FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS 

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award (EDA) for their designs with Decor products. Kate is being featured for her win in the Decor Bathrooms category. 

FEELING AT HOME WITH CALM 

Kate Sawchyn is from Edmonton, Alberta but loves California casual style. She lives with the love of her life and fur baby, in a calm, casual home with a relaxed ambiance. Kate likes to combine traditional and contemporary elements to strike a balance between laid-back and timeless. It must be a designer’s dream come true when you get to design a space that is like your personal design style, as it is with the project we are featuring today. 

CREATING A GETAWAY 

As we mentioned before, Kate is no stranger to creating calm spaces. The clients that built this house are a busy family and they really wanted their master bathroom to feel like a getaway. Somewhere they could shut the door and let the stress of the day melt away. 

Kate starts her designs with a comprehensive understanding of the client’s needs and expectations. She says, “the key to a successful design is having a clear understanding of what the client wants”. Regardless of a variety of budgets, styles, timeframes, and requirements, Kate likes to develop relationships based on mutual trust and respect. 

CALIFORNIA CASUAL DESIGN 

So how was California casual design implemented in this award-winning bathroom? Kate says, “I drew from the California casual influence by mixing light Alder wood with natural stone floors”. Using organic materials enhances the connection to nature and a little bit of greenery adds a touch of life. 

In colder climates like where this home is located, having a spa like bathroom that nods to the outdoors brings feelings of happiness and relaxation (especially during long winters). So, it’s no surprise that people want to emulate the warm, sunny, California aesthetic even if their reality is on the prairies. 

Warm lighting, black tile, and flat panel cabinet fronts add modern flair. The gold hardware and décor accents reflect the soft lighting, creating a cozy ambiance. The vanities add lots of storage, which will keep the bathroom clean, organized, and stress free for the client.  

ADD SPA VIBES TO YOUR BATHROOM 

Looking to create serenity in your space? Before you embark on your bathroom renovation, here are some tips from this project to make your bathroom feel like a California oasis.  

1. Add Some Greenery 

2. Include Natural Materials 

3. Warm Ambient Lighting 

4. Clean, Organized Storage Solutions 

5. Fresh Linens (points if you roll them) 

CALM FROM THE START 

Creating a space that is calm should start with the design process. A great designer will take your vision and execute it beautifully without added stress for you. Kate did this for her client’s bathroom and we love the calm and cozy California casual vibe she created. If you are looking for a kitchen and bath designer contact Kate at Towne and Countree Kitchens.  

Follow Towne and Countree Kitchens: 
@townecoyeg 

Materials Used: 
Clear Alder Cabinetry in Loft Finish 
Door Style V106 
Drawer Style Slab 
O/S Profile L 

FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award (EDA) for their designs with Decor products. Brianne Avis is being featured for her win in the Decor Specialty Rooms category.

WOOD IS BACK, AND IN NEW WAYS

Flashbacks of dark 1970’s floor to ceiling panels may scare people off the idea of wood paneling. However, wood is making a comeback in home design in a variety of new ways: feature walls (like wood slat walls and molding details), accent islands, vanities, upper or lower cabinets, and of course, built-in wall cabinetry.

When I chatted with Brianne, the designer of this luxurious office space, she said “there’s just something about having the natural grain of the wood show through, that brings a warmth and life to a space that you can’t get with a painted finish”.

Not only are warm natural wood tones coming back, but wood TFL (thermally fused laminate) products are becoming increasingly popular. This engineered panel can mimic wood textures, giving that organic feel to contemporary and modern spaces.

WOOD GRAIN TFL PANELS

Adding wood paneling is a great way to bring warmth into a design. We have seen TFL panels be used as backing panels like this project or on kitchen islands and as cabinetry end panels. This material doesn’t age like wood, it’s easily wipeable, and it’s often more cost effective than real wood.

In this project TFL wood panels are the backing for this custom bookshelf unit. The wood grain look provides contrast to the rich black bookshelf and adds organic tradition to the modern space.

