Retail Observer

MARCH 2021 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 37 A clean contemporary aesthetic was envisioned for this kitchen with a keen eye on an open floor plan as well as connecting both interior and exterior spaces. The cabinetry consists of hand-buffed polyester white cabinets, glass doors with reptile patterns, and matte finished richly stained wenge for the darker cabinet and countertop elements. A reversed waterfall design flowing from the top of the quad wall oven stack separates the kitchen from the dining room. These two spaces are visually connected with the two suspended illuminated canopies, one above each area. Countertop surfaces of rich cristallo quartzite stone situated adjacent to the solid wenge island continue the waterfall theme. Abundant and professional appliances are seamlessly blended into the cabinetry with accents of polished stainless steel highlighted on the micro-bevel edge of the perimeter glass wall cabinet doors as well as the mirror-polished stainless steel hood above the multipurpose cooktop elements. The main cleanup sink is located on the island while a secondary sink is located next to the cooktop. This prep sink allows both filling and emptying of pots, and serves as a salad prep area and a Vitamix station complete with refrigerator drawers below. Large-format white ceramic tile as flooring eliminates many grout lines and lends a highly reflective surface to this kitchen. Almost all of the cabinetry is devoid of hardware, keeping the lines simple and contemporary. Sunny Penthouse — Lack of space in this penthouse made it a poor fit for the mature couple who wanted this to be their "home away from home." We redistributed the space to allow for a more expansive cooking and breakfast area. Through preservation and integration, we custom designed the island table to allow for the couple to entertain and preserve and integrate the existing hood into the new design. With their dream of drinking a morning coffee while admiring the sunrise we transformed an old office adjacent to the kitchen and made it the breakfast nook. Proper space was lacking but we managed to frame the settee between disguised pantry columns. Sumptuous curves now define the space, with the Adolfo Prado Custom Kitchen Island in Calacatta marble and custom hood above adding a striking aesthetic, while light ceiling colors enhance the height sensation of the space and the wood backsplash gives the Ornare Australe cabinets a furniture look. Automated storage is hidden in the walls and ceiling, enhancing the spaces. Wolf cooking appliances, Miele dishwasher and Sub-Zero refrigerator completes the room. To finish, we built a custom bar to frame the kitchen entrance from the dining room encouraging and adding to the entertainment character and evoking a sense of hospitality. SECOND PLACE / LARGE CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN THIRD PLACE / LARGE CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN Blue Arnold, CMKBD, Owner Kitchens by Request Sandra Diaz-Velasco, AIA, ASID, LEED AP BD+C, Principal Architect EOLO A&I

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