Kitchen Case Study: Old Florida, New Vision

One hundred years ago Addison Mizner brought Spanish style to Florida.  Incidentally, the state's written history begins with the arrival of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513. Functionally, the tall open arches, windows and loggias typical to that architecture invite sea breezes within and were the perfect antidote to our hot steamy summers prior to air conditioning.

The range hood picks up rich wood tones of the new floor. Counter tops are quartz by Silestone. Photo by Shanna Morgaine

Mizner subtly adapted his designs to suit Florida and its warm climate. Although inspired by the art of Spain and Italy, his structures bear his own stamp and are a defining feature of what we think of today as Palm Beach style.

Addison Mizner’s design for the Cloister Inn, now the Boca Raton Resort & Club, relied on his signature Mediterranean Revival style.

Photo courtesy of the Boca Raton Historical Society

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Mediterranean Revival style lives on reminding us of Mizner and his contribution to the Palm Beach landscape.

Addison Mizner with his pet monkey, Johnnie Brown 

Courtesy of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County

Source

I was recently delighted to be a part of a kitchen remodel in one such home located in Boca Raton.  The homeowners were looking for an updated and functional kitchen for their family.  At the same time, they treasure and acknowledge the history of their hundred-year-old home.

Setting the Scene

See a new kitchen I designed in a hundred-year-old Addison Mizner home in Boca Raton. It's a bit of Florida history + updated style! For more about this interesting project visit my blog at ArtfulKitchens.net I would love to help you with your project too!

Design wise I saw my biggest challenge as taking the existing kitchen space plus a butler’s pantry area and making them into one decent sized unified kitchen full of function. At the same time, it had to feel fresh yet look like it belonged in the house.

Challenges of an Older Home

The previous main sink location before we combined the two rooms

Denali Construction Corp, with architect Adriana Finnvold, expertly addressed issues with the foundation which were discovered during demo.  They also were able to remove the wall separating the existing kitchen and butler’s pantry. Since we were removing a hallmark arch we added one on the entry to the dining room as well as one in the hallway.

Design Thoughts

The existing wood floor was in poor shape so it was replaced with a similar but darker wood with slightly wider, more updated planks. We picked up the rich finish with a matching range hood hood, traditional but clean lined.  Floating shelves in the same wood material tied it all together and added a modern touch.

Floating shelves add a touch of modern. Photo by Shanna Morgaine

Function & Flow

In order to really integrate the old butler’s pantry, I decided to locate the main sink and clean up work area there below an existing window looking out on a courtyard garden.

New main sink and clean-up work zone in former butler’s pantry area

The relocated main sink and clean-up zone with a new arch to the dining room. The apron style sink is the iconic IKON Silgranit sink by Blanco. Photo by Shanna Morgaine.

The old kitchen sink became a prep sink, closer to the refrigerator allowing the two separate functions of food prep and clean up to happen simultaneously.  Voilá we now had a two cook kitchen.

We also added some glass doors and took the cabinets up to the ceiling for maximum storage. A peninsula provides additional seating for the breakfast area. Bernier Cabinetry by Devine Design Kitchens & More brought this design to life with their careful planning and expert installation. I always say the best projects are great collaborations.

Some Final Words from a Happy Client

My client dishes on exactly what she loves about her new kitchen! Gloria@artfulkitchens.net 561-254-7736

See more photos of this kitchen here in my portfolio.

Art for the Kitchen & Bath

If you know me you know I'm always thinking about art and artfulness. When it comes to incorporating creativity into the home, I love finding paintings and ways to showcase sculpture and artisan items in a seamless way, especially in kitchens and baths. I recently attended ICFF Florida (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) in Fort Lauderdale and right off the bat I noticed the amazing work of Lee Brock! She makes original digital paintings directly on metal which makes them a natural for the heart of the home. I thought it would be fun to get to know her.

Paris Rain from Lee Brock Art & Design Paris Collection

AK- What is your inspiration?

Music, culture, history, nature, science, good design and other artists. Making art centers me, like meditation, it is cleansing for me.

AK- Do you accept custom commissions? What is the process for this type of order?

Yes, I do. At this time I am only offering commissioned work with the digital process. The digital images in my catalogs can have custom color themes applied to them, with outcomes dependent on the file type. A discussion in person is always a great way to get a commission started. My studio is in Fort Lauderdale and is a good place for a meeting. That said, communication can also be over the internet. The biggest hurdle with the digital files is getting the colors correct. It is important that samples from the print company I am working directly with are actually seen - in the clients hands - during the process. These are printed on PVC and are part the overall cost. I am always open to creating new designs for clients who have some particulars in mind. 

"Box Full of Winter" It's not what you think it is!

AK- Do you have a favorite piece?

