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November 2015 | KitchenBathDesign.com | 25 With the original concerns ad- dressed, Robertson flled the space with features and elements that fur- ther improve functionality as well as aesthetics, while highlighting a rustic/ modern look. The rustic side of the design theme is supported by cerused rift-sawn white oak custom cabinets, designed by Robertson and built by Schrocks of Walnut Creek. "The color is very calming," she says. "We went with a warm gray theme to coordinate with the shade of the bark from the huge oak tree in the backyard. The fnish on the cabinets really steals the show!" Robertson accented the cabinetry with sleek, minimalist brass hardware from Schaub & Co.'s Italian Contem- porary Collection. "We aren't doing much brass," she notes. "But it's fun to bring it in sometimes. In this kitchen, it gives a bit of an historical feel, but its design is fully modern…and a little earthy, too." The designer repeated the brass in the Arteriors pendant lights that hang above the sink, as opposed to a more traditional place above the island. "I am very happy about that decision," she says. "Moving them to the sink wall opens up the space and draws the eye to the window. We added recessed lighting above the island, which pro- vides plenty of lighting." To support the modern side of the design theme, Robertson incorporated a clean cabinet door/drawer profle that, while contemporary, has more character than a plain full overlay, she notes. She complemented it with unadorned moulding that features a custom profle to match other details of the cabinetry. Honed, cross-cut white Macaubas quartzite on the perimeter counter- tops, island and backsplash furthers the modern theme. "I love how it integrates with the cabinet fnish," she says. The solid slab of stone behind the range keeps the space feeling clean and showcases the custom RangeCraft ventilation hood that is designed with a mix of brushed and non-directional stainless. "It's mas- sive, but not ostentatious…beautiful and impressive," she says. "It works as a focal point, especially with the slab of Macaubas quartzite." SPECIAL AREAS Robertson also incorporated a desk and breakfast bar area in the new plan. The desk matches the cerused oak in the rest of the kitchen and serves as 'command central' for the family's activities. To keep it tidy, the designer included an electronics charging station in one of the draw- ers and bulletin boards on the inside of the doors of the upper cabinets to corral notes and papers that would otherwise accumulate on the desktop. The breakfast bar is painted light gray – Benjamin Moore Nimbus Gray – to contrast with the cerused oak. "He really wanted painted cabinets," she says, "so we included them in this area. It really lightens up the whole space." Robertson tied the bar area into the rest of the kitchen by using ce- rused oak v-groove paneling as a backsplash. The custom fnish can also be seen on the interior of the up- per cabinets through the glass doors. To improve functionality, the designer added a second sink and incorporated a built-in paper towel holder as well as deep drawers for cereal and plastic drink bottles and a pull-out tray for serving platters, cut- ting boards, etc. A Sub-Zero beverage refrigerator provides visual balance and gives easy access to drinks. One challenge to the design was to maintain functionality while creating symmetry. "I wanted to keep it sym- metrical, as opposed to a jumble of cabinets," she says. On the backside of the kitchen desk and breakfast bar, Robertson added two identical mini bars. Each features a wine cooler, deep drawers and Lagos Dark limestone set atop rift-sawn oak in a stain to match the desktop. T he f i n a l sp ace Rob er t s on transformed was the laundry room. Her main goal with this room was to maximize storage. "I wanted to provide a place to tuck everything away," she says. As such, she added a rod for hang- ing clothes and plenty of storage over the washer, dryer and sink, includ- ing open shelves and Blum Aventos hardware that lifts the upper cabinet doors completely out of the way. A commercial-style canvas laundry bin on wheels holds up to three bushels of laundry and can easily roll from its storage location to the washer. Standard oak cabinets are stained with a driftwood fnish. "It warms it up and gives it a bit of gray while re- moving the natural pink undertones of oak," she says. "The homeowner chose a pretty marble mosaic as an accent." Photos: Jeff McNamara CREATE CONTRAST The breakfast bar contrasts with the rest of the kitchen and features painted cabinetry, which was a request of the husband. Cerused oak v-groove paneling matches the island and ties the breakfast bar into the rest of the kitchen. A second sink and built-in paper towel holder make it a convenient place for the kids to wash up, while deep drawers provide storage for cereal boxes and a beverage refrigerator keeps drinks cold and handy. RUSTIC/MODERN DESIGN THEME Robertson's clients wanted to include features and elements that highlighted a rustic/modern look. Cerused rift- sawn oak cabinetry supports the rustic side of the equation, while modern touches include the minimalist brass hardware from Schaub & Co. as well as the honed cross-cut white Macaubas quartzite on the perimeter and island countertops. The Sub-Zero Pro 48 refrigerator, with a clear glass door, ofers a bit of vintage, industrial vibe. MAXIMIZE STORAGE To maximize storage in the laundry room, Robertson added a rod for hanging clothes and open shelves, along with cabinetry with lift hardware that moves the upper cabinet doors completely out of the way. A commercial-style canvas laundry bin on wheels can easily roll from its storage location to the washer.