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October 2015 | KitchenBathDesign.com | 23 try stained in another Nakahara custom color, this time an earthy green Silver Sage. This is show- cased against a neutral backsplash of 3"x12" AKDO glass tile in Parch- ment. The cabinet doors/drawers feature a modifed Shaker style with proportions that lend themselves to an Asian aesthetic, which fulflls the Asian farmhouse design theme the homeowners desired. "This was an important aesthetic to them from the very beginning," says Nakahara. "They wanted a sort of Zen feel to their new kitchen." The designer vastly improved the kitchen's function when she added the entire wall of cabinetry adjacent to the cooktop, which in the previous foor plan was greatly underutilized since it was devoid of any storage or work surfaces. In the process, she en- larged the existing window and added a second sink to the space – a freclay farmhouse model that turns this area into the primary clean-up zone. A stainless steel pot rack above the sink provides easy access to pots and pans, and a magnetic knife strip mounted to the side of the cabinet accommodates cutting utensils. To balance the space, Nakahara added a rack that reaches from cabinet to cabinet above a second farmhouse sink on the opposite wall. The home- owner uses this one to hang plants, which was an important consideration for her. An oversized windowsill ac- commodates additional greenery. This area of the kitchen also fea- tures wall cabinets with glass doors that brighten the space and provide a bit of display space for dishes and glassware. A wine refrigerator and mi- crowave enhance functionality. Other special features in the kitchen include the Miele steam oven which, along with the Miele convection oven, graces the pantry/ built-in refrigerator wall. Cookbooks are stored neatly above the ovens and storage in the pantry, as well as throughout the kitchen, is enhanced with roll-out shelves. ADJOINING SPACES Since the kitchen opens into the Great Room/dining room area, Nakahara also had to ensure its new design complemented adjoining spaces, tak- ing into consideration the rustic dining room table made from reclaimed wood, which is accented with a series of pendant lights. "I love how they sparkle," she says. As part of the remodel, the homeowners also asked Nakahara to transform the fireplace in the Great Room. Its dramatic new façade matches the stonework columns at the kitchen's entrance and is com- plemented with a custom floating entertainment cabinet. "The freplace really is a focal point for the whole house," she says. "Everything works so well together." COMPLEMENTARY DESIGN The kitchen opens into the Great Room/dining room area, so Nakahara had to ensure its new design was complementary, taking into consideration the rustic dining room table made from reclaimed wood. She also transformed the freplace, giving it a dramatic new façade that matches the stonework columns at the kitchen's entrance and is complemented with a custom foating entertainment cabinet. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COUNTERTOP The peninsula countertop and the the perimeter countertops are made from a fbrous cement material with recycled paper and glass mixed with low-carbon cement. "It adds texture and depth," notes Nakahara. "I wanted something that would add a little bit of drama, yet give a nice grounded feel to the space." EFFICIENT STORAGE Storage in the pantry, as well as throughout the kitchen, is enhanced with roll-out shelves and special corner cabinet accessories. ADDED AMENITIES To balance a pot rack above the primary sink, Nakahara added an additional rack above the secondary farmhouse sink, which the homeowner uses for hanging plants. An oversized windowsill accommodates additional greenery. The designer also added wall cabinets with glass doors that brighten the space and provide a bit of display space for dishes and glassware. A wine refrigerator and microwave enhance functionality. Other special features include a steam oven, wall oven, built-in refrigerator and cabinet pantry. Cookbooks are stored neatly above the ovens.