Our client enjoys cooking and entertaining small groups, and wanted a chef’s kitchen completely open to the living and dining spaces (and the views) yet separate enough so guests would not interfere with his cooking.  He wanted a simple contemporary style, a clean and uniform look with dark woods.  He needed lighting improvements and all new furniture but retained two existing contemporary paintings.

This 42^nd floor downtown St. Paul condo, remodeled for a single professional man, features window walls on two sides; the magnificent views deserve status as the unrivaled major focal point, but the décor was outdated, and the view obstructed.

All design for this project was done in-house.  The walls of the existing kitchen were removed to achieve an open space.  Constructing a platform to position the kitchen a step above the living/dining areas served two purposes: space was made for the plumbing required to move the sink to the new island (which orients the kitchen outward toward the views and guests, while keeping guests out of the work area), and the desired elevated view of the city was provided to the client while he works in the kitchen.  Top-line appliances were specified for gourmet cooking, and the line of kitchen cabinetry was continued into a bar in the living area, complete with a wine cooler.

The desired style was achieved with a simple geometry of strong angles contrasted with curves, and a mix of materials in which dark rich color contrasts with the light and bright.  Flat slab cabinet doors of wineberry stained cherrywood are accented by stainless steel uppers with inset glass panels and taupe glass backsplash tiles, and contrasted by the curve of the glass and stainless steel vent hood. Silver Galaxy granite kitchen countertops add visual texture to the kitchen. 

Angular seating pieces utilize dark woods and solid grey upholstery, while two “Loop” chairs contrast with curves in chrome and black leather.  Glass and stainless steel comprise the curves of the bar top and dining table.  Merbau wood flooring and dark taupe wall paint are appropriate as background; bright color is reserved for the custom woven rugs and pillows to complement the client’s wall art.

The lighting system was completely redesigned to provide the greatest flexibility for a full spectrum of lighting needs and moods.  Recessed fixtures in the soffits; low-voltage track with a number of different fixtures; under cabinet task fixtures; monopoints to highlight art; and commercial style uplights along the perimeter of the living area are all installed on dimmers.

The greatest challenge on this project was working with plumbing and electrical changes within the restraints of concrete floors and ceilings.  A new section of soffit in the entry to conceal new electrical wires for perimeter lighting was carefully designed to segue into existing soffits.  New ceiling fixtures were chosen with the limitations of existing junction boxes in mind, and a floor electrical outlet was wired through a custom wood channel flush with the wood floor.  The height of the raised kitchen floor was carefully sized to meet plumbing slope codes for the new water and waste pipes underneath.

It’s a sweep!  2007 NKBA, COTY, ASID Awards & 2008 ROMA Award!

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DreamMaker

Bath & Kitchen