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Well connected from Kitchen Trends volume 2403
From the outside, a design that is aesthetically pleasing may seem successful. However, creating flow of movement and connections between external and internal spaces is just as important as good looks.
Constructing pathways for light and people to travel, as well as facilitating the enjoyment of views, were the goals of designer Richard Landon when planning this kitchen. Landon says the existing room, which adjoined the family and dining rooms, was an awkward size.
"The original footprint of the kitchen did not provide enough width for an island, which the homeowners had requested. Opposite the kitchen in the family room a set of French doors caused some problems in terms of furniture placement."
By replacing the French doors with windows and installing a new single door, better furniture placement and easier flow of movement is obtained.
"This allowed for a peninsula to angle out into the family room, providing seating and enough clearance for a longer island. Now the home-owners can sit at the counter and greet visitors arriving at the front door," says Landon.
An ornate sideboard, which crowded the dining table, was relocated to the main entry hall leading to the family room.
"To keep the sideboard visible, we opened up the wall between the hall and the dining room," says the designer.
In place of the sideboard is a double-sided cabinet. In the kitchen, this consists of a cavity for the refrigerator and ovens, which allows more width for the island. On the dining side, an internally lit cabinet displays glassware.
Above this cabinet, a slice of the wall has been left open. This allows for a view of the chandelier in the dining room, adding atmosphere at night. It also enables sunlight to be shared between the two rooms, says Landon.
"Sunlight from two different directions is proven to lift your mood. To accomplish this, and to allow for a taller homeowner to see the outside view, the tops of the kitchen windows have been raised into the rim joist of the floor above."
Echoing the true beam between the family room and kitchen, a decorative beam has been added in the dining entrance. Landon says that small details such as this help to subtly connect the house as a whole.
"There is a grid pattern that can be seen in the windows. This is repeated throughout the kitchen – in the limestone tile flooring and in the design of the cabinet drawers," he says.
A linear pattern is also repeated in the zebrawood island, peninsula and cabinets, and in the reed glass wall covering. To soften the look of these vertical lines, the drawers have a beveled edge.
This kitchen is closely linked to the adjoined family and dining rooms, through an open doorway to the dining room and a peninsula seating area that extends into the family room.
The island countertop is tough Pyrolave.
Countertops are stainless steel in the work space and a more comfortable zebrawood in the seating area.
The island is designed to add a sense of femininity to the linear nature of the kitchen. The legs resemble stiletto heels, and the drawers feature delicate pull handles. Adding to this effect is the gentle curve of the range hood. The oversized drawers feature a larger central drawer to emphasize the horizontal, in contrast to the repeated vertical lines. Toekick drawers add extra storage space. The sink is custom made with a sunken drainboard to hide dishes.
Above: An internally lit cabinet features as a display space for glassware.
The basement below had no natural light source, so glass blocks were integrated into the family room floor. French doors were replaced by two windows and a single door, allowing for an L-shaped seating area, and leaving a spacious pathway through the room. The color palette in all three rooms is chosen to reflect the Seattle environment.
Credit List
Designer
:
Richard Landon, CMKBD, NKBA, Richard Landon Design (Bellevue, WA)
Contractor
:
Ashley Remodeling & Construction
Cabinetry
:
MDF painted in Atrium; zebrawood with American walnut; toekick drawers in Wilsonart Brushed Iron laminate
Tile flooring
:
Arroyo Bluff limestone, from Ambiente Tile, installed with Laticrete SpectraLOCK grout
Wall covering
:
3/8" wide reed glass, custom glazed
Countertop
:
Stainless steel with orbital finish, by Metal Masters; zebrawood by Craft Art; enamelled Lavastone by Pyrolave, sourced by Fine Line Pacific
Lighting
:
Juno TC1R recessed cans, from Seattle Lighting
Chef's sink
:
Kohler Undertone/ Lyric
Faucets
:
Arwa and Arwa-Twin model, from Gemini; Elkay by Arezzo
Coffee system, steam oven, oven, and dishwasher
:
Miele
Story by Camille Butler
Photography by Jamie Cobeldick
View of kitchen designed by Richard Landon, CMKBD, NKBA, from Richard Landon Design (Bellevue, WA) and built by Ashley Remodeling & Construction features a Zephyr range hood.
View of kitchen designed by Richard Landon, CMKBD, NKBA, from Richard Landon Design (Bellevue, WA) and built by Ashley Remodeling & Construction features a Zephyr range hood.
View of kitchen designed by Richard Landon, CMKBD, NKBA, from Richard Landon Design (Bellevue, WA) and built by Ashley Remodeling & Construction features a Zephyr range hood.
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