THE DESIGN BRIEF

The client is a custom home builder, designing a home in London, Ontario. At the time they anticipated this new build would be a lottery home, so high end finishes and design elements needed to wow for resale.

Lottery homes need to have wow factor, potential buyers walking into each room need to fall in love and imagine themselves living there. The more people that walk through and love the home, the more likely they are to buy tickets (raising money for local hospitals). This presented a unique challenge for the design: Creating a space that isn’t tailored for just one client’s taste. Brianne was up for the challenge.

By using modern finishes (like the rich black on the bookshelf cabinetry from Decor Cabinets) combined with traditional elements (like the ladder rail and wood paneling from Zonavita), she was able to put together an office that would appeal to a large audience.

BALANCING WOOD PANELING WITH OTHER ELEMENTS

It takes a talented designer to make wood paneling look luxurious, modern, and accessible to everyone. Here are some additional design elements that Brianne used to create this wow-factor office.

CONTEMPORARY LIGHTING

Lighting played an important role in creating the ambiance of luxury. Each of the shelving areas are outfitted with puck lighting, creating the perfect spotlight for books and décor items. Brianne explained that in scenarios like this she prefers puck lights rather than strip lighting, because it creates a more intimate feel.

TRADITIONAL LADDER RAIL

The ladder rail is Brianne’s favourite part of the project. Reminiscent of the scene where Belle sweeps through the Beast’s library in the Disney classic film Beauty and the Beast, this ladder rail brings tradition and whimsy to the space (while being practical of course).

MODERN SHAKER DOOR PROFILE

To keep the design from feeling too traditional, Brianne chose a modern shaker door profile. Shaker cabinets are a clean and simple 5-piece cabinet door design. This style is popular right now and definitely a crowd pleaser.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE UNEXPECTED

This stunning office space is beautifully elevated with this custom-built in. It just goes to show that you shouldn’t be afraid to mix design styles or use materials in unexpected ways. The use of wood paneling in this bookshelf is a stunning reinvention of traditional wood paneling, adding warmth and luxury to the home.

If you are looking for stand-out cabinetry, contact Brianne Avis at Casey’s Creative Kitchens.

Follow Casey’s Online
@caseyscreativekitchens 
@caseysstonedivision 

Materials Used:
Maple Cabinetry in Ebony Finish
Door Style P1_62_62_L
Drawer Style 5 Piece Ply Panel
O/S Profile L

Zonavita TFL Panels

FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS  

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award (EDA) for their designs with Decor products. Jessica Curry is featured for taking home the EDA in the Zonavita brand small kitchens category.

THE AUTHOR OF THIS DESIGN 

Jessica likes to sit down with clients and tell them the story of their design. They can imagine how this new space will carry them through their day with efficiency and style. Having worked with this homeowner on previous design projects, they started off strong knowing the direction of the room and on some of the contemporary materials. However, Jessica was able to add her expert touch and write in some unexpected but welcome additions to this kitchen, showing creativity really does flourish in the right hands.  

THE DESIGN STORY BEGINS AT AN ARCHITECT’S NEW BUILD HOME IN ROCHESTER 

The home is planted on a beautiful, wooded property where ample foliage can be viewed through large black framed windows. This forever home embodies simplicity and contrast, as the couple enters a new stage in their life as empty nesters.  

The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, is a place for quiet reflection with a morning coffee, or a date night spot to enjoy quiet dinners for two. The room is airy and open feeling with ample light. Industrial cabinetry and fixtures add a polished edge to the open concept space. Simple yet durable finishes are perfect for when grandchildren come to visit, racing around the large central island. 

INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS WERE FAVORED BY THE CLIENT  

Black Matt UV Lacquer thermally fused laminate cabinetry creates depth and contrast in this contemporary kitchen. Black is quintessentially modern and to achieve simplicity, flat panel cabinet fronts were chosen throughout. Roll out shelves are carefully concealed behind smooth doors to keep exterior profiles minimalistic. A large central island holds most of the storage for everyday cooking, reducing the need for many upper cabinets. 

