Kitchen of the Week: Whimsical and Modern in Houston

The family wanted their house to be designed in a "Texas, Deco and industrial style." It took some time for the pair to get a good grasp of the unusual aesthetic request. After several meetings, they came up with a plan that implemented bright color, bold shapes and a clear view of the front yard.

Designing the island was one of the most challenging tasks in the kitchen. The island is curved and canted, which made it difficult for the cabinet designer to work with. "He was used to making islands in a box shape, and instead he had to think in curves and in angles," Reardon says. The stainless steel metal bar was built as a footrest, much like what you'd see at a bar.

Tile on column: Black Penny tile
Countertop: Silestone
Island: Caesarstone in Apple Martini

The team was inspired in part by the family's previous kitchen, which had a huge window overlooking the front yard. "They wanted to keep the window and the overall feeling of their old kitchen, even thought it was in a dated 50-year-old house," Reardon says. "But this new kitchen really does have the memory of the old house in it."

Sink: Blanco, Contempra Single Handle faucet
Lighting: Tech Lighting
Backsplash: Silestone

Since this home was certified LEED Gold, there are numerous sustainable elements in this kitchen. Quartz — one of the most abundant materials on the planet — was used for the countertops as an alternative to natural stone.

The lighting is all eco-friendly fluorescent lighting — the team worked hard to elevate the lighting in this kitchen beyond the standard idea of fluorescent lighting. The kitchen also has an abundance of natural light: the large window was designed to face north, so that other lighting wouldn't be necessary during the day. Bamboo flooring and Energy Star appliances round out the eco-friendly factors in the space.

Dishwasher: GE Profile 24" Built-In Dishwasher
Oven: GE Monogram Double Electric Wall Oven
Cabinetry: IKEA

The ceiling is Reardon's favorite part of the kitchen. "We had to drop the ceiling to run air-conditioning duct work. Furring it down gave an opportunity to play with circles and curves in the ceiling," she says.

The dining table is an oval-shaped granite table the clients had in their original house. The surfboard-shaped island was inspired in part by the table, but was meant to be more of a whimsical accent. "The rest of the kitchen is relatively plain, so the island really takes center stage," Reardon says.

Flooring: Bamboo flooring by Mannington
Hood: Wave Range Hood

More Kitchens of the Week:
A Warm and Eco-Friendly Update
Bright Mid-Century Remodel
Creative, Colorful, and Modern