Outstanding kitchens from the 2012 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

Shimmering surfaces, shining fixtures, high-sheen finishes and perfectly placed lighting accents are just a few of the trends in modern kitchens that surfaced from the nearly 500 designs submitted to the 2012 National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) Design Competition.

Designers from across the United States found that their clients are asking for glossy finishes and fixtures, color infusion behind glass, suspended lighting, symmetry in design, the use of traditional technology in non-traditional spaces and the one design that has remained popular for generations — the white kitchen.

Sheen and shimmer against creamy walls and warm wood breathe life into what could otherwise be an institutional-looking space. A simple painted wall with glass panel overlays creates a sleek sheen of color complementary to shimmering appliances and gleaming countertops. Suspended lighting can be used to form focal points on countertops, dining surfaces or flooring. A strong sense of symmetry in a room creates stability and balance. When there are challenges of space or inflexible obstacles that cannot be moved, modern technology can be conveniently tucked away in drawers and walls. And, the white kitchen continues to have a strong presence by reinventing itself in hues ranging from snow white to creamy, muted and milky tones.

This month we give you an inside look at professionally designed, prize-winning kitchens from the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Next month we’ll take a look at the bathroom design
winners.

2012 ” BEST OF” KITCHEN AWARD WINNERS

Best Overall Kitchen Winner

Large Kitchen — 1st Place Winner

Peter Ross Salerno, CMKBD

Peter Salerno, Inc.,

Wyckoff, New Jersey

Co-Designer: Jonathan Olesky

The Presence of Hospitality —- One has to do a double take to realize this isn’t a restaurant; it’s someone’s home kitchen. With two passionate cooks as clients, the designers were challenged to create a kitchen that served as both a professional culinary experience and a comforting eating space.

The main focal point — the 11-foot stainless steel food prep island — has four work stations, complete with two ovens, eight burners, a griddle, a salamander, a sink, built-in ice container and pot filler. An enormous custom four-sided stainless steel exhaust hood with built-in halogen lighting completes the island, illuminating the entire cooking and prep area.

To match the professionalism of the prep station, the kitchen is also fully equipped with a commercial freezer and double commercial refrigerator, as well as a dishwasher next to the maple cabinet sink. Three appliance garages were created in the design for easy accessibility to large, heavy, oversized blenders and mixers.

Rich natural walnut cabinetry on one side and white painted maple cabinetry on the other side soften the industrial feel of the island. Ten mullion doors and 10 single glass doors over the freezer provide abundant display space. The clients can also enjoy watching cooking channels on a built-in television. A stainless tile back splash was used to complement the island.

The kitchen also incorporates three seating options to accommodate the clients’ large family and frequent guests. On the opposite side of the walnut cabinetry is an island with four bar stool chairs, looking toward the prep station. To the right of that is a charming built-in booth made of painted bead board, walnut and Pietra Cardosa complete with window allowing natural light to flood in over the nook. A kitchen table behind the island holds seating for 10.

Quarter sawn oak flooring covers the entire kitchen floor, and a coffered ceiling was designed to highlight the stainless hood and wall cabinets.

 

Small Kitchen— 1st Place Winner

Before and After Kitchen Winner

People’s Pick Kitchen Winner

Tracey Scalzo, CMKBD

EuroTech Cabinetry, Inc.,

Sarasota, Florida

Comfortable Elegance — Lavish attention to detail belies the hard-working functionality of this kitchen. It is both comfortable and lush with notable features such as custom copper-foiled mullions on glass front wall cabinetry, a stainless and copper basket-weave apron front sink, and blown-glass pendant lighting.

The design provides a welcoming space to the kitchen’s cooking enthusiast owner. Offering impressive storage space through use of cabinets with pull-outs, a “magic corner,” peg-board dish drawers and more, enough fine design details will make visitors wonder how so many perfect touches can fit into one room. Yet, classic design isn’t the only factor on display, with a nook for a television and a built-in coffeemaker ready to help start the day, there’s enough of a nod to the modern to suit the client’s needs.

 

Medium Kitchen – 1st Place Winner

Glen Prairie, CKD

Total Living Concepts,

Barrie, Ontario

Co-Designer: Celeste Pilon

Organic Retreat — A lush kitchen was created through the pairing of sophisticated materials and organic lines. A cracked glass bar top, glass pebble backsplash, bamboo cabinetry and a large solarium window to allow natural light and a view of the backyard, are just a few ways the designer wove this complex space. Rounded lines further contribute to the overall effect.

All the traditional elements of design and nature flow in harmony throughout the space. The update translates to a functionally beautiful space while keeping owners and guests close to nature. The clients’ love of nature extends beyond just the look of the kitchen with the choice of bamboo as a readily renewable resource and Energy Star Appliances and LED and halogen lighting. Pre-existing cabinetry and countertops were salvaged to use in other areas of their cottage.

 

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Winner

Cheryl Hamilton-Gray, CKD

Hamilton-Gray Design, Inc.,

Carlsbad, California

Stylish Simplicity — Designed with an injured young veteran in mind, this slick, spacious kitchen was dubbed “Fit for a Hero” by the designers. Removing the walls between the kitchen and family room created a more contemporary and open space with a clear view of adjacent rooms and knee-wall backing for cabinetry on one side. Two island surfaces with storage, granite countertops and clean simple lines in the cabinetry allow the open floor plan to appear spacious yet defined.

Smooth and resilient cork flooring replaced a peeling vinyl mix, giving the room a great base for the black, white and grey palette. The neutral colors are nicely accented by glass-paneled wall cabinetry and simple touches of color including a vibrant red door. A brick wall that previously accented the fireplace on the south was replaced with a thin grey porcelain tile, complimenting the new theme. New black and silver appliances added even more sleekness to this design.

 

Green Design Winner

Elina Katsioula-Beall, CKD

DeWitt Designer Kitchens, Inc., Pasadena, California

Co-Designer: Karen Frid-Madden

A Child’s Garden in Bloom — Green wasn’t the only color in mind for this winning design. Inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragan and the client’s wish of a child’s garden, the result is a fun family kitchen. The high-gloss bright green laminate cabinetry (98 percent formaldehyde-free) with fuchsia countertops match the uninterrupted island with readily accessible recycling bins and storage drawers for a large prep and eating space. Next to the sink, a large silver-tiled niche hosts protruding shelves for toaster-oven, cook books and fun, colorful Frida Kahlo-esque objects and paintings. A brown and white speckled floor tile covers the entire kitchen area and is comprised of 50 percent pre-consumer recycled material.

Stainless appliances and tempered glass behind the range help balance the brightly colored cabinetry, and in addition to the natural light provided by the windows on the north wall, a large orange light hangs directly above the island accenting the brightly colored orange east wall. This kitchen blends together the concept of a fun child’s garden with the functionality and clean lines of European modernism.