The forest is brought inside by wrapping the black cabinetry in Tobacco Halifax Oak TFL panels. The realistic wood texture is complete with knots and swirling grain patterns. Throughout the kitchen a dark teal blue horizontal tile backsplash creates depth and reflects light. Ceramic ripples catch the light reflected around the spacious kitchen. 

CABINETRY STRATEGICALLY GROUNDS THE SPACE WITHOUT OVERWHELMING THE ROOM 

The tall, angled ceiling in this kitchen draws the eye upward. This open concept kitchen is simplistic in appearance, but there is no lack of depth. The cabinetry’s clean lines beautifully complement the existing architecture. Space is artfully maximized without taking away from the clean aesthetic. Everything flows together inside and out. 

BRINGING THE KITCHEN TO LIFE 

During the design process, when Jessica gets to a point of satisfaction, she can start envisioning the room coming together with layers of colour and material. This combines the finishes chosen with the initial drawing to illustrate the full picture and tell the design story to the customer. She’ll include samples for the customer to touch, taking them into the design.  

This makes the project come to life – for both Jessica and the client.  

If you are looking for a designer to tell your story, contact Jessica at Interiors by Jessica Curry. 

Follow Jessica Online 
@interiorsbyjcurry 

Materials Used
Black Matt UV Lacquer TFL
Door Style 100
Drawer Style Plain Horizontal Grain
O/S Profile G

Tobacco Halifax Oak TFL
Door Style 100
Drawer Style Plain Horizontal Grain
O/S Profile G

FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award (EDA) for their designs with Decor products. Stephanie Langford is being featured for her win in the Zonavita brand Bathrooms category.

MEET THE DESIGNER

Stephanie Langford from Oakville Kitchen & Bath Centre is in her 19^th year of kitchen and bath design. She has an interior design background and previous experience working for a small custom cabinet manufacturer. It was during the latter that she discovered how cabinets were made, and the possibilities that custom cabinetry holds for designers.

SHE HAS AN ECLECTIC DESIGN STYLE

She appreciates clean, organized spaces that are thoughtfully curated: a selection of plants, antiques, whites, and warm wood tones. An eclectic mix of clean lines and traditional pieces.

Combining modern and traditional style (using Zonavita brand product) is exactly what Stephanie did for the project we are featuring today.

HOW THIS FLOATING VANITY COMBINES MODERN & TRADITIONAL STYLES

This stunning bathroom concept was designed to be a display for Oakville’s showroom. It intentionally combines modern and traditional styles to help clients visualize new ideas for their home.

Here’s how Stephanie achieved this blended eclectic look:

1. Clean Lines, Flat Cabinet Fronts, and No Ornamental Flourishes
2. Unexpected Floating Vanity
3. Choosing Traditional, Earthy Materials
4. Adding Industrial Modern Finishes
5. LED Lighting
6. Styling with Transitional Housewares

1. Clean Lines, Flat Cabinet Fronts, No Ornamental Flourishes

The foundation of this design is clean lines and minimalistic cabinetry. There are no routed edges or traditional 5-piece cabinet fronts. Sticking to simple, clean lines in the design keeps the bathroom feeling modern.

2. Unexpected Floating Vanity

The matt black floating vanity will be an unexpected design for Oakville’s mainly traditional clientele. Using negative space is a trademark of contemporary design, which Stephanie implemented beautifully.

3. Choosing Traditional, Earthy Materials

Mixing clean lines with traditional materials balances the design so it still feels close to home to those who love traditional style. The matt black vanity is wrapped in rustic 1 ½” Tobacco Halifax Oak columns. Clients can see the warm familiar texture of wood grains implemented in a new way.

A tall linen cabinet finished in Tobacco Halifax Oak sits to the right of floating vanity. It’s anchored by 6″ Black Matt toe kick, again combining wood textures with clean lines.

4. Adding Industrial Modern Finishes

Dekton Trillium stone/porcelain counter top caps off the vanity and adds an industrial flare with its faux steel finish. An integrated Dekton sink is incorporated into the top for a seamless modern look. This rustic industrial vanity is topped off with a matte black Kohler faucet.

