The owners of this high-rise unit subscribe to a healthy, whole foods diet that emphasizes fresh food blending and juicing/ One of the goals of the kitchen remodel was to design a juicing/prep center that would accommodate a plethora of small appliances that would be convenient to the primary sink, bust easily concealed when not in use. They also entertain frequently and wanted to expand the kitchen to include a separate area for bar service.

To take full advantage of the spectacular view and facilitate interaction between the kitchen and adjacent living areas for casual entertaining, the perimeter walls of the kitchen were removed. Unchanged, is a building column that houses mechanical elements that provides the basis for some wall cabinetry storage, including a tall tambour unit that is the central element in an efficient blending/juicing station and meal preparation area. Small appliances remain plugged in and are easily accessible to a generous counter top and water source. Under counter refrigerator drawers keep fresh fruits and vegetables close at hand. Specialized storage is provided for cutting boards, spices, knives, and other utensils.

An angles peninsula allows seating for two. It also provides generous counter top for the preparation area while separating it from a newly created entertainment bar that includes an ice maker, second sink, and additional seating for guests.

The former Family Room is re-purposed for dining, allowing for expansion of the kitchen footprint. Extending the back wall to accommodate additional appliances, and wrapping the return in Wenge dramatically brackets the space while creating a narrow walk-through pantry with shallow shelves.

Formaldehyde free and low VOC products were specified with health and sustainability in mind. A mix of materials, textures, and finishes include light colored engineered stone counter tops, sparkling glass, river stone backsplash, and crisp white painted cabinetry that contrasts nicely with the dark wood veneer accents on the display soffit, dining wall, and bar knee wall. The subtle texture of the hand brushed cabinet finish coordinates with the striations of the Wenge. Several radii and free-form curves soften angles and nod to the undulation soffits/ceiling details of adjacent spaces. A combination of transitional and contemporary cabinet details, clean architectural hardware, and upgraded stainless appliances, result in an exquisite, eclectic aesthetic.

OBJECTIVES:
•Open up and expand space
•Provide efficient whole food processing station
•Include comfortable seating for two within the kitchen
•Create separate entertainment/hospitality area to include separate sink
•Upgrade appliances and increase storage capacity
•Integrate curves to echo those in adjacent living areas

DESIGN CHALLENGES:
•Design around structural columns within limited footprint
•Plumbing limitations inherent in high rise
•Provide adequate concealed storage for multiple small appliances near primary sink
•Treatment of high ceilings resulting from removal of existing soffits

DESIGN SOLUTIONS:
•Remove perimeter walls and reconfigure living/dining spaces
•Deep, tall tambour houses small appliances in efficient blending station
•Peninsula within kitchen provides additional counter top, seating for two, and separation for bar area
•Secondary sink, ice maker, and wine storage added to bar area

SPECIAL FEATURES:
•Large curved peninsula maximizes view and interaction with living area (includes retracting screen to help conceal kitchen for formal entertaining)
•Soft curves in peninsulas and bar top
•Contrasting Wenge display soffit above storage cabinets closes gap to high ceiling
•Texture of hand-brushed painted finish coordinates with striations of Wenge veneer.
•Walk-through pantry with shallow shelving integrated into wood veneer wall
•“Invisible” power outlets (below wall cabinets and “pop-up” in counter top) result in clean, uninterrupted splashes.