Kitchen & Bath Design News

SEP 2015

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September 2015 | KitchenBathDesign.com | 27 SPECIAL ELEMENTS While the overall appeal is for a visu- ally quiet space, the blue/grey Azul Aran granite island top helps make the design stand out. "It is stunning," she says. "The pictures don't do it jus- tice. A lot of people have grown tired of granite, but this is a relatively new introduction to the U.S., so it hasn't been used a lot yet. "Initially she was against granite because she had black granite that showed everything," the designer continues. "But she did like this slab. The island also creates a sophisticat- ed transition to the living areas and doubles as a bufet." Three art glass pendant lights crafted by local artisans at Hennepin Made foat above the island. "We had great fun with the lighting over the counter," says Schupanitz. "I designed the look, size and layout of the clus- tered pendants and they made the hand blown glass. It provides more of an ambient light, while the existing spots were moved closer to the ceil- ing to allow space for the pendants. They got the best of both worlds – with a combination of a conversation piece that looks soft and serene in the evening while keeping the very func- tional task lights." Additional lighting features in- clude tape lighting recessed into the glass cabinet at the sink wall to light up the sink and cooktop area as well as the countertop area between the refrigerator and wall oven. FOCAL-POINT WALL The sink/cooktop wall serves as the focal point for the space. Special features include white back-painted glass cabinets fanked by contrasting walnut countertop cabinets that are accented with modern, square pulls in a living fnish for a warm, organic feel. The countertop cabinets provide easy access for everyday glassware and dishes. The owner also gained storage space with a pantry just of the kitchen as well as with large pan drawers across from the cooktop and a more efcient wastebasket/recycling bin, oil and vinegar pull-outs close to the cooktop, spice drawers and a large utensil drawer. Both the designer and her client were immediately drawn to the leaf- shaped backsplash tile, which adds texture, movement and drama. "It may be a bit of an unusual choice of tile for a kitchen," she says, "but framed by the white glass cabinets and fanking walnut cabinets, it makes a modern statement." Schupanitz's client also loves the Kohler Poise sink for its integrated cutting board and bottom rack. She accented it with a Grohe Concetto faucet. ARTISAN GLASS PENDANT LIGHTS Serve as a conversation piece while providing ambient light AZUL ARAN GRANITE TOPPED ISLAND Provides a sophisticated transition to the living area while doubling as a bufet WHITE BACK- PAINTED GLASS CABINETS Contrast with the dark walnut cabinets and set of the backsplash tile SPECIAL FEATURES Schupanitz was also asked to integrate a new freplace into the existing bookshelves in the living area that can be seen from the kitchen. Its modern style complements the new kitchen as well as the maple built-ins throughout the space. Photos: Karen Melvin Photography

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