Right now it is “Box Full of Winter” (above). Most viewers see a bouquet of flowers, which is fine, but it is really about air-conditioning. For me it portrays that feeling of coming into a lovely air-conditioned building after being out in the hot tropical weather of South Florida. 

Lee Brock, she also does works on paper. Here she is with her silkscreen prints

AK- What is your background and how did you get into making prints on aluminum?

I grew up in the US and in Europe. I had a natural ability to draw realistically early on. In my teens I discovered abstract expressionism and have been exploring it in many mediums ever since. However, I pursued cooking as a career and not art. I spent some 30 years making art with food. Privately I continued to paint and draw. I left cooking in 2012 and got an associate degree in graphic design at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale. Three years ago I started painting digitally on an iPad while I was traveling. Printing these digital images on the white aluminum came about from exploring the commonly used substrate options available. None of the other finishes created the clean modern look I wanted. One day I was discussing options at a print company I work with and I saw a white aluminum sign blank, the kind that is used for street signs. Eureka! The bright white gloss finish reflects ambient light and color, adding a subtly changing effect into the printed design. I choose images that will work well with this effect. Being waterproof and washable are added benefits I hadn’t thought of. 

Riverside from the New York Collection

AK- I have seen your beautiful catalog.   Do you work on any other materials besides aluminum? 

Yes I do. I love painting and drawing on paper. I often like to work fast and automatically and paper is perfect for that. I am not painting on canvas with oil at this time because of space restraints. I am painting on canvas with acrylic. I adore making monoprints, etchings and screen prints. I have a screen print project I want to get started with soon. I am also a photographer.

You can find more of Lee's beautiful work in her catalog right here.

2018 The Year In Review

2018 was a year of fun and exciting projects which challenged and sparked my creativity! White kitchens continued to be the hot ticket sometimes with an artful mix of natural wood or with deep rich blues.

I call this the "new traditional kitchen". I had fun working with HW Interiors on this one.

There were difficult situations but always solutions. This video gives you a snapshot of the vast variety of spaces and projects that came my way throughout the year. When you work with me I create these 3D renderings in Chief Architect Interiors X10 so you can get a sense of the space because visuals are everything! I am deeply grateful to my clients for placing their trust in me. Wishing all my readers the best in 2019. Maybe this will be the year we create your new space! xoxo

Kitchen Design Case Study: Awkward Angles

Every time I think I've seen it all  I'm challenged to create a kitchen design that seems impossible! Such is the case with this recent project.  This home is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and features not only a stunning view but also the strangest shaped kitchen! Sometimes I wonder what architects are thinking.  

coastal kitchen watercolor render blue island chief architect kitchen design

Step 1- Let there be walls

(to scale and correctly angled)

I can't even begin to design until I can get the walls drawn to scale.  I had a physical blueprint which (after some quick research) I was able to trace over in my design program (Chief Architect).  Once I did this I discovered those angles are 30 and 60 degrees, not the typical 45!  There was no possibility of changing the shape of this kitchen.

blue print kitchen with angles

Step 2- Embrace the Space

One thing I have learned is that you will never win by trying to fight the space you're designing.  Honor it, whatever it is, if you can't change it. That is the only way to end up with a design that is timeless and looks like it has always "lived" in the space. In this case, that means embracing the angled main wall while allowing ample and efficient flow.

Step 2- How to make it better

Once I had the walls accurately represented I evaluated the current layout keeping my client in mind.  He loves to cook and he and his girlfriend love to entertain.  Here are my observations:

-Cabinets are too low, not taking advantage of the high ceiling and limiting storage

-The big POINT on the island has to go! That just jumped right out at me and called for correction

-We are in need of an update and new appliances that are up to the task of my client's cooking endeavors

-The shape of the island does allow for lots of storage but also lots of walking.  The sink is pretty far from the main wall.

-With the boat docked outside and observing everything else about the home I knew my clients' style is casual, Florida-Coastal and they are much more "comfortable" than contemporary.

a boat in the back with pool and canal palm beach gardens

Step 3- The Solution

The first thing I did was the back wall.  I knew it had to accommodate the refrigerator and the new wall oven my client selected.  The fridge and stove were already there so no need to reinvent the wheel.  Remember it saves money when you can keep your major appliances in the same, or close to the same location.  In the new design cabinets are now eight and a half feet high plus crown molding.  The upper, hard to access area, features glass doors to add a bit of style and aesthetic appeal which incidentally the homeowner mentioned he wanted.  This is the perfect spot for showcasing a collection and you can change the flavor by changing the contents when the spirit moves you.  Versatility is always an important aspect of my designs.  We've also got generous counter space next to the fridge, on each side of the stove and next to the ovens, a must!  That was the easy part.

