From splashes of color to flashes of brass, it is all about the details when it comes to your kitchen and bath. Here, spaces to inspire—plus all the details to create your own wow-worthy moments.
The bathroom features large-format tile sourced from Florida Tile on the walls and Rocky Mountain granite on the countertops. “Its web of beautiful dark veins resemble the Milky Way,” muses designer Ron Jones of R Jones Designs.
MODERN GENTLEMAN
Above the tub hangs the eight-bulb Atom chandelier from Nuevo Living paired with curtains of natural cotton scrim by Schumacher.
THE PROJECT
Nestled on the edge of Brookhaven, Ga., this contemporary six-bedroom, 5 ½ -bathroom house needed an upgrade for the savvy bachelor who called it home. Enlisting Ron Jones of R Jones Designs, the two worked together to completely transform the home into a moody, sexy, modern take on gentlemen’s quarters.
A free-standing tub sourced from Kohler
THE DETAILS
“This was my second time working with this client, and after earning his trust on the first project, he allowed me to have creative control and gave me a license to play,” says Jones. “He is part renegade, scholar, gentleman and has a distinctive style. More than anything, he is fun and excitable, and that is infectious. He will get you pumped about all the things he loves and I wanted to reflect this in our design.” In the bathroom, the pair wanted to continue the moody, sexy vibe, utilizing modern shapes paired with organic textures.
A found vintage bench from Turnage Place Estate Sales was recovered in fabric by De Leo Textiles, sourced from Atlanta’s Lewis & Sheron. The fabric is Akbar in Tuxedo Black.
THE OUTCOME
The result was a sexy, upscale, organic space where the homeowner could unwind after days in the office, out in the hustle and bustle of the world—like a tropical rainforest, dressed in myriad natural textures—wood, natural stone, greenery, quartz—that combine to create a euphoric retreat in the middle of the city. “This home felt cookie-cutter when we started. It was finished, but the finishes were builder-grade and stark,” says Jones. “We created a mood—a sexy, fun, modern but polite bachelor feel.”
BRASS KEY
One-of-a-kind custom brass pulls pop in this showstopping kitchen from Summer Thornton Design
THE PROJECT
Famously a maximalist, Chicago interior designer Summer Thornton faced an intriguing challenge with a client who wanted their kitchen to be seemingly the opposite: bright and clean, with some sheen and glamour. “We were looking for ways to make an original statement that feels fresh while incorporating a lot of white to bounce light,” Thornton says. “The challenge is, how do you deliver a bright white kitchen that is fresh and original when we’ve all seen them a million times?”
The design team allowed the brass to patina just enough to impart a chic hint of tarnish.
THE DETAILS
Brass is key to the striking effect of the room. “We designed custom, integrated pulls for all the kitchen cabinetry,” explains Thornton of the room’s brass accents, which give the kitchen an element of surprise and delight. “They’re one of a kind, made by a blacksmith just for this project. Our firm designed them and had them forged in polished brass and then intentionally allowed the brass to patina just the right amount before sealing them so that they always have just a hint of tarnish to look worn-in and real as a living, breathing metal. That level of detail and customization really makes the space sing and ensures the home is distinct.”
Thornton created a look that was both clean and maximalist with the use of layers with sleek metal finishes that contrast with the fresh white palette.
THE OUTCOME
Thornton’s strategy: “When you have a maximalist creating a look that’s clean, we’re looking for ways to make layers. In this kitchen, we did that with metal finishes—a hood with both burnished steel and polished stainless, cabinetry pulls in polished brass with a touch of tarnish, and matte black metal finishes on the lighting. It creates elements for your eyes to dance to, warmth, while still remaining bright and striking. As a whole, the kitchen has tons of sheen and polish but doesn’t feel flashy or trendy; it’s fresh and original but still familiar and timeless. Finding that balance is what makes it so successful.”
CLEAN SLATE
The primary shower offers the perfect oasis for unwinding.
THE PROJECT
Marrying the ultimate mix of a colorful personality plus a minimalist point of view, interior designer Bryan Yates of Yates Desygn worked with his clients to strike a balanced approach. Yates notes: “We found common ground by creating a space that incorporates tones from the primary suite for a smooth transition.”
His-and-her sinks make for optimal spacing.
THE DETAILS
“We wanted something that had a nice contrast but still added a bit of jewelry to the space,” shares Yates. “As a team, the homeowners and I gravitated toward this sleek yellow gold hardware to offer a brighter accent that nicely complements the light fixture. We wanted the hardware to pop and provide contrast without stealing the show.
