Romanza Interior Design – Sancerre Private Residence

The diminutive size of the kitchen in this beachfront condominium was further constrained by a small center island occupying much of its floor space and a peninsula dividing and restricting any natural flow into the adjoining family room. The kitchen was completely redesigned and reorganized for improved functionality and flow, enhanced by removing the space-blocking barriers as well as a built-in desk, allowing the room to extend its reach and scope beyond the original confines.

Custom-designed perimeter cabinetry conceals a full refrigerator and separate freezer behind simple paneled doors on each side of relocated wall ovens, provides additional storage – a client must – and replaces a green tiled fireplace with a built-in beverage center convenient to the family room. The redesign also includes two sinks, one flanked by dual dishwashers; the other next to a cooktop positioned nearly flush to the countertop.

The larger footprint easily accommodates a freestanding island catering to the clients’ love of entertaining family and guests in their vacation home and their desire for a casual eat-in kitchen. With ample seating on rounded textural upholstered bar stools echoing the condominium’s seaside palette, the island is illuminated by five fluttering metallic pendants suspended from a backlit dropped cloud ceiling – previously a simple tray – accented with linear grooves.

Original white-on-white finishes are transformed with the warmth of painted pale blue-gray perimeter cabinetry and medium gray-brown wood plank floor offsetting the island’s white custom cabinetry – also providing extra storage – and white countertops. Slab backsplashes feature subtle gray veining adding visual movement and are highlighted with artfully placed lighting bathing them in illumination. The beverage center’s painted navy-blue finishes impart an unexpected touch, providing cohesiveness with adjoining spaces while standing out as a focus point with lighted glass shelves, a dramatic backsplash and countertop complementing and contrasting kitchen finishes.

The redesigned kitchen also offers a full-height wine refrigerator and relates to other rooms in color, flow and art, the latter displayed in a compelling contemporary piece on the main wall. The pantry was updated with cabinetry for improved function.