Artistic circles bring connections in this Lars Peterssen design

In interior design, linking elements between one space and the next can be as obvious as matching furniture pieces, or as subtle as a motif on a sofa in one room being echoed on a custom kitchen countertop in another.

This remodel, by architect Lars Peterssen and Andrew Edwins with input from the owner, connects well with its surroundings the dining room one way and family room the other. The original, fairly standard kitchen had suffered from tired white cabinetry that did not do justice to the refined, classic residence, says Peterssen.

"In its place the homeowner requested a more contemporary, minimalist aesthetic led by sleek, functional European-style cabinetry with clean-lined, linear hardware. The owner played a very active role in this design and this included selecting the custom red color for the reflective automotive paint on the lower cabinets.

"Upper cabinets in ash lighten the space and contrast with the red cabinetry, and there is a sculptural effect where these elements overlap."

The kitchen connects with adjoining spaces in various ways, with the links to the family room the strongest. Some cabinets had partially blocked pedestrian flow between the two areas and these were removed and not replaced. The most prominent connections are in tones and pattern, for example, the glass tile backsplash. With a custom blend by the owner, it features hand-picked tiles that respond to similar hues in the kitchen and the adjacent family living space.

Another discreet tie between these rooms is the soft swirls on the hand-made cushions of the Roche Bobois Mah Jong sofa and a similar pattern on the Trove wallpaper set under the glass countertop of the island.

In the other direction, the entry to the dining room was also transformed. In this area, the casing and doorjambs were retained on the dining room side but removed on the kitchen side, with the pale cabinets taken up to and over the door, evoking a lighter feel and providing further storage. The different treatments ensure the kitchen side follows the modern ambiance while the dining room retains its classic feel.

An existing run of windows and the black marble tile flooring, introduced by Peterssen, also help draw these spaces together visually.

Story by: Trendsideas