303 Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas
Ernesto Santalla PLLCExcerpted from Washington Home & Design Magazine, Jan/Feb 2012
Full Potential
Once ridiculed as “antipasto on the Potomac,” the Watergate complex designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti has become one of Washington’s most respectable addresses. But its curvaceous 1960s architecture still poses design challenges for residents seeking to transform their outdated apartments for contemporary living.
Inside, the living area now extends from the terrace door to the kitchen and an adjoining nook for watching TV. The rear wall of the kitchen isn’t tiled or painted, but covered in boards made of recycled wood fiber, fly ash and cement. A row of fir cabinets stands out against the gray panels and white-lacquered drawers under the Corian countertops add more contrast. “I now enjoy cooking so much more,” says the homeowner. “The previous kitchen had very little counter space and storage, and very little connection to the rest of the apartment.”
“A neutral color scheme allows sculptural objects, in this case iconic furniture, and artwork to stand out,” says Santalla. “An element of contrast, such as a tone or a texture, adds richness to the palette.”
In the master bedroom, Santalla designed the bed frame with attached nightstands and upholstered the adjacent wall to create an oversized headboard. He created a television stand on the adjacent wall that allows the screen to swivel so it can be viewed from the bed or terrace.
Of all the renovation challenges facing the couple, one of the most problematic was deciding what to do with the original parquet floors in the living space. Santalla came up with the idea of staining the existing wood and extending the same dark tone to the terrace floor.
“Now the indoor and outdoor parts of the apartment are integrated to create an almost seamless space,” says the homeowner. “The design succeeds in realizing the promise of what the Watergate can be.”
Project completed in collaboration with Treacy & Eagleburger.
Photography by Alan Karchmer
UserAdorned with white shaker cabinets, this kitchen encompasses the neutrality of gray industrial elements. A tall wall comprised of integrated refrigeration and freezer, frames the stainless steel ovens. An island with a sink and adjacent dishwasher, make for easy prep, cooking, and cleaning situated near the range. A cooking cove with custom arched cabinetry replaces traditional glass inserts with metal. Informal seating at bar height level makes the overall space inviting.
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Arnal PhotographyArnal Photography
This homeowner renovated semi-detached home in Toronto is one of those rare spaces I recently photographed for a realtor friend. From what the homeowner has told me, the stained glass and light fixtures were with the house… in the attic… when they purchased it. Over a period of years they removed plaster, revealing the brick behind it, closed in the wall between the dining room and the living room (which had been opened by a previous owner) using the stained glass panels. The interesting thing was that the stained glass panels were all slightly different sizes, so their treatment in mounting them had to be especially careful.
They also paid particular attention to maintaining the heritage look of the space while upgrading utilities and adding their own more modern touches. The eclectic blend just adds to the charm of the home. Not afraid of bright colour, the daughter’s room is a shocking shade of orange, but somehow, it works!
Unfortunately, being the photographer, I have little information on sourcing aside from knowing that the kitchen is from Ikea. That said, I think this is a space that holds inspiration beyond the imagination!
Alair Homes DallasSleek modern kitchen in charcoal tones touting a state of the art glass adorned range hood- JR Hammel Construction Services
Welch Forsman AssociatesCabinetry by Ingrained Wood Studios: The Lab.
Millwork by Ingrained Wood Studios: The Mill.
© Alyssa Lee Photography
303 Contemporary Kitchen Design Ideas
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