The Road to Extraordinary Design

What does a well-designed room look like? Maybe you can’t quite put it into words, but you can tell when something looks right. It’s pleasing to the eye and in sync with its purpose.  Like a well-dressed person, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

So what are the key elements that add up to extraordinary design? Let’s look at it in terms of a kitchen remodel.

The modern kitchen is more than a place to prepare meals. It’s an extension of a family’s lifestyle: a gourmet cook or cooking couple, partners who love to entertain, a family that gathers in the kitchen day and night. No matter what the desired end uses, certain design principles will prevail.

Keep it light and bright. Natural light is a great room opener and mood lifter. Use windows to advantage when they are available. Bring in the light from adjoining rooms by creating an open kitchen.  In the home pictured above, an open framework multi-tasks to brighten the kitchen, serve as a media center and house a staircase. The eating and workspace half of the island is fitted with pedestal-like legs to add a feeling of airiness. Recessed ceiling lighting will light up the nighttime activity.

Create harmony and simplicity with color and texture.
Mixing natural wood finishes with stainless steel and lighter flooring and countertops will create a clean elegant appearance. Matte cabinets and counters work nicely with gleaming stainless appliances to accentuate simplicity. In the kitchen pictured, the subtle play of light and dark finishes present a cohesive effect – eye-catching and inviting, but not overwhelming.

Blend function with form. 
The best design does not sacrifice form for function, or vice versa. The key is to select materials that look great now, and will also stand the test of time and family living. The kitchen shown here melds functionality with elegance of form: appliances are set under the counter and behind elegant cabinetry to create a clean and inviting profile.