Modern Kitchen

Very nice. Is that solid maple or is it laminate?

Michael - Some nice details and execution. Not sure that there wasn't a better way to handle the detail at the breakfast bar. Can someone sit on those chairs and get their thighs under the counter ?

I think the warmth of the maple finish allowed them to get away with the rigid lines and details. A painted finish would have looked to sterile. I agree, solid design and excellent craftsmanship. That is laminate or sequenced and numbered maple veneer on plywood/MDF core. I have to agree, looks like new lower stools are in order...oops and I just can't see that apron running past the counter ends. It's like the one wild child in a very strict,straight
laced family and definitely doesn't fit.

Thank you for the nice comments.

This project was for an architect who designed this kitchen for himself, complete with 3d modeling. It was a take off on some of his more commercial work, and replaced his own original design from the '80's.

The major materials are sequenced matched veneers, including the horizontal soffits. Most of the "white" is also cabinetry and removable service panels.

The cabinets are loaded with the typical upgrades; tandem slides, soft closing hinges, built-in mixer lift, wine rack, stainless steel bread and cookie drawers, automatic interior lighting, etc.

Yes, the breakfast bar is actually quite deep and functions well.

Architects are all about "lines" and the over riding design element in this project was the 6" horizontal line. For this reason, the heavy maple apron was originally sized at 6 inches in ht. After careful discussion and consideration, I was able to demonstrate that a 5" apron would provide better "thigh" space, and that the theoretical horizontal band would still seem continuous due to perspective foreshortening.

There are also elements of phenominal transparencies, which may not be evident in the photos.

This relates to the tall cabinets bordering the "island" and the white enclosures for the wall ovens and ref'g.

I must add, that the apron running past the counter was a detail that the architect was intent upon. I would have preferred to keep it "contained", but the overlapping and layering of elements happened to be this architects signature.

The client is, sometimes sadly, always correct. Living in an architect-remodelled turn of the century house, I can attest to the inherent usability, or lack thereof, associated with an architect-designed kitchen. Nice execution!

I've never been a fan of a commercially look in a home like that and will never understand how it can feel "warm & cozy" to the owner, but to each his own.
But for your part, the execution appears to be top shelf and there's certainly nothing easy about a intricate job like that from planning to logistics to management - it's all a potential nightmare waiting to happen even if you do it year in and year out.

The most impressive thing to me is that you did it "working with" the architect. That too, is often a job within a job . . .

Yes, it does take a bit of extra effort, but I have always enjoyed sitting down with an architect to sketch through details and design solutions. The vast majority of architects I have worked with have no problem understanding the 3 dimensional reality of a few lines on paper.

I have found it quite rewarding to help architects develope their designs. All the projects finish with a slap on the back and a phase like, "It's just the way I wanted it."

Countertops should overlap any wood surfaces , otherwise water damage will come early .

Great work! This is the trend now, people aren't looking for warm & cozy anymore, they are looking for 'modern' rich & accomplished! I have 2 questions, if i may ask, what is the maple finished with & what material is that top?

Nice work Michael.I'd like to know how you handles the horizontal kerf line every 6".Is that a saw kerf or a routed kerf? Did you stain the kerf black ? I also like the 'shadow line' where the cabinets meet the ceiling. I think that's a great way to go with modern slab door cabinets like this but I find my customers have a hard time agreeing to it but once it's installed they like it! Thanks.

Antonio,
The maple is unstained, with a CV finish. The tops are black granite with a soft, honed finish, and sealed.

Steve,
The kerfs where cut on a sliding table saw and although they are not stained, there was a good deal of fine sanding and sealing. Just 1/8" deep, but the shadow effect is quite pronounced.
The original design did not have a shadow line at the ceiling. When I suggested adding it, the client loved it! Most of the upper white "soffit" panels are removable, hung with z clips. The shadow line provides the clearance required to lift this panels for removal.

Kevin (the first one),
This kitchen started with the customers visit to the Miele headquarters, in Princeton. The showroom is exceptionally modern and made such an impact that the couple decided to use ALL Miele appliances. The detailing of the inset, stacked speed oven, oven and warming drawer was something that Miele does not show in their product literature. The tolerances and logistics for this installation are really precise.
I always begin a kitchen project with the appliance sales list. Then I carefully review it, checking for any oversights. In this case, the list was missing the trim kit for the speed oven, had the wrong swing on the ref'g door and they added items that where not needed.
Being very diligent early, led to a trouble free installation!

It reeks of class!
Nice job.