THE OUTCOME
The perfect place to unwind in the lap of luxury. “My favorite part of the space is the cohesiveness from blending the two clients’ personalities,” shares Yates. “The resulting home is functional and relaxing. The room is neutral yet impactful, making it the perfect place to start and end the day.”
WARM MODERN
Tamara Feldman of Tamara Feldman Design in Miami created a contemporary kitchen and adjacent breakfast area, where an intimate setting of Knoll Saarinen seating is warmed by smoked bronze glass doors with a walnut interior thanks to eggersmann.
THE PROJECT
Inside a Porto Vita condo in Aventura, Fla., with views of Golden Beach, the ocean and the Intracoastal, designer Tamara Feldman created a crisp, clean backdrop for the owners’ significant contemporary art collection. “We curated the interiors around the paintings and sculpture,” Feldman says, “creating a narrative and visual experience that enhances the collection and the emotional connection to each piece.”
THE DETAILS
A sneak peek of that art can be seen in the eggersmann kitchen, where Feldman infused the space with warm, rich tones via custom walnut wood cabinetry, bronze glass for the upper cabinets and island, and terrazzo countertops and backsplash. The pantry door was also kept modern with smoke glass from Rimadesio that adds a lustrous finish. Miele appliances make the kitchen state of the art and a cluster of Murano glass pendants by Shakúff could be considered part of the owners’ art collection.
The kitchen mixes walnut wood, bronze glass and metal for a modern feel that complements the owners’ art collection in the breakfast area and throughout the apartment. The island features a double layer of terrazzo.
THE OUTCOME
The result is a space that lives up to the elegance and sophistication of the rest of the residence. The space houses a piece of their art in the adjacent breakfast nook and a wine refrigerator that speaks to the couple’s love of wine tasting. Says Feldman, “The kitchen is the place where they spend their mornings enjoying life’s moments.”
VILLA INSPIRED
A plaster ceiling relief by Ornamental Plaster Works, white floors and cabinetry, and neutral tilework give this kitchen a bright, inviting feel.
THE PROJECT
With the villas of Italy’s Lake Como as inspiration, a couple in Great Falls, Va., set out to create a 16,000-square-foot dream home with the help of architect James McDonald and custom construction from Joy Design + Build. Arlene Critzos and the team from Annapolis, Md.-based Interior Concepts Inc. were selected to bring the rooms to life with curated furnishings, textiles and finishes.
Entertainment options abound with a large kitchen island and a separate dining table for everything from casual meals to more formal occasions.
THE DETAILS
The kitchen’s visual drama begins with a unique plaster ceiling relief from Ornamental Plaster Works that floats above the island, along with a massive hood fashioned in cold-pressed pewter from François & Co. Elegant stone walls encase the refrigeration wall, and every feature in the space is complemented by neutral, elegant tilework, including the mosaic tile backsplash from Waterworks. “The breakfast room tabletop was hand-painted with intricate Italian designs with clean, simple chairs surrounding it,” says Critzos.
The gorgeous cold-pressed pewter hood from François & Co. offers visual drama to the room.
THE OUTCOME
Bella cucina! The homeowners are thrilled with the fresh clean lines and the light and airy feeling of their home—especially the kitchen, which has hosted large gatherings over the past year. But for all of its beauty, the homeowners note the kitchen’s functionality, especially for meal prep and casual dining, has been one of its biggest assets.
LILAC LUXE
THE PROJECT
This primary bathroom in the heart of a Bridgehampton, N.Y., abode is pure visual candy, thanks to top talent Michelle Gerson of Michelle Gerson Interiors. “The homeowners wanted the primary bathroom to be something special and unique, and serve as an extension of the primary bathroom suite,” Gerson says, adding that the homeowners were not afraid to push the envelope.
A custom vanity by Gary Ciuffo pairs with an Egg Collective mirror and fixtures sourced from Dornbracht.
THE DETAILS
From the start, the clients knew they wanted marble slabs in the bathroom. “When they saw the lilac slabs from Artistic Tile, all of our hearts skipped a beat, and we knew it would be a home run,” Gerson recalls.
Victoria Albert’s Barcelona 2 tub complements the bathroom’s chic gold hardware and droolworthy lilac marble from Artistic Tile.
