Air of refinement

Creating a kitchen that both stands out against and blends into the larger living area is a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, the design and material choice need to be original, while on the other, they also need to link with the overall space.

The owners of this condominium wanted their refurbished apartment to be large, open, sophisticated in style, and suitable for entertaining.

Architect Garret Cord Werner's design located the kitchen in an alcove on the rear wall of the apartment, below a dropped ceiling of metal-plated panels. Black granite countertops reflect the metal panels, and Macassar ebony cabinetry provides a link with furnishings in the living areas. A solid, metal-framed sheet of glass suspended above the countertop forms a bar.

To keep the look of the kitchen as simple as possible, overhead cabinetry has black glass lift-up doors, and the black Ceran hob is flush with the granite top.

Story by: Mary Webb