Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matt Kocourek
This Table Rock Lake kitchen presents in perfect harmony with its delightfully choreographed use of colors, styles, textures, and finishes. As part of a new build, designer Sue Shinneman, CKD and owner/designer of Kitchen Studio: Kansas City along with her team guided the homeowners to making their dream kitchen come to life.
The owners wanted a classic design for the kitchen but wanted it to blend with the timber frame construction of the home,” expressed Shinneman. “They also wanted to take advantage of the amazing lake view.”
In order to meet her clients’ desires and vision for the space, Shinneman married classic white cabinetry with walnut wood accents. The wood accents were stained to complement the timber framing of the great room and entry way.
“We reconfigured the layout from the blueprints a bit to encompass a large island and a serving piece under the lake windows,” noted Shinneman.
The color palette of this kitchen is true to the style of this home, and Shinneman created the perfect balance of walnut wood in concert with primarily white cabinetry to keep the space feeling light and bright. Additionally, the range top and corresponding hood are a focal point and can be admired from the adjacent great room. The walnut hood was custom made and operates with a high-powered Wolf ventilation system on the inside.
“Using the walnut wood here pulls your eyes into the kitchen space,” indicated Shinneman, who also integrated walnut into the kitchen island, designating the seating area which then seamlessly ties in with the hood and range top cabinetry. The serving bar at the windows also has a walnut top with graceful radius ends.
As for functionality, the island does not disappoint. It is home to the main sink, dishwasher, and ice machine. There is also a trash cabinet with a motorized drive so it can be opened with a simple bump of the knee, keeping dirty hands off the luxurious cabinets and hardware.
Directly above the island is a ceiling recess accented with stained wood beams that match the walnut pieces within the kitchen.
“These beams have up lights that make the recess glow,” said Shinneman. “We also added two glass door cabinets flanking the upper portion of the hood for displaying the homeowners’ favorite pieces. These two areas have walnut interiors that tie into the hood and countertops.”
Shinneman mastered the art of functionality within this entire kitchen, as evidenced by the incorporation of all new appliances that are prepared to work overtime for the family. The oven wall has a Viking double oven, a top oven with French doors, a built-in microwave on the counter and a hidden warming drawer below the counter. Further, there are two hidden Sub-Zero column units – an 18-inch freezer and a 30-inch refrigerator paneled to match the classic white cabinets.
Pulling the countertops and cabinetry together are the three-dimensional ceramic backsplash tiles, which give the space incredible visual texture. Natural white oak flooring puts the finishing touch on a such a glorious space.
Resources
Kitchen Design: Kitchen Studio: Kansas City
Contractor: Welch Home Construction
Hardware: Locks & Pulls
Appliances: Sub-Zero/Wolf and Viking
Plumbing Fixtures: Kohler Store
