2005 NKBA DESIGN COMPETITION
- January 25th, 2011
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Sarasota kitchen
2005 NKBA DESIGN COMPETITION
LARGE KITCHEN
The design challenges from a layout point of view were working within the existing footprint and using the existing hood and island and stainless steel counter top. The sinks, hood and cooktop placement were firmly established so my approach was to get the desk area out of the middle of the kitchen and move the refrigerator closer to the sinks. By switching these two areas, the desk is now adjacent to the entry from the garage and allows for a message area as you enter the house. The addition of some floating shelves and differing cabinet heights added interest to this end of the kitchen. We also included some file drawers to help minimize the countertop clutter. The refrigerator is now within steps of both sinks allowing a more functional flow between appliances.
Adding to the emphasis on design, the tall elements are installed slightly higher than the wall cabinets, giving movement to this large kitchen while avoiding the monotony of just filling the walls with cabinetry.
With guidance from the interior designer, the owners input, and the cabinetry knowledge and experience of a kitchen specialist, a great union of form and function was created; a space that is enjoyable to both live and work in. The input of all team members meshed for a great design experience and a wonderful end result – a new kitchen was born.
POWDER ROOM
What dichotomy in a statement, a spa retreat in an office, especially in a cabinetry design studio. That was the goal we wanted to achieve when this bathroom project was initiated. The room needed to serve a multitude of purposes, a bathroom for staff, a public bathroom for clients, a design statement powder room display with handicap accessibility– a tall order for such a small room.
The existing handicap water closet and safety bar needed to stay. With that said, I knew I wanted a relaxing space for all of us to enjoy. Selection of materials and finishes were the primary approach. Afromosia wood was selected because of its similarity to teak without the oily properties to affect the finish maintenance. Selecting a dull matt finish for the wood set the stage for other finishes. A pre-finished natural bamboo floor enhanced the warmth of the afromosia and gave lead to using natural bamboo poured into a resin as the inserts in cabinetry doors. I wanted the walls to be soft without a lot of pattern but some texture. Our faux finisher provided us with a wonderfully subtle Venetian plaster as a backdrop to the soothing finishes selected.
SHOWROOM DISPLAY
In an effort to pick up on the growing popularity of Asian-inspired design, it was decided to work toward a minimalist approach with more organic materials. The curved wall remains as the backdrop for a low bank of overlay drawers and a tall storage unit that grounds three “floating” shelves. The shelves are illuminated for display items and staggered to allow a T.V. lift to rise out of the dresser at the touch of a button.
The opposite wall is a collection of simple shapes with inset doors and drawers that are interestingly arranged around a storage headboard and platform bed, striking a balance between storage and “negative space”. The hard edges of the simple boxes and countertops are counter-balances by the soft curves of the shelves and radiused end panels.
SMALL KITCHEN
The owners of this typical, plain-Jane claustrophobic condo kitchen were eager to open up the space and take advantage of beautiful Gulffront views. They were also enthralled by all the classic accoutrements offered by a well-known premium cabinet company. Confined to a relatively small footprint, the designers had to deal with mechanical issues
in lowered ceilings and a drain stack for the building that couldn’t be touched. Perhaps most challenging was packing so much style into such a small area while maintaining a functional working space.
The color and material selections, inset door-style, solid surface countertop details and hardware selections further enhance the feeling of timeless elegance that the homeowners wanted. No longer a dated, functional closet, the kitchen is now a fabulous focal point in this resort getaway, almost as mesmerizing as the distant sunset.
Four of our projects were published in local and state magazines in their March, 2006 issues. Two were in Florida Design magazine and one each in Sarasota Magazine and House Trends magazine. The fifth was published in the NKBA’s Profiles Magazine, an industry trade periodical distributed nationally. Following are some pictures of the projects and some background information.
This project, by Interior Design Consultant Ellen Levine, and featured in Florida Design Magazine, was definitely one of the most interesting and unique projects we have ever had the pleasure of being involved in. The condo, which has a fabulous gulf front view, was built in the 70”s and was very ready for a remodeling. The designer chose to expose structural elements such as the concrete support columns and the concrete ceilings, all eventually polished and sealed, as well as the vents and ductwork. Bringing the outside in, Ellen used natural colors throughout. This provided an excellent setting for our Artcraft Kitchens line of cabinetry. Working with EuroTech’s Jim Judsen, Ellen chose the “Como” door style, a gloss laminate simulating a sand colored, Figured English Sycamore with stainless steel trim around the edges of the doors and drawers. This was contrasted with frosted glass upper cabinets in a wide aluminum border and stainless steel pulls throughout. We topped it all off with “Caesarstone” counter tops, a quartz surfacing product.
Over 90% of our work is from referrals or repeat clients. About seven years ago, after being referred by a local contractor, we provided Phyliss and Ron McSwain with the cabinetry
must be able to design contemporary, traditional, transitional and any other style of kitchen. Jim was able to design a family-oriented, traditional kitchen using an inset door style cabinet with a painted, glazed and antiqued finish. To compliment the feel of the house, Jim used “palladian” style glass doors as accents to recessed panel doors with
Included in Sarasota Magazine’s DELICIOUS KITCHENS article this March was a EuroTech kitchen designed by EuroTech designer Judy Adams Hunt. Sarasota Magazine writes, “In Gator Creek, a posh country community of largely equestrian estates, the recently renovated kitchen …….. is as sleek as a thoroughbred.”. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Using Artcraft Kitchens cabinetry with a “driftwood” stain on Rift Cut White Oak, floating shelves and varied cabinet heights, Judy made sure this kitchen would be special. Working with interior designer, Holly Logan, who had the walls finished in Venetian Plaster, Judy created a sense of movement by varying the heights of the floating shelves, wall
This project, a bedroom display designed by EuroTech designer Tracey Scalzo, CKD, CBD, for the EuroTech Showroom, was published in the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s
Eurotech has been published in a number of magazines. Locally, we have been featured in two issues of “Home and Design” magazine. We were featured in a past February issue, highlighting luxury bath settings and an April issue, featuring dens and libraries. Nationally, “Wood Digest” magazine wrote a story highlighting our manufacturing capabilities. The April 1, 2005 issue of the Sarasota Herald Tribune’s “Style” magazine featured one of our kitchens in a newly renovated Siesta Key home.