Glamor kitchen by Iris Dankner

Convenience and functionality are integral aspects of any kitchen built today. However, this is only half the story the right material palette and feature elements can completely transform a kitchen into the focal point of your interior.

This white kitchen was the last stage of a remodel of a 1980s residence by designer Iris Dankner. The old kitchen had had its day, with chipped tile work, yellowed cabinets and stairs that had cramped the space.

The owners requested that the new kitchen, on show to various areas of the house, have a more glamorous appeal and Dankner addressed this in several ways, including tweaking the actual structure. One end of the space had a run of high clerestory windows, so the architecture was adjusted to introduce similar windows at the other end of the room, says Dankner.

"I also introduced a feature coffered ceiling in this area to add to the elegance and help draw the eye up through the voluminous space. In addition, we relocated the stairwell to another area, giving the room a graceful, easy flow."

The existing sliding door was removed and replaced with generous French doors with side windows that maximize natural light and views.

With the scene set, the designer introduced key elements that build the room's ambiance and the chandeliers played a leading part.

"We had these customized, making them smaller and longer to better suit the space," says Dankner. "The modern luminaires over the breakfast table at the other end of the room were selected by the owner and are actually inverted, to localize the play of light."

Other highlights are a sculptural fireplace positioned opposite the table and the television set into the backsplash, with a protective facing.

In terms of functionality, the cabinetry has been reshuffled, with the sink now under the kitchen window with a view out to a garden. The choice of flat-panel, transitional cabinetry contributes to the room's serene, uncluttered air.

"The existing island was large and square, limiting pedestrian flow and creating a hard-to-reach area in the middle, essentially wasting a large area of the work surface. In its place, I designed a longer, narrower island that further accentuated the flow of the room and provided a more all-round accessible surface."

The classic-look white cabinetry responds to the room's various areas of use. For example, the cabinetry beside the breakfast table includes the kitchen and breakfast area's only integrated appliances a bar refrigerator hidden away on one side and a refreshment station on the other.

"Contrast also plays an important part in this room's aesthetic," says Dankner. "The floor and table are in a custom dark stain to contrast the white cabinets. The walls above, in taupe, offer a more subtle contrast the tone here was taken from the color of the parchment blind."

Story by: Trendsideas