Room Guide: Gourmet Kitchens, Part 2

We are continuing our room guide from last month with a few more beautiful gourmet kitchens and some design tips on how these looks were achieved...

Inverness

This kitchen is much more than just a place to prepare meals. The large island, with seating for four and views of both the lake and the woods, provides the ideal spot for impromptu get-togethers. Each element in the dazzling kitchen was chosen for elegance and ease. The island is topped with Cambrian Cream sandstone providing unbeatale looks and easy clean up. While select appliances are paneled to match the cabinets, others stand out with a bold splash of Viking blue. Rather than a traditional backsplash, all-over tiles lend a satisfying visual texture and pull together the home's color palette as they sparkle with blues and greens.

-Excerpts from Grand Rapids Magazine,

Design Home 2009,

written by Brenda Cooke

Kearney Hill

Situated at one end of the home, with access to the centrally located living area, this kitchen gives the wide-open spaces feel of an old farmhouse. Clean, white board and batten ceilings and built-in cabinetry balance the rich walnut-stain of the floor. Expansive counters provide ample preparation space, with a sink at each end. Tiles line the back wall bringing a splash of color to the room, while large windows line every wall, taking advantage of bright natural light and gorgeous lake views. Ideal for entertaining, the island features barstool seating and a nearby serving hutch provides a wine cooler, icemaker and additional sink. Beautiful stained glass china cabinets are backlit to enhance displays, and custom-designed appliance paneling adds to the elegance of the space.

Wainsborough

Design inspirations drawn from Western mountain residences and Heritage Hill lend distinctive, textured character to this home' gracious kitchen. Having a kitchen that feels more like a gathering space, with furniture-like characteristics, was important to the homeowners. Raised-panel, hand-finished cabinetry - mirroring the dining bay and music room - have inset doors. Lower perimeter cabinets - distressed alder with Tuscan glaze - are complemented by cream-hued, mullioned glass upper units echoing the home's retro transom windows. An appealing argyle backsplash offers visual interest, and the large island, topped by ivory, black, and deep coppery gold-tone granite, which complements the cabinets - serves as the kitchen's focal point. The island offers custom-designed features including a pull-out bookshelf for the homeowners' collection of cookbooks, as well as a pull-out table for extra seating. Panels conceal the kitchen's commercial-grade, state-of-the-art appliances.

-Excerpts from Grand Rapids Magazine,

Design Home 2007,

written by Wade Rouse

Clareville

Attention to detail combined with the artful incorporation of modern appliances make the Clareville kitchen a perfect example of beauty and functionality working flawlessly together. This room manages to be cozy and inviting, while still providing ample space for entertaining large parties. Exquisite granite surfaces serve as prep areas as well as extra seating. Appliances are flush within the design of custom cabinetry. Quaint meets sophisticated in an oval porthole window surrounded by a diamond-tiled backdrop. In contrast with the neutral tones of the walls and cabinetry, the center island and craftsman-style oven hood are stained in a warm cherry. Adjacent to the circular island seating is the formal dining table, allowing the kitchen and dining areas to function as one large gathering space. Large windows surround the room, supplying natural light and beautiful lake views during dinner.

Muirfield

Inspiration for this impressive and spacious kitchen came from the client's desire for a beautiful, comfortable place to cook, spend time with family, and entertain. With a penchant for the past, and a need for all that modern technology and kitchen trends have to offer, the client's every requirement was met in this design. Intricate woodwork dominates the scene. No detail was overlooked, evidenced by hand-carved pilasters and delicate motifs gracing heavy ceiling beams. Arched pelmets accommodate valances and soften windows without compromising the exterior structure. The room is centrally located, making it the perfect place from which to run the home, entertain guests and gather as a family. Despite the large parameters (16'x20'), a smart layout and old-world detailing allow this country-style kitchen to maintain a homey feel. Adjacent to this space is the formal dining room. The client expressed frustration with layouts that inhibit access between the two. Subsequently, a pass-through buffet was designed to oblige effortless service at meal times. In order to keep the opening optional, custom doors were added to hide all evidence of this novelty when closed.