A showpiece kitchen,
organized for
everyday life.

The kitchen · Before and after

A larger island with room to move around it

The original peninsula boxed in the island and limited its usefulness. Reworking that arrangement created clearer routes around a larger centerpiece with space for preparation, cleanup, and seating.

The new island holds the sink, dishwasher, pull-out trash, and the trash compactor the homeowners used regularly. Granite continues across the island and perimeter counters, connecting the pale island with the darker stained cabinets around the room.

Appliance placement changed with the plan. The double ovens, separate microwave, and warming drawer occupy the outer corners of the kitchen, balancing the taller cabinet elements while keeping useful work surfaces between them.

The focal wall

A carved stone hood against handmade marble

The backsplash combines Emperador Dark, Crema Marfil, and Rojo Alicante marble in a flowing mosaic. Made by hand in France, it required precise selections and dimensions for the individual spaces around the cooking wall.

A substantial carved stone hood stands in front of that pattern. Its pale surface gives the eye a quieter form against the movement of the marble, while the dark cabinetry frames the composition.

The roughly 900-pound hood required careful installation planning and coordination with its manufacturer. It was one of several custom elements whose fit and fabrication had to be resolved alongside the cabinet and mechanical details.

Refrigeration and pantry planning

Three cooling columns within a structural constraint

The appliance brief called for separate refrigerator and freezer columns plus wine and beverage refrigeration. An existing structural wall beside the wet bar limited where those elements could go.

Instead of removing that wall, the design removed the walk-in pantry and replaced it with cabinet-style food storage and roll-out trays. The change made room for the refrigeration arrangement and opened the route from the garage.

Stained wood clads the retained structural element so it reads as a decorative column. A matching column on the opposite side frames the appliance group. Locally made refrigerator and freezer panels align their rails with the surrounding cabinetry.

Storage inside the cabinets

Drawers and pull-outs clear the working counters

The storage plan considered the items that had previously accumulated on the counters. Deep drawers organize cookware and utensils, while pull-out shelves keep large bowls and serving pieces easier to reach.

Vertical storage and specialized cabinet interiors use space near the preparation and cooking areas. The purpose is straightforward: keep frequently used items close to the work without leaving them on display.

Cabinet craftsmanship

The details continue above and below the counters

Four-piece stacked crown molding includes a rope insert. Fluted columns carry acanthus-leaf capitals and plinth bases, while carved corbels support the island’s overhang.

Decorative leaded glass doors, beaded light rail, and paneled cabinet ends continue that level of detail throughout the room. The pale island offers contrast to the stained perimeter cabinetry while repeating its carved vocabulary.

Light and atmosphere

Layers of light in a kitchen without direct windows

Lighting was a central part of the plan because the kitchen has no direct windows. LED tape beneath cabinets supports countertop work, while lighting within cabinets makes stored and displayed items more visible.

Toe-kick lighting adds a lower layer of illumination, and decorative chandeliers mark the island. These layers let the homeowners use the room differently for preparation and entertaining.

The ceiling soffit contained HVAC and fire-sprinkler systems, which limited how much it could change. Refining its proportions helped position the island fixtures within those existing constraints.

Behind the finished surfaces

Custom work required coordination in the field

Demolition confirmed the structural post and revealed the routes that needed to remain. The work included removing the pantry closet and a secondary dropped soffit, building the island wall, and coordinating the new plumbing and electrical locations.

Floor-supply openings also needed to work with the new cabinet bases. The installation accommodated those conditions with support and ventilation details developed for the layout. A fire-sprinkler specialist reviewed the affected sprinkler location.

The stone hood, appliance panels, decorative glass, and layered trim each required their own fabrication and installation checks. The completed kitchen brings those decisions into one coordinated room.