Japanese sensibility
It doesn't take much a subtle choice of door glass here and a fresh surface finish there can transform an ordinary kitchen into a highly personalized one.
However, for this remodeling project by kitchen designer Dana Jones, major changes were required before the finer touches could be addressed. The original design had resulted in a cramped galley kitchen and a separate windowless dining space, with the two areas divided by an interior wall, says Jones.
"The first thing was to remove this wall and relocate the dining room door for improved pedestrian flow," says Jones. "New windows were introduced in the kitchen area and these play light across the room to the banquette seating."
The Japanese shoji screen above the dining table was also part of the remodel. This covers an opening to the family room which has replaced the repositioned door.
"An emphasis for this project was to create a comfortable space for the owner to use one infused with a Japanese or Asian sensibility," says the designer.
"Several elements contributed to this feel. One important example is setting the three upper windows in asymmetrical balance with the new range hood a look associated with Asian design principles."
Jones selected a bamboo veneer for both the cabinetry and accent walls. This is set horizontally, emphasizing a linear look right through the kitchen.
"Also playing an important role are the shoji screens. I designed one as part of the end cabinet first and the owner liked it so much that he asked me to repeat the screen over the dining area alcove."
Another request of the owner was for curved lines in the design. This set up a playful contrast between the linear kitchen cabinetry and the rounded back of the banquette seating, the cylindrical, raised end dais, and the circular table.
To help maintain the overall balance between spaces, a square pendant light was set above the dining table.
A further design consideration was the play between dark and light. The blond bamboo cabinets are offset by the dark furniture-like cabinet, the dark wood of the banquette seating and, more subtly, the dark band of color on the range hood.
Oak flooring in other living areas has been continued into this space. The wood floor strikes a middle tone between the light and the dark surfaces.
"A flecked green glass backsplash on the rear wall creates a colorful feature within the open-plan room," says Jones.