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the client. In this case, McDonough suggested having a local company, The Southside Woodshop, build the top with varying pieces of wood, including exotics. Based in Norfolk, VA, The Southside Woodshop creates custom hardwood countertops, and thrives on having the opportunity to create personalized designs that can act as both a fabulous focal point and func- tional food prep surface. "My customer loved the idea," McDonough exclaimed. "Jud Dinsmore [owner of The Southside Woodshop] made a small chopping board as an example and we fell in love – we just knew this would be the 'wow' factor of the kitchen." While the island top is striking in appearance, it also works for a kitchen designed for a serious chef who thrives on creating wonderful meals. McDonough explains that her client loves to entertain, and "she tells me that every guest's favorite piece in the kitchen is this island top. It's unique, absolutely stunning, and very functional for a serious Italian cook who uses it daily." In addition to mixing wood species, McDonough also sees a lot of granite and quartz being used in countertop designs today, and notes that tile is also seeing more interest on back- splashes. "Glass tile is very popular in our area," she adds. AUTHENTICITY Creating a truly special design is all about making it personal – and that can include anything from a striking color palette to a mix of materials and design themes. In the case of this design, created by Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS, and president of the Long Island, NY-based Susan Serra Associates, Inc., a blending of American Coastal and Scandinavian design helps provide a sense of authenticity, while two diferent surfacing materials add color, texture and elegance to the space. She notes, "This is a very personal kitchen design, and this image tells that story in great detail." The framework helps to bring the countertop and backsplash design to life, and to that end, she explains, "It was important to me to maintain the fow of the walls throughout the kitchen for aesthetic reasons. Therefore, a downdraft was my cooktop ventilation method of choice. This downdraft and cooktop combination by Gaggenau is deeper than typical combinations. A recess into the wall behind the cooktop houses the downdraft. This design allowed a lovely dimensional area to feature Albedo by Silestone in the vibrant blue, which is repeated elsewhere in the kitchen." She continues, "The countertop and backsplash of Borea in Cosentino's Dekton material makes a very elegant statement. It's a warm color with a light texture, and the performance of this material is, quite honestly, second to none." While the design is striking, it's also soothing, and this was part of Serra's plan. She notes, "In an unsettled world, I see homeowners wanting authenticity, easy care and a sense of calm, all rolled into one. Authenticity in the form of tactile and visual texture (such as Borea by Dekton) adds that im- perfect (opposite of visually cold) quality that feels comfort- able. Easy care adds greatly needed and wanted efciency in terms of time saved. Easy-care materials such as engineered stone also translate to minimizing health concerns from food-borne bacteria." Designer Susan Serra used Albedo by Silestone in a vibrant blue that is repeated elsewhere in the kitchen, along with Cosentino's Dekton material in Borea in this very personal kitchen. HanStone Quartz in Tranquility gives this spec home kitchen's multi- level island broad- based appeal, while the marble look keys into one of today's hottest trends, according to designer Teri Koss. Photo: Open Homes Photography March 2016 • KitchenBathDesign.com 47