This new home is a study in eclectic contrasts. The client loves modern design yet still wanted to blend a bit of her southern traditional heritage into the overall feel of her new home. The goal and challenge was to combine functionality in a large space with unique details that spoke to the client’s love of artisitic creativity and rich materials. With 14 foot ceilings the challenge was to not let the kitchen space “underwhelm” the rest of the open floor plan as the kitchen, dining and great room all are part of the larger footprint. To this end, we designed a modern enclosure that allowed additional height and heft to help balance the “weight” of the kitchen with the other areas. The long island designed for entertaining features a custom designed iron “table” housing the microwave drawer and topped with a checkboard endgrain cherry and walnut wood top. This second “island” is part of the rich details that define the kitchen. The upper cabinets have unusual triple ring iron inserts, again, designed for the unexpected use of material richness..along with the antique mirror rather than glass as the background. The platter rack on the end of the left side elevation also replicates the iron using it for the dowels. The panels on the Subzero refrigerator are crafted from burled walnut veneer chosen to echo the browns and blacks throughout much of the furnishings. The client did not want or need a large range as we planned a second ancillary oven for the pantry/laundry space around the corner. When I pointed out the capacity of the Wolf 36 inch range was actually larger than a 30 inch oven, it sealed the deal for only one oven in the main cooking center. We did not want the cooking area to be dwarfed however, so used a custom black cold rolled steel hood that is 60 inches long. The panels on the Sub Zero refrigerator are another blend of eclectic materials. Along the left side cabinetry where the cabinets die into the wall, we chose to run the calcutta gold marble 4x16 stone up the wall and utilize thick glass shelves for some visual interest in this corner. Also, this corner would be tough to access with doors. I liked the prep sink area to feel open and airy as well. This beautiful kitchen is quite unique that combines functionality in a large space with one of a kind details!

Photo of a large transitional master bathroom in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, engineered quartz benchtops, a one-piece toilet, beige tile, ceramic tile, ceramic floors, black cabinets, an alcove shower, grey walls, beige floor and white benchtops.

Tropical bathroom in Hawaii with a vessel sink and beige tile.

Master Bathroom Addition with custom double vanity. White herringbone tile with white wall subway tile. white pebble shower floor tile. Walnut rounded vanity mirrors. Brizo Fixtures. Cabinet hardware by School House Electric. Photo Credit: Amy Bartlam

Master Bathroom Addition with custom double vanity. White herringbone tile with white wall subway tile. white pebble shower floor tile. Walnut rounded vanity mirrors. Brizo Fixtures. Cabinet hardware by School House Electric. Photo Credit: Amy Bartlam

Esther Hershcovic © 2013 Houzz
Design ideas for a contemporary bathroom in Montreal with a vessel sink.

Contemporary bathroom in Austin with a freestanding tub and a vessel sink.

Master Bathroom Addition with custom double vanity. White herringbone tile with white wall subway tile. white pebble shower floor tile. Walnut rounded vanity mirrors. Brizo Fixtures. Cabinet hardware by School House Electric. Photo Credit: Amy Bartlam

This master bath in a condo high rise was completely remodeled and transformed. Careful attention was given to tile selection and placement. The medicine cabinet display was custom design for optimum function and integration to the overall space. Various lighting systems are utilized to provide proper lighting and drama. Mitchell Shenker, Photography

Design ideas for a contemporary bathroom in San Francisco with a trough sink, limestone floors and marble benchtops.

This is an example of an eclectic bathroom in Cincinnati with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets and a corner shower.

This is an example of a contemporary bathroom in Detroit with an undermount sink, a drop-in tub, an alcove shower and gray tile.

Photo of an expansive beach style l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, quartz benchtops and brown floor.

Design ideas for a contemporary bathroom in Toronto with a trough sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and gray tile.

Photography by Northlight Photography.
Photo of a traditional bathroom in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, beige tile and beige benchtops.

These two custom made soapstone sinks are best described as "farm style vessel bowls" designed for a customer who had this to say: "I chose to work with Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile for a bathroom installation in our 200 year old farm house. The decision was deliberate, after looking extensively in central Pennsylvania for a company that offered something other than big-box, mass market products. Frank's [Lesher] obvious passion for his work was infectious. His willingness to accommodate my schedule, to hear my vision for the space, and to produce, on the spot, several novel design ideas that still honored our centuries-old home sealed the deal. It was easy to reach a design plan and from design through installation, all went smoothly and on time. Given another opportunity, I'd make the same choice again without hesitation." Dr. Wendy Dean from Carlisle Photo Cindy Lesher

From Tuscan to this updated, clean, more functional kitchen, this couldn't be a more dramatic change. Flanking this kitchen space is a large kitchen table that can seat 8, with an inviting patio beyond. We love the clean, crisp look, with black dramatic details.

Photo of a large contemporary master bathroom in Austin with a vessel sink, an alcove shower, white walls, ceramic floors, open cabinets, medium wood cabinets, green tile, white tile, glass tile and engineered quartz benchtops.

Master Bathroom Addition with custom double vanity. White herringbone light gray porcelain tile with white wall subway tile. white pebble shower floor tile. Walnut rounded vanity mirrors. Brizo Fixtures. Cabinet hardware by School House Electric. Photo Credit: Amy Bartlam