GOLD
Modern Beauty
Kevin Mullen (pictured), Mark Cayen, Stephanie Gaffney, Kari Mizen and Kristen Hodge
Empire Kitchen & Bath
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This winning kitchen design is all about functional beauty, with a clean, modern look that incorporates top-of-the-line appliances seamlessly for the optimal kitchen experience. The 308-sq.-ft. space – created by Kevin Mullen along with associate designers Mark Cayen, Stephanie Gaffney, Kari Mizen and Kristen Hodge of Empire Kitchen & Bath for the company’s showroom – is designed to be beautiful and inspiring for all who see it, and to showcase a more modern, current take on the standard styles of traditional, transitional and contemporary.
A major challenge for the design of the space was how to incorporate 10 appliances yet still maintain a luxurious and contemporary aesthetic and provide an immersive and interactive experience. Integration was key here, and the appliances are concealed or accentuated with Era custom cabinetry in white from Downsview Kitchens along the perimeter walls, creating a polished appearance. Lydia pulls from Top Knobs and Pellegrino marble countertops enhance the streamlined look.
The cooking wall includes a Wolf 36″ Transitional induction cooktop and custom metal hood. A Calacatta Quartzite Leather backsplash adds a sophisticated touch and works well with the black and white elements, including the Grafite flooring from Artistic Tile.
Along the back wall, white cabinets are surrounded by glass-enclosed display cabinets with black trim, providing a dramatic backdrop for the built-in coffee system, 24″ E Series Transitional Convection Steam Oven and two 24″ E Series Transitional Built-in Single Ovens, all from Wolf.
Continuing around the room, discreetly hidden behind white panels are a 24″ Integrated Column Refrigerator and 24″ Integrated Column Freezer with Icemaker from Sub-Zero. These sit side-by-side with two Sub-Zero 30″ Integrated Wine Storage Refrigerators.
A glossy wood-toned island complements the cabinetry surrounding the refrigerator area, and includes a paneled Asko dishwasher, Franke Professional Series sink and Dornbracht Lot faucet. Above, Hailey Medium Pendant lighting from Visual Comfort provides the finishing touch.
SILVER
Stone Love
Kevin Mullen (pictured), Mark Cayen, Stephanie Gaffney, Kari Mizen and Kristen Hodge
Empire Kitchen & Bath
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Polished elegance was the desired look for this kitchen, designed by Kevin Mullen along with associate designers Mark Cayen, Stephanie Gaffney, Kari Mizen and Kristen Hodge of Empire Kitchen & Bath. The goal was to impart a more transitional feel to the kitchen using finishes that are traditionally thought of as contemporary, as well as to use stone – especially
marble – as a design element rather than just for countertops and flooring.
To ensure that the use of stone didn’t overwhelm the 291-sq.-ft. showroom kitchen, similar tones were used in the marbles, solid color cabinets and backsplash to create a cohesive look. Unica 1 Cabinetry from Downsview Kitchens in a medium gray got an extra boost with a high-gloss finish, as well as glass-front uppers with interior lighting for display. The clean, squared-off lines of the Trinity hardware from Emtek add a bit of bling as well as a touch of modern appeal. Marble trim around the cabinets sets off the gray tones of the cabinetry and makes a rich, elegant statement.
The center cabinet wall surrounds the four M Series
Contemporary Wall Ovens from Wolf. Built-in shelving above provides a storage spot for serving pieces. A Sub-Zero 30″ Integrated Column Refrigerator with Internal Dispenser and 30″ Integrated Column Freezer with Ice Maker are tucked into this wall as well, paneled in the Unica 1 cabinetry.
Along the far wall, the oversized Waterworks’ Kerr sink is paired with the Regulator bridge faucet, also from Waterworks. A paneled Asko XXL dishwasher is included here, discreetly hidden from view. The Studio Line Lancaster tile backsplash from New Ravenna highlights the space and is repeated on the opposite wall. Calcutta Caldia Marble countertops grace each space.
Islands sit back to back in the center of the space, each providing a different function. Topped with Black Cloud Onyx with a waterfall edge, the higher island provides seating for four. The lower island showcases Calcutta Caldia Marble countertops with a waterfall edge, and includes a Contemporary Gas Cooktop and Downdraft exhaust hood from Wolf.
Finishing off the room, Bianco Bellow flooring from Walker Zanger continues the marble-look/stone theme.
BRONZE
Spacious Entertaining
Mark Weiss
Weiss & Associates
Wayne, PA
This exceptional kitchen plus gathering spot for family and friends was a challenge on several fronts, one being its overwhelming size at 1,300 square feet. “We wanted to create a home that felt spacious, not cavernous,” stressed Mark Weiss of Weiss & Associates, who worked in conjunction with Winslow Interiors and McIntyre Capron & Associates.
Weiss incorporated sleek and smooth materials such as glass, stainless steel, stone and wood to keep the design interesting, noting that the natural colors of wood, chocolate brown, black and cream work together to create sophistication reminiscent of 5th Avenue. The space includes an extra-large, highly functional chef’s kitchen; a bar for entertaining positioned between the kitchen, foyer, open staircase and piano lounge; a dining area, and a walk-in pantry.
In the main kitchen area, the mix of cabinets from UltraCraft Cabinetry includes Lakewood Maple in Lunar Grey and glass-front stainless steel along the perimeter. Open shelving provides room for display items. A Wolf range is located directly across from the sink area in the island, and backed with a Dekton by Cosentino Lumina backsplash.
The 10′ island offers counter seating, serving space and additional prep space, with Dekton Entzo surfacing sitting on top of UltraCraft’s Piper cabinetry finished in Kona. Kohler’s Prolific sink is paired with the Kallista Jeton faucet here, positioned next to the dishwasher. Emtek Freestone satin nickel hardware is featured throughout.
The entertaining bar, part of the dining area, features UltraCraft Cabinetry’s Piper door style finished in Kona to match the island. It is completely stocked with a Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator and ice maker, and includes Kohler’s Kallos Spun Glass sink and Purist wet bar faucet.
Along the far wall, a Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer with glass door sits among other appliances, including a Wolf warming drawer and microwave. A generous walk-in pantry with shelving on both sides combines with a butler’s pantry and breakfast bar here.
Architectural LAM beams on the high ceilings and LV Cable Lighting from Techlighting tie the space together.