ARC Awards Finalist | Best Kitchen Remodel over $100,000 (Dallas, TX)

Interior Design: David Cadwallader, Architecture: Bernbaum-Magadini

With finalists being announced for the Dallas Builders Association 2013 ARC Awards, Key Residential is excited to be included on the prestigious list in multiple categories, including Best Kitchen Remodel over $100,000 for the Hollow Way Kitchen. While we'll have to wait for the winners to be announced at the ARC Awards ceremony at the Westin Galleria on August 17th, below are a few details of the project that we think put this kitchen above the rest. Check out the full list of finalists here.

The gable roof line helps establish a point of reference between the before and after shots of this dramatic kitchen transformation. The previous work space was defined by a partial wall extending into a dual height counter housing a double sink and enclosing a central island cooking station. By removing the wall enclosure, counter and island, the kitchen plan can be reorganized and opened up to include space for an integrated entertainment and lounge area. 

The reoriented plan encloses the north wall opening in-line with the exterior wall, creating additional storage for the office behind, and showcasing custom cabinetry with walnut lowers & towers, paint grade uppers and a luminous acid-etched mirror glass backsplash. Stainless steel refrigeration, vent-a-hood & range by SubZero/Wolf  and a steam oven by Gaggenau are integrated into the custom cabinetry. A new sleek rectangular island featuring an expansive Okite worksurface houses an undermount sink, KitchenAid single and double drawer dishwashers and is illuminated by three Mini-Isla Pendants. The east wall features a Thermador Double Oven, Built-In Miele Coffee Station and integrated electronics area with a larger enclosed pantry tucked behind.

The west wall was re-framed to house a larger picture window overlooking the back yard pool area and allowing much more natural light to pass into the space. This enhances the open plan which allows for a more functional workstation, increased storage and space for entertaining or a family gathering while cooking. 

Black & White Material Palettes | Timeless and Luxurious

Sometimes the simplest color combo can make the biggest impact. 

In part two of our Material Palette exploration, we have another example of Key Residential bath with a few details of the Black & White palette listed below.  The Brookridge Guest Bath is a luxurious take on B&W with high-end finish materials (those applied to walls, ceilings and floors and used to construct cabinetry and built-ins) and demonstrates how the characteristics of the material itself can add visual interest. 

Considered one of the most elegant (and pricey) materials, natural stone is prominently featured throughout this bath, in both the Thassos White Marble tiles of the floor and shower walls and the White Fantasy Granite vanity top. Both materials are cool and smooth to touch, but the juxtaposition of the lighter marble against the variegated granite adds depth and creates visual interest. Thick bands of glass mosaic tile really pop on the rear shower wall because of their tactile appeal and high shine. The result is classic bath with maturity, refinement and touches of masculinity.

Materials: 

1. Thassos White Marble Tiles are cut to 6" x 12" for the both floor and tub/shower walls

2. Elevations Raised Tile Mosaic in Non-Iridescent Black are installed in horizontal bands across the rear wall of the tub adding texture and breaking up the field of white

3. Granite Slab in White Fantasy  (3 cm, 1-1/4" thick) with a Square edge detail stands out on the vanity top and the shower ledge. Though this material doesn't bring any additional hues into the palette, the natural veining makes for a stunning base for the highly reflective vessel sink

Additional Materials:

Piano Finish Black Cabinetry, Polished Chrome hardware and wall mounted faucet, Simply Stainless Steel Vessel sink by DecoLav, Level 5 Wall Finish- Super White

Black & White Material Palettes | Modern and Flexible

When considering an painter's palette, the first image most of us envision is an array of colors waiting to be transformed into art on a canvas (probably happy little trees or clouds if you're seeing the same Bob Ross in your head that I do). But in the case of a builder or remodeler, the daubs of color and canvas combine in the form of the finish materials that are applied to walls, ceilings & floors and used to construct cabinetry & built-ins. It is this base to which the decorative details & final touches are applied resulting in a stunning space. 

And even with the vast array of materials on today's market, where homeowners can choose any color/material palette imaginable, coordinating light switch covers and mosaic tile backsplashes in the perfect shade of aubergine, sometimes the simplest and most basic combo can make the biggest impact. Below is a Key Residential bath with details of the material palette in Black & White.

