Raw ingredients

Warehouse lofts are notable for their large airy interiors and soaring ceilings. They're also not as compartmentalized as many traditional homes invariably the kitchen is an integral part of a spacious open-plan living area.

This new property, on a Venice Beach corner site, was designed on similar lines by the owners, architect John Reed and interior designer Marisa Solomon-Reed of Reed Architectural Group.

The main living area is a voluminous, double-height space with bowstring trusses, a wood-lined ceiling, exposed brickwork, spiral metal ducting and architectural grilles.

Set along one wall within this space, the kitchen is sleek and contemporary.

"The kitchen was born from the architecture," says Marisa Solomon-Reed. "Because we live in one space, we wanted the kitchen to look like furniture, rather than a utilitarian workspace. The kitchen forms a backdrop to the living area and it needed to look like part of the house. We also didn't want clutter on display."

To this end, the kitchen is essentially two kitchens one for show and one hidden behind sliding laminated glass doors. The concealed kitchen, which hides the food prep and clean-up areas, accommodates a sink, dishwasher, large oven, refrigerator and laundry appliances. The architectural kitchen incorporates the cooktop and coffee machine, and a steam oven and microwave-convection oven within a large island.

The dining table is an extension of the island its espresso-stained, rift-sawn American white oak top is supported by contemporary steel legs.

Similar dark-stained oak features on a bank of cabinets against the wall. Sleek, brushed stainless steel cabinets frame these tall storage units and house the coffee machine and a wine refrigerator.

The architectural look is further enhanced by the visual link between the two kitchens the cabinets appear to extend through the dividing wall.

Natural light floods the kitchen, from a high window in the wall that helps to conceal a neighboring property, and from a wide opening to a large terrace. This outdoor living area is semi-enclosed, with its own fireplace. Elevated above the street, it provides another private retreat for the owners.

Story by: Trendsideas