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26 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | September 2015 I t began as a project that was just going to include new countertops and tile, along with the addition of a wine refrigerator. However, a seem- ingly simple suggestion to also redo the island sparked an evolution that turned this Minneapolis, MN con- dominium kitchen into a space that ofers a dramatic change of style for the owners while better refecting the modern loft building's sophisticated architecture. "I suggested adding a new island to accommodate the wine refrigerator," says Liz Schupanitz, who indicates that the existing island was also somewhat small in relation to the sink wall. "Then the owner realized she really didn't like her oven below the counter and would instead like an oven in the wall." The rest, as they say, is history. THE NEW MISSION The CKD/associate ASID and owner of Liz Schupanitz Designs in Plymouth, MN worked with Quality Home Trans- formations on a more in-depth design that would focus on creating a mod- ern kitchen that ft the architecture of the building. However, the design also had to blend with the owner's eclectic decorating style and the existing ma- ple built-ins that were visible from the open kitchen. And, the designer needed to accomplish this goal while keeping the sink and cooktop in the same tight proximity due to building restrictions. Since the owner frequently cares for her two young grandchildren, in- corporating easy-to-care-for surfaces was important as well. "They also wanted freedom from the upkeep on an older home and they saw this as their last home," she adds. Schupanitz began her new mission by choosing richly stained custom wal- nut fat-panel cabinets from Woodshop of Avon to complement the existing clear-fnished maple built-ins and give focus to the room. "I was trying to cre- ate a more sophisticated look to match the elegant design of the condo," she says. "It has 12'-tall ceilings, exposed ductwork and foor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto an historic mill and the Mississippi River." Because the space is very open and undefned – with a sitting area, grand piano area and TV/living area all exposed to the kitchen – Schupanitz used the cabinets, espe- cially the countertop cabinets on each side of the sink/cooktop area, to help defne the space. "I wanted the kitchen to be a calming place, very visually quiet in an otherwise busy space full of an eclectic mix of furniture…both modern and traditional," she says. She contrasted the dark cabine- try, which is accented with Schaub pulls in a living fnish, with a series of white back-painted glass upper cabi- nets above the cooktop and sink. "The owners are both tall, so the cabinets are usable and reachable," she notes. "They were kept high to make the sink wall feel open – which was one of their goals – and to create a focal point for the tile." The designer and her client were immediately drawn to the hand-craft- ed stained glass tile, in part because of its namesake: Be Bop from Artistic Tile. "She is a futist who played in a quartet part time," she says. "The mu- sician in her loved that [name]! "It may be a bit of an unusual choice of tile for a kitchen," she con- tinues, "but framed by the white glass cabinets and fanking walnut cabinets, it makes a modern statement." To fulfll the need for low-mainte- nance countertops and to contrast the tile, Schupanitz topped the sink/cook- top area with organic white Cambria Newport quartz countertops. The tile and quartz are repeated as an accent in a niche between the refrigerator and wall oven. By Kim Berndtson Project Case Study { Spotlight on creative, problem-solving kitchens and baths } Island Transforms Kitchen Project INITIATORS FOR CHANGE The two 'initiators' to the entire kitchen model were an undercounter wine refrigerator the owner wanted to add and an oven she wanted to move. Schupanitz accommodated both requests, with the former being answered by enlarging the island, which served two benefts: one being to make room for the undercounter Sub-Zero wine refrigerator and the second being to enhance the island's proportions in relationship to the sink wall. The designer also moved the new Wolf oven to a wall location to better accommodate the owners' tall stature. SEAMLESS INTEGRATION In addition to the Wolf black glass wall oven, Schupanitz also included a Sub-Zero refrigerator, which blends into the design, as does the Miele dishwasher and Wolf microwave drawer and cooktop with Thermador downdra ft ventilation kit, which was required due to the condo's concrete foor and ceiling. "All of the appliances were chosen for their seamless integration," she says.