KBB - December 2011 - (Page 50)

Volumes, heights and materials are carefully balanced throughout, ensuring both high function and aesthetic elegance. Colors and finishes were carefully matched to a more masculine palette—black oak lower cabinetry with gray quartz countertops—and to provide timeless appeal. Work counters were kept to a uniform height, encouraging engagement between kitchen and living area, cook and diner. At the kitchen’s center, mid-height cabinets, skinned in stainless steel, create a dedicated appliance area featuring a garage with a pullout counter that was lowered to allow conversation and visibility from all angles (both gentlemen are over 6 ft. tall).The use of stainless steel provides light reflection, which visually manages—and reduces—the volume of the space. For the cabinetry on the one existing tall wall, Wilson-Wirth chose white lacquer, allowing it and the wall surface to read as one architectural plane. “It really feels less like cabinets and more like fully integrated architectural volume,” she said. “By eliminating walls and expanding windows, we limited the available wall space to incorporate tall cabinetry, so refrigeration columns and dedicated pantry solutions are concentrated on this single tall wall. Appliances are fully integrated with cabinetry panels, providing a furniture-like aesthetic appropriate to an open-plan.” A host of dedicated work zones—storage, prep, cooking, wet work, wine preservation and dining—accommodates multiple cooks in an accessible, ergonomic and functional manner. Chef-quality features and appliances enable and encourage the clients’ active everyday use. All cooking appliances are placed adjacent to work counters and the pullout counter inside the appliance garage. An induction cooktop, a convection steam oven and a convection oven with a pizza stone simplify and ease cooking needs, while promoting healthful and sustainable cooking behaviors. “The nature of an open-plan design requires creativity to hide and enclose typical kitchen clutter,” said Wilson-Wirth. So to control mess and clutter, she strategically placed sleekly integrated storage solutions, including the dedicated appliance garage for small appliances and pop-up totems housing electrical outlets. Each cabinet interior is outfitted with storage equipment, including pullout drawers; deep drawers for the ergonomic storage of pots and pans; trays for spices, knives and A white lacquer finish was chosen for the cabinets located on the kitchen’s one tall wall, creating the appearance of a single architectural plane. The finish also elegantly complements the dark oak of the base cabinets and the gray quartz countertops. utensils; adjustable dish organizers; and dedicated bins for trash, recycling and compost in prep area and under the sink. And it wouldn’t be a California—or a Wilson-Wirth—design without a thoughtful environmental approach. Green design features and products are integrated into the overall scheme. “Materials are applied in meaningful and appropriate ways,” she said. “Natural woods are sustainably grown and harvested, stainless-steel accents are fully recyclable and finishes are eco-intelligent, water-based and low-VOC.” The resulting kitchen “is a true gathering space—a contemporary plan allowing living, dining, cooking and socializing to coexist in a continual interlacing of relationships and activities,” said Wilson-Wirth. “The homeowners were able to reclaim their kitchen as an active space—and are really taking care of themselves.” Which, for Wilson-Wirth, is what it’s all about. n Designer: Lisa Wilson-Wirth, ckd—Wilson-Wirth Design, San Diego, CA; www.wilsonwirthdesign.com Architect: Bill Bocken, aia Manufacturers: Cabinetry (kitchen and bar): Arclinea; Countertops (kitchen and bar): CaesarStone; Induction cooktop, combi-steam oven, built-in espresso system: Gaggenau; Refrigerater, freezer and wine storage: Gaggenau; Sinks: Franke; Faucets: KWC; Bar stools and dining table/chairs: BoConcept Photography: © Brent Haywood, Brent Haywood Photography sources 50 + K BB December 2011 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com http://www.wilsonwirthdesign.com http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - December 2011

KBB - December 2011
Contents
Online Contents/News
Editorial
Show Director’s Note
Road to KBIS
Web Savvy
Consumer
2011 K+BB Product Innovator Awards
Trends
Products
Design
Breathing Room: A Kitchen Moves Past “Green 1.0”
Linear Nature
Practice
Ad Index
Favorites

KBB - December 2011