Topping Things Off
Vona notes that the wall area where the three convex pull-out
pantry cabinets are located had an existing dry wall closet that
had a tangle of existing plumbing lines and a fire hose encased in
the wall. "The curved pantry doors were fabricated around the
closet by building a false cabinet ceiling and then fabricating the
doors to look seamless," she explains.
In fact, Vona notes that one door of the three pull-out pantry
doors is actually the door to the old closet, which still services
water lines for the kitchen.
"The triumph of design and fabrication was a trompe l'oeil effect. No one can tell that one of the pantry doors is the door to a closet," she says.
Accenting the countertops are custom cabinets with stainless steel pulls that create a warm, cohesive look to the space, Vona concludes.
1950s-Style Kitchen Features Metallic Elements
"We are witnessing a definite increased interest in the '50s look using metallic edges and backsplash panels," she reports.
"The client selected Topstone 100% acrylic solid surface material in S-001 White because it is a bright white with more translucence than some other solid surface whites," she offers.
Canning notes that a brushed stainless steel laminate for a 1/2" inlay was also selected, centered in the 1-1/2" front edge and placed 1/2" down in the top of the splashes.
She continues: "Routing a 1/2" channel out of the Topstone edge and splash about 3/16" into the material provided ample room to inlay the laminate without difficulty. It turned out to be very striking."
She continues: "We [also] had a client request that we use a laminate brushed stainless steel inset for the front panel of her trash compactor, as well as behind her free-standing stove, to complement her stainless steel sink and appliances."
She adds that the company is also working on a project that features countertops in two colors of a boomerang pattern for the kitchen and family room area with 1-1/2" polished aluminum edges.
Fabricator Helps Solve Client Budget Issue
He relays that the homeowners looked at several solid surface brands, but their budget only left room for solid colors. They found the answer they were looking for in Samsung Staron Pebble Blue countertops, which offer beauty and texture while allowing for the addition of a solid surface sink.
The couple also requested a custom-built island with a rounded café-style breakfast bar and a stovetop cooking area. However, fitting the island around the kitchen's two wood columns presented a difficult installation challenge.
"The main challenge was the radius of the upper bar," he says of the project, which also features a matching backsplash. "But a simple template helped there."
He adds that the gasline to service the cooktop was in the post, so he had to cut the upper part and seam it together around the post.
"Since the post was already installed, we had to work around it," he describes. "We built the upper bar 1/2" wider, doing the mate cut with a Penske straight edge. We notched out for the post and then seamed it back together."
The project is a prime example of clients seeking to personalize their kitchens, according to Phillips. However, he notes, "We believe that if you don't offer a custom product and you are a custom shop, you are putting a limit on how custom your shop can be."
Counters Highlight
"We believe infection control in the workplace and the home will become a major focal point in the upcoming five to 10 years," he states, citing a nearby Naval Hospital that has been undergoing countertop, sink bowl and wall cladding as another example.
While sanitary and maintenance concerns were key for this project, aesthetics were also an important consideration in the project, which included two large countertops, a bar top, an island with cooktop, the kitchen windowsills and switchplates and outlet covers.
For Holmberg, the overall design challenges were met so well by the architect and general contractor, respectively, that he was able to focus entirely on the clients' needs, which also called for extended wall backsplashes above the countertops.
"The project was ready for the templating of the countertops and full-height backsplashes when we arrived," he notes, adding that the full-height backsplash required that the solid surface fit precisely at each intersection adjacent to cabinets and walls.
