space its unique look.
To create floor dimension and emphasize the twenty-five foot long kitchen, we decided on twelve by twenty-four inch marble tiles and accented them with contrasting mosaics to produce large rectangular shapes on the ground. This type of tile effect can also be produced in any hard surface area such as in bathroom showers, back splashes and floors. You don’t have to choose just one basic tile, you can mix and match to incorporate high-end with budget-friendly materials.
The kitchen itself followed many design principles which can be interpreted into countless spaces. Focal point, balance, lighting, form and function equal a recipe for a classic and timeless design.
It’s easy to create impact in your space by paying attention to the smallest details and fashioning a space that works for your home.
