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This bright, white kitchen takes its design cues from a dramatic remodel of the entire home

Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut chair, dining room, floor, flooring, furniture, home, interior design, kitchen, room, table, window, white, gray — Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut used as flooring, contemporary design and Stainless steel cabinetry is a standout.

Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut countertop, floor, flooring, interior design, kitchen, gray

Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, gray

Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut ceiling, countertop, home, interior design, kitchen, living room, real estate, room, gray

Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, gray, white

Kitchen has Granite tops and contrasting dark walnut countertop, interior design, kitchen, gray

The expression that nothing exists in isolation rings particularly true for the design of open-plan interiors. A kitchen open to the living room, the dining room and other public spaces needs to look as if it belongs from every angle.

Icelandic architect Bjorn Skaptason undertook a whole-house remodel that incorporated this large kitchen. The comprehensive rethink saw little but the original street facade and house structure remain. The owners, also from Iceland, wanted to replace the traditional interiors with clean, open living spaces throughout.

"Design motifs found elsewhere in the interior continue in the kitchen," says Skaptason. "The home's simple tonal palette of white, gray and black, combined with architectural detailing that accentuates the play of shadow and light, is also in evidence here."

The kitchen reflects the interior's minimalist range of materials. Granite and contrasting dark walnut used as flooring in the rest of the house are found here too on the floor, as a feature wall, and as countertops and a table top.

However, the owners wanted a heavy-duty feel for the kitchen and to address this Skaptason introduced stainless steel. As well as appliances, including the feature, oversized island range hood, the entire bank of wall cabinetry is fronted in this shiny, professional-look material.

"The need for a hard-wearing kitchen dictated other elements too," says Skaptason. "There are two dishwashers and sinks, and the large island is used for homework as well as food preparation."