Designer ‘Finds Nemo’ In New Modern Kitchen

WINTER PARK, FL — The Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo told the story of a fish who took a courageous – and ultimately successful – journey through the natural surroundings of the ocean in order to find his missing son, Nemo.

Dina Masci of Central Park, FL-based Central Kitchen & Bath, set out on a similarly challenging adventure when she designed her own “Nemo.” The new construction kitchen (dubbed NeMo for its roots in New Modern architecture), ironically enough, features a 600-gallon, saltwater tank filled with exotic fish. Not only does the tank face the kitchen on two sides – creating a natural, tranquil setting – but it also allows the kitchen to share attention with its natural surroundings.

The design theme required a combination of high-end appliances (from Dacor and Scotsman, among others), as well as natural materials and a warm, earth tone palette, all intended to establish an inviting aesthetic.

To accomplish this, Masci – who worked with installer Ron Vaughn, as well as interior designer Rob Turner – incorporated a variety of unique elements, such as a 12' glass wall above the sink area that disappears into a pocket, opening the kitchen to the lanai and pool area, as well as a temperature-controlled wine room.

“We incorporated strategic appliance locations that allow both cooks and guests to enjoy the open atmosphere,” she explains. “There is a wet bar with a sink, ice maker and a beverage center.”

Predictably, natural lighting plays a key role throughout the kitchen, enhanced by recessed lighting and a sleek hanging lamp over the center island. The previously mentioned aquarium casts a salient glow into the space.

“The overall theme speaks very well of the client’s love of relaxed living, and the outdoors,” she concludes.

Cabinetry Wall

When deciding on cabinetry, Masci notes that she decided to do something different than standard boxes-on-the wall in order to facilitate a smoother traffic flow.

“The goal was to allow the homeowners and their guests to flow through without the defined boundaries that wall [cabinets] typically create,” she explains.

Therefore, she selected brown, wiped off, Mondrian maple cabinetry from Cuisine Laurier (which she designed), to establish a more free, less obstructed feel.

The cabinetry was recessed into the walls at high traffic areas.

“The placement of the recessed cabinets was created specifically to give the room its open atmosphere,” Masci points out.

“This [treatment] creates two consistent horizontal lines throughout the design. It allows for a seamless transition between the cleaning, food prep and cooking area to the dry and refrigerated food storage area, as well as to the dining, wine and wet-bar areas of the kitchen,” she says.

Masci also notes that glassware is stored in the wall cabinets above the sink, and the lighting, which is recessed into the bottom of the wall cabinets, is concealed by frosted glass.

Indeed, storage was a major wish-list item for the client, so Masci used base cabinets to help accommodate this request.
“All base cabinetry appeared to have three drawers, even though some were sink base doors, pull-out trash and recycle centers, spice pull-outs and two 30"-wide dishwashers,” she says.

Masci adds that there is an abundance of useful storage throughout the layout, including a hidden pantry space created from the surrounding cabinetry.

“In the center of the room, the cabinets basically are the four walls, and this creates a space in the center for the hidden pantry,” Masci says. “Conversely, the cabinets facing the dining room are on touch latches to avoid the use of decorative hardware and keep the clean look.”

Island in the Stream

The 87"Wx 48"D center island (which includes countertop overhangs) also plays an important role in the traffic and workability of the space.