5. LED Lighting

A back and front lit LED mirror adds the perfect amount of accent and task lighting to this bathroom.  Undercabinet LED lighting from Zonavita highlights the drawer contents and is a luxurious surprise when opened.

6. Styling with Transitional Housewares

Stephanie styled this space with matt black vases in traditional shapes, again balancing modern and classic interior design. A small bar of natural soap and a faux plant add earthy touches to this rustic industrial bathroom.

PROEJCT CHALLENGES BECOME LEARNING EXPERIENCES

There were some struggles that Stephanie faced during this bathroom design project. For example, a white sink would not have suited the rustic modern vibe. She needed to troubleshoot finding complimentary materials for this eclectic bathroom.

However, challenges like these are her favourite part of the project. This was the first time she had worked with this particular sink product from Dekton. She enjoys the learning experiences that come with working through designs.

ARE DISPLAY PROJECTS JUST FOR SHOW?

Are showroom projects just for looking at? Well, yes and no. While they are for display purposes, they have an important function.

Showroom displays give clients inspiration, opening their minds to different materials & design styles.

For example, not all bathrooms would have the space for a tall linen cabinet like the one used in this project. Offsetting the sink to the right shows clients that the sink doesn’t have to be in the center and what they gain from offsetting the sink.

TRY COMBINING DESIGN STYLES IN YOUR HOME

If you enjoy the warm familiarity of traditional design, but the fresh clean lines of modern industrial style, try combining them like Stephanie did in this showroom bathroom.

Follow on Oakville Kitchen & Bath on Social Media

@oakvillekitchenandbathcentre

Materials Used:

Melamine
Tobacco Halifax Oak
Black Melamine Interior
Door 100
Drawer Plain (Horizontal Grain)
O/S Profile G

FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS 

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award for their designs with Decor products. Brian Novak is being featured for his grey and white modern kitchen design that won the Zonavita People’s Choice category.

UNDERDOG DESIGNER TO AWARD WINNER 

When Brian started at United Wholesale Supply, he knew nothing about cabinets. Apart from some previous experience working for a supplier of building materials (junction boxes etc.), he knew nothing about home design – let alone kitchen design. 

He did not journey into design in the typical way. He knew he liked to draw, and his mom had always encouraged him to pursue a creative career. But he didn’t think that was the path for him. So, when United Wholesale took a chance on Brian, they couldn’t have expected he would end up winning a design award. 

Brian has been improving his skills over the 8 years he has been at the company. With the help of a kind mentor and a strong motivation to succeed, he built up his accounts and created lasting professional relationships. He discovered that this was a career he could find meaning and growth in, not just a 9-5 to pay the bills.  

He had to go back and tell his mom she was right. 

EVERY DETAIL MATTERS WHEN YOU’RE THE LAST PERSON IN THE DOOR  

The kitchen is a major focal point of the home. Most clients won’t see a small flaw in their insulation. But they will notice if something in their kitchen isn’t right.  

Brian explained that every detail matters in a kitchen. When you’re the last person in the door at a construction project, things are looked over with more intensity. A high-quality result is expected. 

THAT’S WHY HE TREATS HIS CLIENTS LIKE FAMILY 

Brian gives every customer the same special attention that he would his mom. He enjoys every opportunity to meet with them, whether it be because they want to discuss a change or have a concern. He enjoys getting to know his clients and every chance to connect is welcomed.  

A GREY AND WHITE MODERN KITCHEN WITH SYMMETRY 

For the project Brian submitted and ultimately won an award for, the client was looking to update her kitchen (she previously had older oak cabinets). The rest of her home has been modernized to keep up with the trends in Seattle and she needed her kitchen to have the same symmetry and flair that the rest of her home did. 

The symmetrical built in unit that included the fridge was what sold this project. It perfectly matched the way that she wanted her kitchen to feel. Each door and drawer in this built-in is aligned with another on the opposite side. 

