Green Makes Splash in Design Showcase at K/BIS

But looks aren’t everything: People who love entertaining need space to create, and Leess gave these homeowners ample room to work. The island is a smart, multi-functional work center, and the focal point of the kitchen layout. Staggered countertop elevations put the stainless steel, double-bowl undermount sink from Elkay just out of view for those eating at the banquette. The credit for the idea goes to Ondrovick, says Leess. If there were dirty dishes piled in the sink, the sink’s three-inch depressed countertop height would keep them from the view of guests at the table.

Beneath the sink is a waste disposal area and to the left is a counter-depth dishwasher from Gaggenau. At the end of the island is a stainless steel rolling cart with butcher block top from John Boos & Co., which fits snugly beneath the 39" tall countertop.

CaesarStone was used for all of the surfaces in the kitchen, in a variety of shades. Aside from the inspiring Apple Martini used for the perimeter countertop, Leess also chose a selection of whites.

To complete the “reclaimed barn,” Leess used a sliding barn door made of cypress stained yet another shade of green.

Barn Bathing

If the kitchen gives the suggestion of organic shapes, then the master bath takes that suggestion to heart.

“When you include organic forms, shapes from nature, people react to it and respond positively,” says Leess. “The bath needed to be fresh, familiar – not too modern and cold.”

Leess feels transitional is becoming the dominant style. “People seem to be straying away from strictly traditional or strictly modern designs,” she says. “They’re looking for a little of everything.”

Cypress panels stained green span the wall against which the vanity is placed, and repeat the materials and look of the sliding barn door.

Dual bronze vessel sinks from Elkay have a hand-forged look. The bronze bowls are paired with chrome faucets from Hansgrohe’s Axor Citterio collection, which feature a highly reflective surface, and appear to blend in with the wall mirrors from which they spring. The sinks sit on a countertop of half-inch-thick tempered glass underneath which is a collection of multi-colored stones.

The white Era tub from Jacuzzi is centered in the middle of the bath and is set in a wood base. Encased by a glass and stainless steel Teutonic enclosure from MTI Whirlpools, the shower is outfitted with an Arzo single-control and square overhead spray from Delta. The shower door is on slides and has the same open-close motion as the barn door.

An exterior wall-mounted towel warmer from Runtal picks up the chrome and stainless steel elements in the shower, while the teak shower tray repeats shades from the tub frame and the Florim Terra Nuevo shower tiles.

Overall, Leess thinks the design collaboration met everyone’s goals for the project.

“I don’t think we wanted it to be safe looking; we felt we could go a little more fun, putting up a big green wall, using lively fabrics and stuff, perhaps toning it down with the use of wood and the whites of the cabinetry, tiles and the island countertop,” she says. “It’s not too overpowering – it ends up looking fun and fresh.”

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