On a grand scale

To better suit the generous proportions of this rambler home, and the entertaining needs of the owners, the new kitchen features deeper counters and a freestanding wine bar

A view of a kitchen designed by Richard cabinetry, countertop, dining room, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, room, wood, wood flooring, orange, brown — A view of a kitchen designed by Richard Landon of Richard Landon Design.

A view of a kitchen designed by Richard countertop, interior design, kitchen, real estate, restaurant, brown, orange

A close up view of a kitchen designed cabinetry, countertop, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, real estate, room, under cabinet lighting, wood flooring, brown, orange

A view of a kitchen designed by Richard cabinetry, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, room, wood, wood flooring, wood stain, orange

A close up view of a kitchen designed cabinetry, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, laminate flooring, room, tile, wood, wood flooring, wood stain, orange, brown

A close up view of a kitchen designed cabinetry, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, interior design, kitchen, lobby, room, table, tile, wood, orange, brown

Proportion is everything when you are embarking on a major remodeling project, and this applies just as much to the kitchen as any other space in the house.

Designer Richard Landon says the original kitchen in this rambler-style house was much smaller and darker. It was on the north side of the house, exposed to the street, and the first point of entry to the home. It was also disconnected from the surrounding rooms and entertaining deck, and the storage was inadequate.

"Today, the kitchen is such a focus for everyday living and entertaining, it made more sense to move it into the light-filled space formerly taken by the living room," Landon says. "We removed a wall, raised the ceiling and introduced new skylights, so the whole space is a lot larger, lighter and brighter. It is also much better suited to entertaining we even had space to introduce a freestanding wine bar, which provides wine storage on the other side."

The kitchen was designed to fit the proportions of the space. The red birch cabinets have 4½in-frame rail and stiles, and the cabinets are 30in deep, and up to 39in tall.

"The cabinetry has a very substantial presence, which is keeping with the size of the kitchen," Landon says. "And because the owners are tall, we made the height of the countertops 37½in and 39in."

Circulation through the space was another key consideration. To enhance the flow, the kitchen has a J-shaped island bartop, and the freestanding wine bar caters to entertaining needs outside of the main working area.

Colors and materials were largely driven by the oak floors and the array of wine bottles with all the different corks, labels and green bottles, says Landon.

The golden tones in the oak floor show up in the Golden Jade granite countertops and in the flamed copper on the front of the island. The flamed copper creates visual interest and provides a practical surface that withstands kick marks.

"There is also a distinct scaling of textural elements in the kitchen, from the very fine vibrant band of Brix mosaic tiles on the island backsplash, to the medium grain of the granite, and finally to the very rough texture of the ragged end of the glass bartop. This edge also has a touch me' quality, inviting guests to come and run their fingers over it.

"Because the couple love cooking together, they each have an induction cooktop on the island with a sink shared between them. When they need more counter space, a butcher's block can be put over the sink. As in ballet, cooking together becomes a grand pas de deux."