Retail Observer

MARCH 2024 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 35 Cabana Kitchen — Eager to take advantage of empty yard space, remedy a lack of shade, and optimize outdoor entertaining, the clients wanted to capitalize on their existing – but definitely underutilized – pool and lawn. Varicolored ledgestone captures the earthy tones of the surrounding landscape and the vibrant blues reflecting from the pool. Hard-working quartzite countertops define the kitchen/bar area, and a striking floor-to-ceiling media wall serves as the backdrop to a fire-table centered in the lounge area. The kitchen, fully outfitted with luxury appliances, equally manages cocktails and hors d'oeuvres or a sizable banquet. A pop-up outlet on top of the counter is available for blenders, coffee pots, and other portable appliances needed for caterers, and two outlets under the counter charge phones and devices. A welcoming cabana and kitchen, zoned to accommodate a multitude of scenarios. The space can be tailored to meet the diverse needs of a busy family and has become the home's new center for activity. This design embraces the best of outdoor living and working with purpose and panache! Wrap Around Working Pantry/Dirty Kitchen — The main kitchen was to remain uncluttered, allowing multiple cooks to work uninterrupted while hosting, prepping, serving, cooking, and entertaining simultaneously. A distinctive bank of cabinetry was designed to serve as a partition that would appear from the main kitchen as a beautiful bar with warm white oak accents, fluted glass doors, and an innovative backsplash that raises to reveal a pass- through to the working pantry cleverly disguised on the opposite side. Continuing past the bar, we discover a set of wall ovens tucked discreetly into the end of the partition and a lovely workstation sink set into a gorgeous marble countertop with an integrated drainboard and stunning marble backsplash capped with a book-matched marble shelf. The cleanup station is washed in natural light from a side window and is lit by a drum fixture suspended from a brass swing arm wall sconce and adorned with a framed print of The Rum Runner by Andrew Wyeth. The muted tones of the print blend seamlessly with the natural pigments of gray, blue, green, and gold that swirl inside the creamy white marble set upon a base of deep teal blue cabinets. SECOND PLACE / SPECIALTY KITCHEN THIRD PLACE / SPECIALTY KITCHEN Kimberly Kerl Kustom Home Design Photo: Sam Brockington, Brockington Photography Cindy Steele Fleur de Lis Designs Photo: Ross Pushinaitis, Exceptional Frames

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