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40 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | April 2015 M ention the words 'luxury kitchen' and the phrase may conjure up pricey appliances, posh tile and expensive countertop materials, set amidst an enormously vast expanse that vaguely resembles a place where people might actually cook. However, when KBDN asked sever- al designers about how they creatively add luxury to kitchens on the small- er end of the square-foot spectrum, conversations moved beyond simply throwing a bunch of high-priced prod- ucts into a plan and calling it a day. DEFINING LUXURY Certainly high-end products and de- sign elements can elevate a space, especially when you consider how something like a built-in appliance or handmade tile makes a space look and feel. Admittedly, these are a good place to begin a discussion about luxury. "We define luxury design by products that ofer professional per- formance, or materials that heighten the experience of the space, wheth- er functional or aesthetic," offers Christy Bowen, CKD, CBD, Twelve Stones Design, in Austin, TX. She often collaborates with design/build frm Realty Restoration, LLC and remod- elers/architects David Davison and Christopher Davison to implement her designs. "A standard refrigerator will keep items cold, but a built-in model not only gives the user a more efciently designed space, but the aesthetics are superior as well," adds Christine Ramaekers, CKD/v.p., MainStreet Design Build, in Birmingham, MI. But that is just a place to start, they stress. "Luxury in a home is the ability to design a space that exceeds a per- son's needs," Ramaekers continues. "A luxurious renovation adds detail that an average home just doesn't have. Higher-end cabinetry has more select wood species with richer fnishes and more details with added accessories – such as cutlery dividers and pull- outs – that make a kitchen useful. It's also about honing in on a client's style, then fnding one key item to create an interesting focal point such as a fan- While not necessarily luxurious in square footage, these smaller kitchens feature designer creativity and plenty of luxury touches. Small Kitchen Inspirations By Kim Berndtson Luxury Impresses in Small Kitchens Photo: Kate Benjamin Photography