Center of attention

A dramatic drop ceiling, balanced cabinetry elements and use of rich surface materials ensure this kitchen echoes the rest of the home's design

View of the family room which features curved ceiling, floor, flooring, interior design, living room, real estate, room, wood flooring, gray — View of the family room which features curved ceiling and windows, a sliding door separates family room from the kitchen.

View of kitchen featuring kitchen island with 4 ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, daylighting, floor, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, gray, brown

View of kitchen featuring kitchen island with 4 countertop, dining room, interior design, kitchen, room, gray, black

View of kitchen featuring kitchen island with 4 countertop, interior design, kitchen, living room, gray, black

View of kitchen and dining area featuring glass ceiling, dining room, estate, home, interior design, living room, real estate, room, gray

View of kitchen featuring kitchen island with 4 cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, home appliance, interior design, kitchen, room, gray, brown

View of kitchen featuring kitchen island with 4 cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, interior design, kitchen, room, gray

View of kitchen featuring a stainless steel range countertop, hearth, interior design, kitchen, room, gray

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Part of any kitchen design is consideration of the spaces that surround it. This might mean something as subtle as cabinetry detailing echoing wood elements found elsewhere in the home, or as grand as a giant curved dropped ceiling reminiscent of the architecture of the entire house.

This kitchen, by architect Michael Hershenson, is part of a long, narrow residence set on the side of a large ravine. Placed centrally within a run of open-plan rooms, the kitchen's design defers to its surroundings, says Hershenson.

"The sweeping curve of the suspended ceiling that helps define the kitchen, and the curve of the kitchen island both relate back to the form of the house itself, which is a picture of gracefully arching forms," says the architect. "Even the adjacent breakfast area on one side and the family room on the other have curving exterior walls."

These adjacent rooms help shape the kitchen in other ways, too. The kitchen is partly in sight of the breakfast area, but has been positioned so practical aspects of cooking and food preparation are out of sight from the table. Similarly, the family room is only a few paces from the kitchen, but in this area Hershenson introduced sliding doors, enabling separation of the two.

View of architectural drawings. angle, area, artwork, black and white, design, drawing, font, line, line art, product, product design, structure, technical drawing, white — View of architectural drawings.

Besides design forms and strategic positioning that connects to the greater space, the kitchen is also a product of the owners' interests. One owner is an interior designer and her interest in design is reflected in the kitchen's rich material palette.

"Surfaces such as limestone countertops and flooring, and minimalist-grained wenge cabinetry all contribute to this feel," says Hershenson. "We were also asked to include several niche areas to display the owner's artworks and other objects."