Artful Kitchen

Sometimes the most simple rooms are the most inspiring.  This Chicago kitchen is understated in its elegance and dreamy in its ambience.  Simple, honest materials of white ceramic tile, white painted maple cabinetry, Calcutta marble countertops and a white fireclay sink are perfect when grounded by a white oak floor and punctuated by bright brass.  Upper cabinets are eschewed when there are windows allowing a sun-drenched space and doors leading out to a raised dining terrace.  Plenty of storage below meets all the family’s needs.  When a soft breeze comes through the curtains flutter and the room sings.

Sunlight is the most requested design element for kitchens today.  Our bodies need it and our souls crave it.  When I design a kitchen I think first of how to capture natural light, and then I think of how to maximize its impact.  In the case of this classically elegant space  I filled the southern exposure with windows, and then reflected the natural light using antique mirror panels in the ebony dish dresser and a polished Calcutta marble island countertop surface.

A successful kitchen design cannot only depend on light and beauty; it must dynamically function for everyday life.  This bright, sparkling space has it all, and does it all.