Breakfast and birdsong open design by Gustave Carlson

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Well-linked kitchen by Gustave Carlson

Open plan walnut kitchen cabinetry, countertop, dining room, home, interior design, kitchen, room, table, window, wood, gray, brown — Open plan walnut kitchen

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut cabinetry, countertop, dining room, home, interior design, kitchen, room, table, window, wood, gray, brown

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut architecture, ceiling, daylighting, home, house, interior design, real estate, window, brown, gray

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray, brown

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, home, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray, brown

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut ceiling, door, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, real estate, wall, wood, wood flooring, gray, brown

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, daylighting, interior design, kitchen, window, gray, brown

Breakfast and birdsong open design by Gustave architecture, daylighting, estate, home, house, interior design, living room, real estate, window, gray

Open plan walnut kitchen - Open plan walnut cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, dining room, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, brown, gray

Introducing a kitchen into a double-height space often requires an overview literally.

This kitchen is by designer Gustave Carlson. He says easy connections to surrounding interiors and the outdoor area, along with a lightness of spirit, were central to the design.

"A walk-in pantry avoided the need for upper cabinets on the perimeter, allowing an expanse of windows to take in the hillside garden opposite.

"I specified walnut for the cabinetry and island countertop to respond to the green outlook and to give the kitchen a furniture-like appeal. This look is a key feature of the design, as the kitchen is on show to adjacent rooms and an open loft space directly above. The ceiling under the loft and the baseboards are also in walnut."

In terms of layout, the prep and cleanup sinks were oriented to the views, which in turn led to the placement of the tight, efficient work triangles.

"An Indian cupboard is a playful touch, and is framed in walnut to draw it into the design. Similarly, on the opposite wall, a nook for the coffee maker and the pantry entrance are fronted by two canvas-wrapped sliding panels. These are painted blue and silver and are also framed in walnut."

Open plan walnut kitchen cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, dining room, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, brown, gray — Open plan walnut kitchen

Lighting in a double-height space can prove problematic. Here, Carlson designed a light trough that runs above the island. This holds pendants for ambient lighting and task lights for when the owners are cooking.