CREATING A KITCHEN WITH A SIGNATURE

Everyone is different, so every kitchen design should be as well. Creating a custom kitchen means bringing the clients’ dreams to life. Brian tries to add that one thing to each kitchen that represents the homeowner and is a special touch just for them. 

He described one project in which an entire kitchen was designed around a drawer that was custom made to fit a large box of Ceran wrap. The homeowner always purchased this wrap but could never find a spot for it in her old kitchen. 

For the award-winning project we are featuring today, the signature feature that is unique to this homeowner was taking the lower cabinet material and wrapping the upper cabinets with it.

COMPONENT DESIGN WITH ZONAVITA 

Brian collaborated with Robins Design, who helped create this grey and white modern kitchen for the client. Symmetry is a big part of this design. With custom cabinetry, every component can be made exact to the size required. 

Modifying cabinet sizes and materials can be done to achieve specific design requirements or to create unique combinations. This was crucial in creating symmetry in this kitchen. 

Products from both Zonavita (a contemporary brand from Decor) and Decor Cabinets were used to achieve this design. Integrating the two lines together was a challenge Brian was up for, and we think he executed it beautifully. 

Zonavita product was used to wrap the upper cabinets and for the entirety of the base cabinets. The dark grey (Anthracite Mountain Larch) TFL cabinets are manufactured to give the appearance of real wood grain. The White Matte painted HDF upper cabinets are Decor. Choosing flat panel door fronts keeps this design modern and fresh. 

Minimalistic Under Cabinet Lighting 

Factory lighting is also on display – but not as you would expect. Usually, under cabinet lighting would be partially shown or some wiring would be exposed. With Decor products, the lighting is routed into the bottom floor of the cabinets, hidden from view. This gives the cabinet a clean, modern look. 

AN UNEXPECTED END 

Shortly after this project was submitted to the Elite Design Awards, the homeowner experienced a flood. Luckily, with Zonavita, the toe kick is removable, and she was able to see the flood water underneath her cabinets.

The client loved the original grey and white modern kitchen so much; she is having it put back exactly the way it was. Brian is taking special care to make sure things are restored back to square one.

If that isn’t a testament to how this symmetrical modern kitchen met the client’s expectations completely, I don’t know what is.

Materials Used 
Anthracite Mountain Larch TFL  
Door Style 100 
Plain Vertical Grain Drawer 
O/S Profile G

White Matte HDF 
Door Style MDF800* 
Plain Drawer 
O/S Profile L 
*Doors are made of HDF, not MDF. Door style codes are being updated.
 
Follow On Social Media 
@unitedwholesalesupply

FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS 

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award (EDA) for their designs with Decor products. This stunning custom white kitchen designed by LeAnn Weber won Best Large Kitchen over 300sqft.

ONE-OF-A-KIND KITCHENS 

MainBuilt Custom Homes is a premier builder of luxury estates in Iowa. It’s there that designer LeAnn Weber unleashes her creative skills designing one-of-a-kind kitchens. 

LeAnn has been designing cabinetry since she graduated with a degree in Interior Design, something she loved right from the start. She says, if she wasn’t doing kitchen design that she would have to find some other creative pursuit. 

Her favorite part of her job is problem solving and finding solutions. She is passionate about her craft and is focused. Getting clients the perfect kitchen that is unique to them. So much so, that when she is enveloped in designing a project, she’ll often have dreams about it!   

BESPOKE DESIGN WITH TRADITIONAL ROOTS 

Located in the suburbs on a quiet cul-de-sac, this custom home was for a client that needed something bigger for their growing family. The kitchen was an important part of the project, as the owner would spend quite a bit of time there. This client was looking for something traditional, tailored to her unique style. LeAnn shared that the owner had a defined sense of style, and they carried that throughout the entire project. When accepting her award for best kitchen design over 300sqft she said, “it’s easy to design beautiful spaces when the client has such amazing taste.” 

