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Knurled It
By : Natalia Pierce CMKBD
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Residence / Kitchen : Bronze Certification
The goal of this space was to open up all the walls between the kitchen, dining room and a small nook behind the kitchen where the client was using this space as a small office. The open space would allow for much more natural light to enter the kitchen and improve functionality. The client is an avid cook making the appliance choices crucial to achieving the goals. The design layout was planned to ensure the optimal flow of how our client functions. Every cabinet was organized for ideal storage locations for tools and appliances. Drawer organization, pull-out pantries, vertical dividers, roll-outs, and a pot filler – not only near the cooktop but accessible to the coffee machine, were all selected to maximize functionality.
Three bonus areas are included in this space.
- Lower bank of cabinets under the windows that replace a buffet and China cabinet. Making this an extension of both the kitchen and dining room this space can be used as a serving station for large dinner parties yet double as extra storage for seasonal or entertaining serve ware.
- The space beyond the kitchen into the bay window feels like part of the kitchen but provides more office storage. The open shelves allow for wine decanter storage and display as well as other wine-inspired materials.
- A small section of cabinets at the top of the kitchen was originally intended to add a second sink. Unfortunately, the disruption needed in the finished basement for the drain was too invasive and eliminated from the project. The space allows for a place to set things coming in and out from the three-season room or allow for extra display and storage.
Key features found in this space include:
- Waterfall quartz countertop reaching almost 12 feet (140”)
- Matching Brizo Litze gold and black faucet to the Emtek select hardware with the knurled texture
- Advanced lighting layout with optimally located recessed pot lighting, undercabinet lighting -flush-mounted into panels finishing the underneath side of the wall cabinets, interior cabinet lighting, and a custom pendant design for over both the large-scale island and dining table. Each layer of lighting offers functionality and ambiance when natural light is not available.
- Trash/recycling center with paper towel dispenser and forward-facing GFCI electrical receptacle next to the sink
- Recessed seating on the back side of the island utilizing extra storage with touch-latch doors to avoid the knee bruising hardware can create. The fabric selected for the custom stools is mirrored in the texture of the backsplash tile.
- Hidden pop-up receptacle along the wood top (under the window) for serving when a small appliance might be needed
Once the functionality was nailed down the finish selection was purposely selected to be dramatic with a combination of black-stained white rift oak for the base cabinets and natural birch for the wall. Add the metal frame glass doors, black panel doors for the appliances, and finished off with the black and knurled gold hardware to complete the space.
Collaboration
