FLOATING ON
AIR
| I knew, as the narrow drive ascended and
I drove under this Richard Neutra-styled home, cantilevered off its ridge
perch on 13"-high I-beams, that an inspiring challenge awaited!
The National Kitchen & Bath
Association, at our annual showcase, recognized my design solution as the
"First Place" kitchen in its category. At the conclusion of the category
judging, the judges then announced that it had also been selected as the
the NKBA's 2007 Best Overall Kitchen Winner!
|
John G. Wilbanks Photography |
| As the design developed, I emulated the
U-shaped channels of the I-beams, using blackened steel in the U-shaped
recess between the cabinets and countertops and below the crown elements.
This same recess appears, executed in stainless steel, on the floating
peninsula. Blackened steel also appears as the backsplash and as a frame
around each of the Sub-Zero units.
Growing up in a home of the same 50's vintage, I recommended mahogany cabinets, updated by using African ribbon mahogany and a Cuervo stain, with bamboo inserted for the door panels, oriented horizontally, like the patio shades of that same era. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The main countertop is green-toned concrete (to connect with the site's natural setting), with mother-of-pearl inlays (to add a reflective shimmer that relates to the glass). The secondary countertops are hand-cast glass over flamed copper. The flamed copper picks up on the tones in the mahogany and bamboo and also appears in the custom-built hood that also "cantilevers" off the wall. |
 |
 |
 |
The I-Beam structure under the floating peninsula |
From the nook, looking outside John G. Wilbanks Photography |
10"-deep powder room counter George Kovacs mirror |
Back to the "Thumbnail Tour" |
Go to "Reading Tour" index with links to Landon's résumé & articles such as: "Is Work Triangle Dead?" |
On to read about Landon's "Designed by L.I.F.E." Process |
Back to the "Home Page" |