He Said, She Said

Extra-wide, five-inch stainless steel handles were added to the cabinets and drawers for comfortable gripping and coordination with appliances.

While Marsha and Clifford loved the openness of their Kahala home when they purchased it in 2003, it hadn't had any interior renovations since its construction in the 1950s. The need to renovate the house gave them an opportunity to revisit the floor plan, including the outdated kitchen. The couple agreed that their main objective was to create a friendly, open space. They went as far as tearing down the wall between the old dining room and kitchen before they realized that they had two different kitchens in mind.

Marsha wanted a traditional, country-kitsch theme. Her must-have item was an apron-front sink, which is typical of farm-house kitchens, as it offers a large work area. Clifford, on the other hand, was more interested in modern, stainless steel appliances and useful placement of culinary ingredients and tools.

Accepting that their ideas were at odds, the couple called in Homeowners Design Center for mediation. For almost 37 years, Homeowners Design Center has offered design solutions with its cabinetry, appliances, flooring and countertops. The company's services include expert advice from top designers, such as kitchen and bath designer Jessica Omoto.

After several meetings with Marsha and Clifford, Omoto offered three layouts before designing the fourth—a perfect compromise. "The design took a little bit of what she wanted and mixed it in with a little bit of what he wanted," she says.

To create a warm, country feel for Marsha, Omoto selected maple Canyon Creek Cabinets with a honey stain. The natural, golden hue of the travertine floors and Brazilian vyara granite countertops add to the kitchen's homey atmosphere.

To top it off, Omoto found a stainless steel apron-front sink. The sink is dropped in flush with the cabinet fronts, which sets the sink basin closer to the cook and dishwasher.

For Clifford, Omoto selected stainless steel KitchenAid appliances, which were built into the cabinetry. Clifford says that the KitchenAid appliances were the right choice because they include all of his favorite bells and whistles.

As the family cook, the placement of often-used ingredients and tools was important to Clifford. With that in mind, Omoto designed the kitchen to maximize functionality. She says, "There is a flow between the cooktop, sink and refrigerator. They are set in a user-friendly triangle." Also, just within reach of the cooktop, is a handy, built-in wine rack and a rolling, pullout spice rack. The lower cabinets have pullout drawers for easy access to heavy pots and pans. With everything he needs at his fingertips, Clifford is ready to go.

Marsha adds that Omoto's efficient kitchen is also connected to the garage through the utility room. "Now, when I come in with the groceries, I can take them from the car straight into the kitchen," she says. "I can set them on the island countertop, turn around and the refrigerator is right there."

The final key to the successful remodel is the 13-foot-long kitchen island. It combines the kitchen's work areas with the casual dining space, which brings the family together daily. Marsha positions herself at one end, keeping Clifford company as he whips up delicious meals on the cooktop at the opposite end.

"The island is one of the feature areas in our home," says Marsha. "We put a lot of energy into making it a functional space where we can also relax." Clifford notes that now, during parties, guests congregate there, and no one is left out of conversation.

"When we went into renovations, first and foremost we wanted the kitchen to be open," Clifford says. "And, we achieved it."