THE OUTCOME
Collaboration was key in creating this punchy paradise. “[The clients] welcomed unique ideas, which we were able to bounce off of each other in order to achieve a balance between a beachy Hamptons retreat and their chic NYC style.”
DESERT MODERN
“One of our favorite pieces in this kitchen besides the timeless material palette is the custom-made dining table,” says Ownby. “This table is made of a triple-burnt live-edge wood slab that is channeled with smoke glass down the middle. A chandelier by Tech Lighting makes a major statement.
THE PROJECT
Located in a newly developed desert-surrounded golf community—Seven Desert Mountain in Scottsdale—this clean-lined space was a collaboration between Ownby Design, Drewett Works and Cullum Homes.
The team worked with Distinctive Custom Cabinetry on the cabinets and incorporated appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove. Dunn-Edwards paint in Droplets coats the walls, while Duchateau’s Vicomte wood flooring lends a warm, organic feel. Artwork from Leftbank Art and Wendover Art Group adds character.
THE DETAILS
“The kitchen was designed for ultimate functionality while keeping entertainment needs at the forefront,” says architect C.P. Drewett of Drewett Works. “Our primary objective was to derive our inspiration from the sharp and handsome architecture and warm desert environment,” adds Claire Ownby of Ownby Design. “Bringing the house stone onto interior massings and using timeless natural materials were just a few of the ways we achieved this goal.” In lieu of a second island, the team created a casual counter-height dining table.
THE OUTCOME
The kitchen—which has received multiple design awards—came together seamlessly. “Peace, tranquility and positive energy are all feelings one will get when standing in the this kitchen space,” says Ownby, who notes that the appliance layout was fine-tuned to put efficiency at the forefront. “This space is the heart of the home, surrounded by elegant living spaces and seamlessly connecting to picture-perfect outdoor living,” adds Drewett. “And who doesn’t love living on a golf course? It’s beautiful every day of the year.”
GREEN DREAM
In lieu of upper cabinets, Rideau decided to add three large windows that look out to the expansive garden. The wicker stools are from Serena & Lily, the flooring is from Exquisite Surfaces and the lighting is from Circa Lighting.
THE PROJECT
California-based interior designer Caren Rideau knows kitchens. She’s even written a book about them—Caren Rideau: Kitchen Designer, Vintner, Entertaining at Home (Pointed Leaf Press)—that’s debuting this fall. For this L.A. project—a ground-up home for a celebrity comedian and his family—Rideau wanted to create a space that fit in well with the house’s overall farmhouse style while also showcasing a bold yet livable color: the perfect green.
Rideau incorporated appliances from Viking and Sub-Zero into the design.
THE DETAILS
Rideau and her team spent quite some time trying to create the just-right shade. “I wanted the green to be bright and energizing, but with a kitchen of this size, I knew it also had to have a warm undertone,” she says. “As we began to develop the color, my thoughts went to the green of a serrano pepper, a staple item in my kitchen.” She balanced the bold cabinets with a forgiving tumbled limestone floor—perfect for the active family of four and their pets—and durable quartz countertops. “I never want to select a competing color when choosing a bold hue in the kitchen,” she says. Since the cabinets reach the 10-foot ceilings, a stylish rolling ladder allows easy access to top-shelf items.
Rideau worked with Shawn Rabbani, CEO of Bellagio Design Build, on the project. The Wood Mode cabinets are painted in a custom green lacquer and adorned with brass hardware imported from England.
THE OUTCOME
“The end result of this kitchen embodied all of my clients’ practical needs for a busy family, while celebrating the farm-style aesthetic and the vibrancy of the perfect green,” Rideau reports. Details like brass cabinet hardware imported from England and organic wicker island stools are the perfect finishing touches to the warm and welcoming space. “The kitchen is current and modern with its products,” says Rideau, “but farmhouse in style and it makes you want to cook and entertain.”
Photography by: FROM TOP: PHOTOS BY MORGAN NOWLAND; PHOTO BY MORGAN NOWLAND; PHOTO BY THOMAS LOOF FOR SUMMER THORNTON DESIGN, AS SEEN IN WONDERLAND: ADVENTURES IN DECORATING; PHOTO BY MICHAEL WILTBANK; PHOTO BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMANPHOTO BY ROBERT RADIFERA/STYLING BY CHARLOTTE SAFAVI; PHOTO BY BRITTANY AMBRIDGE; PHOTO BY DINO TONN; PHOTO BY MEGHAN BEIERLE-O’BRIEN