The Hollow Way Girls' Bath features a modern and youthful take on B&W with  contrasting porcelain floor tiles in a custom pattern, a pure white composite quartz vanity atop white cabinetry, linear black & white ceramic shower tiles and a unique textured wall covering. The accessories include a continuation of the B&W with a graphic shower curtain and the addition of bright pink through bath textiles. With such a crisp material palette, accessories and textiles can be inexpensively modified to change the feel of the entire room. 

Materials:

1. Wolf Gordon Lundie wall covering in Winter is made from 100% vinyl. It not only adds a textural quality to the space but has many environmentally friendly qualities as well, passing LEED IEQ 4.2 for low emissions and includes a mold and mildew inhibitor. 

2. Crossville 6" Porcelain Tiles in Powdered Sugar and Intercermic 2" Porcelain Tiles in Midnight are laid in a custom pinwheel pattern to create visual interest on the floor

3. Matte Ceramic Wall Tiles by Interceramic in White (4-1/4" x 12-3/4") line the shower walls with dramatic horizontal bands of Absolute Black (2-1/4" x 8-1/2"). 

Additional Materials:

Paint Grade White Cabinetry- Douglas Custom Cabinets, Pure White Brushed Stylenquaza Countertop- Holland Marble

Must-Have Kitchen Cabinetry Add-Ons

Whether building a new home or revamping your existing one, attractive and functional kitchen cabinetry is a must. Cabinets are often the building blocks of your kitchenscape, determining the function and flow. And selecting the perfect material, color and layout sets the tone for the type of experience you want people to have within your space. However there's more to consider than just the style, materiality and capacity. 

Think about the activities you enjoy (and dread) the most while working in your kitchen and incorporate details and accessories that make your clean up more efficient or your overall experience just a little more pleasant. There are custom cabinetmakers and vendors that offer unique and creative storage solutions for almost any budget. Below are a few that we consider must-haves for the conscientious culinary consumer.

Soft-Close Drawers

Though slamming a drawer full of loose metalware can make for a dramatic closing statement during a heated stove-side debate, generally it's not a sound we relish in. Enter soft-close drawer guides that not only ensure a smooth motion, opening to full extension, but also incorporate a self closing mechanism that engages as the drawer approaches on the return, easing it into place without the dreaded bang. And once engaged, the self-closing mechanism returns the drawer securely to it's fully-closed position, without the risk of bouncing back open. When specifying the details of your new custom cabinetry, these drawer glides can be side-mounted or under-mounted for the ultimate in concealment and stealth. And for upgrading existing cabinets, there are retrofit options that can be attached to your existing cabinets without the cost of all new hardware systems. 

Adjustable Drawer Inserts

With an increasing number of homeowners choosing to remain in their homes longer, renovations and kitchen upgrades often include modifications that increase ease of use and access for individuals with limited mobility. A shift is being made from upper cabinet shelving with doors to lower more accessible pull-out drawers. However without the proper planning and organizational systems, these areas run the risk of achieving the ghastly "junk drawer" status. Systems like those by Hafele and Rev-A-Shelf with adjustable peg-board inserts convert drawers of all sizes into perfectly configured storage for oversized dishes, sharp utensils and odd-shaped specialty items. The systems include a peg-board base that can be trimmed to size that is subdivided by linear dividers, round or triangular pegs, knife blocks and more to suit your individual storage needs. 

Personalized Built-In Storage

While there are hundreds of customization options for built-in storage, you do not need to utilize them ALL. Rather evaluate what type of cook (and clean-up crew) you are and choose the options that best suit your style. The master chef in training needs a large functional work surface with  access to a cache of ingredients within the work triangle (between the cooktop, cold storage and sink) to increase efficiency. A pull out spice rack or integrated prep area would quickly earn it's keep in this kitchen.  And for those of us that rarely branch out from the S&P but want a clean and organized space, flexible storage conveniently located for expedited clean up is heaven-sent. An appliance garage with pull down tambour doors is a great way to quickly conceal commonly used items and the integration of a hidden paper towel door is the icing on the cake to keep the clutter at bay.

For more unique ideas, take a look at this Houzz article with even more desirable kitchen amenities!