Chef's special

With its luxurious material palette, matching seating and high-performance appliances, this large family kitchen has a distinctive restaurant look

The kitchen is divided into a series of cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, wood, wood flooring, brown, gray — The kitchen is divided into a series of connected zones. A large square island forms the food preparation area, while an elliptical island provides a serving area, and a place for casual dining.Kitchens On Montana

The simply styled cabinet doors have maple framing, cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, wood, wood flooring, brown

Curved elemnts soften the square lines of the cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, room, under cabinet lighting, wood, wood flooring, brown

The designer has provided a separate breakfast area cabinetry, ceiling, countertop, cuisine classique, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, wood flooring, brown, gray

This transitional kitchen, designed by Lisa Steinbach Schecter, cabinetry, countertop, cuisine classique, dining room, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, brown

Family kitchens often have to function on several levels they must work on a day-to-day basis ensuring the smooth running of the household, but they must also be equipped for entertaining.

Kitchen designer Lisa Steinbach Schecter of Kitchens on Montana says the secret to a successful design is the creation of separate zones with an easy flow between these areas.

This remodeled kitchen, designed by Lisa Steinbach Schecter, illustrates just how effective such an approach can be. The designer says the original kitchen, which occupied the same space, featured awkwardly shaped islands, with a large, load-bearing post right in the center of the main thoroughfare.

"The family probably spends 90% of their time in the kitchen and adjoining den, so it needed to work for them," she says. "It had to be a warm, livable space that would be great for entertaining."

To improve the flow, Steinbach Schecter created two islands one a large, square work zone, the other an elliptically shaped serving area with a bar top and casual seating. Major appliances are positioned within the perimeter cabinetry.

"The design almost creates a figure eight movement between the main areas," says Steinbach Schecter. "It also ensures the owners can socialize with guests and family, but still have an uninterrupted work space."

As the owners have very colorful tastes and a vibrant art collection, the designer says it was essential the kitchen would not overwhelm the art. Consequently, the kitchen was designed so its beauty would be expressed in the play of materials and the tonal contrasts.

The two islands feature rosewood-stained maple cabinetry, with recessed panels of curly maple providing a subtle, elegant patterning. The perimeter cabinets and separate breakfast station beside the dining table have a light buttercream stain. Warm Brazilian cherry flooring bridges the light and dark shades to create a harmonious look.

"This is a transitional-style kitchen," says Steinbach Schecter. "The square lines of classical architecture are there, but they are softened by the addition of curved elements, such as the doors on the elliptical island, the hood and open shelving, which reference the Beidermeier style."

The curved elements are repeated in the subtle shape of the brackets beneath the hood and the open shelving above a desk area. The rolled edge of the countertops also helps to visually soften the look.

To enhance the warm, inviting ambiance, Steinbach Schecter specified Red Dragon granite for most counter surfaces.

"This is a unique material along with the red tonings, there are rivers of teal running through the stone. Both the countertops and the decorative glass tiles on the backsplash help to enliven the kitchen."

The continuity of materials is evident throughout the space it extends to the custom-designed dining table, which features a curly maple decorative border. Chairs, bar stools and banquette seating are all upholstered in copper leather.