Kitchen Au Natural

Although the sink and the cooktop remained in the same positions, the oven was moved, and in its place the homeowners put a Miele coffee maker.

Perched on a Kona hillside, this home welcomes in the outdoors. High ceilings, redwood walls and large windows make the interior space feel like an extension of the lush landscaping. “The owners delight in their indoor/outdoor lifestyle,” says Rick Cowan, of Studio Becker.

The kitchen didn’t fit the bright, open home. It was dark, drab, cramped. Tan tile countertops, backsplashes and floors created a sea of bland. Dark redwood cabinetry blended into the dark redwood walls. Fading into connecting rooms, the kitchen was nothing more than a specialized hallway.

The homeowners decided it was time to brighten it up. They enlisted the design skill of Cowan, CKD, and former Studio Becker team member, Carolyn Pace, CKD. The designers traveled to Kona to talk to the homeowners about the remodel.

The most common kitchen remodeling solution for narrow kitchens is to tear down walls to expand square footage. Not an option, said the homeowners. They love the kitchen’s hallway-like placement, because it offers two awesome views. One window overlooks the home’s central courtyard, while another opens into the outdoor wet bar, grill, dining area and pool. An incredible ocean panorama stretches beyond.

The kitchen challenged Studio Becker to rely on its creativity to change the look and feel within its original footprint. The design team’s solution: Bright, natural materials that flow into the outdoors.

Two slate shelves, added as artistic elements, function as display areas for the homeowners’ artwork.

Fresh cabinetry came first. The homeowners thought glossy, red lacquer cabinetry would complement the redwood interiors. “But, when they came to our showroom to view the sample, they fell in love with a natural, bird’s eye maple instead,” Cowan says. The kitchen now glows with the medium wood in a candy-apple red stain.

Prior to the remodel, redwood soffits hung above the countertops. This made the ceiling feel low. Because the soffits could not be removed altogether, for structural reasons, they were replaced with drywall. Painting the soffits neutral beige seemed to lift the ceiling by several feet. Recessed lighting above the soffits accentuated the open ceiling. The new soffits also created ledges to display the homeowners’ artwork.

To further brighten the space, the insipid tile countertops were replaced with soapstone. An application of mineral oil transformed the stone’s lackluster gray into a rich charcoal. Backsplashes in marbled slate accent the countertops without creating a wash of gray. Finally, golden travertine floors contrast the charcoal tones.

These natural elements extend into the outdoor kitchen. More brightly painted soffits frame the soapstone wet bar. Travertine floors meet the Japanese tile surrounding the pool. But, the best example of reconnecting with nature is the utility sink’s backsplash. It flows. Or so it seems, thanks to a blue, green and brown river-rock covering. “It creates a visual waterfall that really grabs your eye,” Cowan says.

The outdoor kitchen, complete with grill and bar, makes for an easy segue way from indoors to out.

Inspired by the natural surroundings, Studio Becker visually extended the kitchen without actually removing any walls. “Creative and skillful design provided a fresh, new look that reflects the clients’ lifestyle,” Cowan says.