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Country fresh from Kitchen Trends volume 2605
Designing a kitchen to suit owners with two different wish lists is always a challenge. But it can lead to an innovative design solution, as this country house kitchen demonstrates.
Architect Geoff Prentiss of Prentiss Architects says one of the owners wanted a very modern design, while the other was more interested in a transitional approach.
The house itself was designed to merge the two architectural styles preferred by the owners, he says.
"It comprises a series of solid stone volumes reminiscent of traditional French farm houses. These are linked by wedge-shaped transparent elements that contrast with the primary forms, both in lightness and in geometry."
To provide a sense of town meets country for the kitchen, natural materials were used but refined to present a sleek, contemporary palette with what Prentiss calls "edges of newness". The cabinetry features flush doors and drawers in beech veneer. For visual definition, overhead display cabinets are framed by dark-stained beech.
"The detailing throughout the house emphasizes the concept of light versus mass," says the architect. "Some cabinets, notably in the butler's pantry, have acrylic doors. These cabinets have LED light strips inside so they appear to float with light at night. The cabinets are also held off the floor by a reveal that reinforces the light floating feel."
Prentiss says in key areas, the cabinetry is wrapped by other materials.
"The island, for example, is wrapped across the top and down one side in Calacatta marble. And the countertops and acrylic cabinet doors in the butler's pantry are wrapped by a stainless steel strip."
Similarly, a pull-out bar top element in the kitchen is asymmetrically wrapped across the top and down one side in stainless steel. Prentiss says the pivoting bar enables the owners to view the television while eating in the kitchen.
"Functionality was critical to the design. Items are stored right where they are needed. Oils and spices, for example, are stored either side of the cooking center, and a decorative niche stores everyday plates within easy reach."
Additional storage is provided in the butler's pantry. Both the pantry and the casual dining area next to the kitchen are positioned within two of the transparent wedges between the larger stone volumes of the house.
These areas are not only defined by their Kalwall translucent roofs, which appear to wrap down the walls, but also by the flooring, which changes from wood to limestone.
A consistent material palette, which includes wood and steel, was specified throughout this new country house. Architect Geoff Prentiss specified beech veneer cabinets for the kitchen, and a steel mosaic backsplash for the cooking center. Stainless steel also wraps the edge of several wood countertops. The high row of overhead display cabinets is framed by dark-stained beech wood.
Calacatta marble wraps the top and one side of the island. The bar top is wrapped with stainless steel. Two different flooring types feature in the open-plan space. While the main stone-clad volumes of the house have wood floors, the intersecting, light-filled transitional spaces have limestone flooring.
The pivoting bar top can be positioned at right angles to the island, so the owners can see the television while eating at the bar.
The kitchen is designed to maximize the expansive country views through a large arched window, reminiscent of traditional French farm houses.
There is a seamless flow between all the living areas on the ground floor.
With its translucent Kalwall roof and floor-to-ceiling window, the butler's pantry is a light-filled storage room.
Credit List
Architects
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Geoff Prentiss, Brandon Woodward, Prentiss Architects (Seattle, WA)
Flooring
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Brazilian walnut; Pavus Gray limestone
Range backsplash
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Steel mosaics from Natural Stone Design Gallery
Story by Colleen Hawkes
Photography by Tim Maloney
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