white kitchen Palm Beach Gardens coastal style white cabinets blue accent kitchen design

Now for that island.  Hmmm.  Since I'm updating that means I'm simplifying.  I'll honor that angle but I think simplicity will calm the "angle noise".  It's a popular trend these days to keep an island all at one height but I didn't think it was the right solution for this project.  It turns out I was right and my client was so relieved!  This island is really a serious cleanup and prep space and with such an open space a little buffer was needed.  The raised bar also makes me think of the captain behind the wheel, it's sort of boat-like. Pulling the island closer to the main wall (still allowing 48") not only reduces the chef's steps but discourages unwanted traffic from congregating behind the island and getting underfoot. Now our island contains all the essentials but, not gonna lie, we've lost a little storage.  To compensate I added a section of full height cabinets to balance out the kitchen. Glass panes at top reference those on the main wall.  We're keeping these at 15" deep to keep the space open.  Another benefit of shallow tall cabinets is that you will do just fine with adjustable shelves whereas, in a deeper, 24"cabinet, you'll probably need roll outs or stuff gets lost and is hard to access in the back.  Roll outs really add to the price of your cabinets too. 

Step 4- More About Those Aesthetics

Now that the layout is solved I think, what can I do to make this kitchen design stand out and fit my client's personality? A deep nautical blue island and coordinating hood of course!  I also loved the idea of creating a spot for an ocean scene front and center on the hood itself.  This is a great place to add a painting you love and, again, you can change it up! Voila

awkward angle kitchen floor plan view kitchen design

What do you think of this kitchen design? Are there any elements here you can apply to your own situation? This project is now underway and I look forward to sharing the outcome!

Show Stopping Dining Tables: Vintage to Modern

Naturally, I focus a lot on the kitchen including cabinetry and all the other components but one way to really personalize your heart of the home and give it a fresh look is with your dining table.   More and more we are seeing open kitchens that incorporate dining rooms. If you are on a budget and are opting for stock cabinets which can be rather limited in materials and design the perfect dining table choice could be your answer.  Even if your styling is more contemporary a lovely vintage dining table can make for a unique focal point.Dining tables can and, in my opinion, should lend contrast to your kitchen in some way especially if you have an open floor plan. Let me share with you a few tips on how to select the right size, shape and style for your dining table or breakfast table.

dining table for ten modern natural wood table mid century modern dining chairs with upholstery in blue white wainscot panels on wall light gray faux finishes

Size Matters

First things first, it has to fit and you'll need enough space to move around your dining table with ease.  This means that if there is a wall behind a chair you'll need a minimum of  36" to move in and out comfortably.  42" clear on all sides is preferable. One seat requires about 24" in width so that will determine how many chairs you can fit.  How wide the chair itself also makes a difference and, of course, armless is best if you're looking to maximize seating.  Tight quarters nearly always work best with round tables and if you have a bar I suggest stools with an adjustable height option so they can double as extra dining table chairs if necessary.

round glass top dining table with natural wood base and woven rattan dining chairs natural wood console mid century modern style

The Look & Feel

Once you have the size just right you'll want to select a style that will take it from table to show stopper.  The trick is in contrast.  Dining tables should stand out from the surroundings but it's also lovely if there is at least one element that ties it to the room.  For example, in the photo above, the table base is a different color stain and the chairs are entirely different but its the beautiful wood grain that makes it work.  This room is all about the organic color palette, natural materials, and clean modern lines. All together this ensemble says Mid Century magic!

Farmhouse Charm

This modern farmhouse look is huge at the moment. Below the deep rich finish of the top contrasts and stands out but look how perfectly it works in the room. Note also how the beautiful glass globes on the light fixtures repeat the shape of the turned legs on the table and bench.  The bench look goes right along with the farmhouse style and is great for maximizing seating.

Baluster turned leg dining table by James + James white legs with dark wood top matching bench seat and dining chairs white shiplap on wall glass globe pendant lights

Elegant Coastal

This elegant coastal design by Amy Tyndale features a wood stained dining table. The contrasting white chairs tie the dining area to the kitchen and trim molding.  Also check out the repeating curvy X motif in the chairs, light fixtures and candle holders on the table.  It's the details that come together to create one amazing design statement.

amy tyndale design coastal dining room with natural wood dining table, white dining chairs, traditional cabinets with glass doors wine coolers built-in coffee maker large white pendant lights with chrome accents wood floor

Do you have a dining table dilemma? Please do share!! Email me at Gloria@ArtfulKitchens.net and I just might feature your question and share my ideas for you right here at Artful Kitchens.  Cheers!

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When Nakturnal offered to sponsor me to dish on dining rooms it was a natural fit! I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. All content and images reflect my own personal viewpoint.