CREATING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING 

Because this project was for a custom new build home, LeAnn had a bit more say when it came to moving structural components and millwork. Home renovations often come with limitations: no moving walls or plumbing. LeAnn can approach projects right from their inception, looking over floor plans to ensure the foundation for the kitchen is balanced and functional.

As the kitchen starts to take shape, she continues to refine the design to make sure everything is perfect – a huge benefit to custom home design. One thing that she tweaked in this floor plan was the ceiling height. 

RAISING THE ROOF (CEILINGS) FOR THIS KITCHEN

This client loved the dramatic ceiling that was in the great room and wanted this feature carried into the kitchen as well. Originally, the kitchen ceiling was not the 12ft that it is now, but with LeAnn’s intervention, the client got exactly what she wanted. 

One trend LeAnn loves right now is unique ceiling details. She was able to create a stunning wood feature in this client’s home. Painted tongue and groove paneling adds just the right amount of texture in between the white oak-stained beams. This highlights the islands and adds beautiful character. 

CUSTOM WALNUT ACCENTS BRING ORGANIC WARMTH

To contrast the stunning white kitchen cabinetry, walnut elements were added to this kitchen. The larger of the two islands has a custom side panel that resembles a grand piano. Decor Cabinets manufactured this curvature with design inspiration from LeAnn. Natural stain highlights the colour variation of the wood. On the other island, a 4-inch end grain butcher block counter from Grothouse perfectly matches the custom walnut side panel from Decor.

YOU CAN ROMANTICIZE THIS WHITE KITCHEN 

This room has a romantic flair. White elegant and timeless painted maple 5-piece cabinetry creates a fresh foundation for the rest of the design. The cabinet colour was specially matched by Decor to blend with the rest of the home. Integrated panels for the fridge and freezer delicately hide the appliances, not to take away from the feminine feel of the design. Brushed brass drawer knobs are a dainty addition. Traditional style shelf brackets add character. The kitchen feels warm and dreamy. Furthermore, it’s beautiful to the eye and extremely functional. 

FUNCTIONAL SPLIT ISLAND FOR EFFICIENCY 

This stunning kitchen features 3 functional islands. The first provides a large workspace and a quick dining area. The other two mirror each other and act as one island with a walkway in between. This was intentionally done to save the cook from having to walk around two large islands.  

THIS KITCHEN IS A DREAM COME TRUE 

The project LeAnn submitted, and ultimately won an award for is a stunning warm white kitchen with rich walnut accents. The use of custom cabinetry in this home gave the client exactly what she was looking for. I don’t blame LeAnn for dreaming about her client’s kitchens, I wouldn’t be surprised if this shows up in my dreams as well– it’s gorgeous. 

Follow LeAnn & MainBuilt on Social Media:
@leann_j_weber
@mainbuilt

Decor Materials Used: 

Maple – Special Match Paint 
PP470 Door 
5 Piece Ply Panel Drawer 
O/S Profile H 

Walnut – Natural Finish 
FP740 Door 
5 Piece Flat Panel Drawer 
O/S Profile L 

FEATURING AWARD WINNING DESIGNERS

This series of blog posts features designers who have been recognized by Decor Cabinets LTD and awarded an Elite Design Award for their designs with Decor products.

MEET ABBIE VOSBURG

Today I had the delight of chatting with Casey’s very own Abbie Vosburg. Abbie is one of the 2023 Elite Design Award (EDA) winners. She is recognized by Decor for an exceptional kitchen design. Casey’s Creative Kitchens has built a legacy of designing spaces that bring people together, and I got this feeling from our conversation. Her team came together to make this stunning kitchen a reality, problem solving and tackling design challenges head on (many of which were firsts for the designers to troubleshoot). I can’t wait to tell you more about Abbie and this project.  

Abbie is the mother of teen boys and is a self-proclaimed karaoke side hustler. (She really showed her skills at the Decor Academy event this September!). Ultimately, her biggest strength is her ability to listen.

Her biggest strength is her ability to listen. 

When chatting with design clients, she approaches the project first with a listening ear. She hears what they have to say before suggesting solutions or giving her design expertise. Abbie commits to crafting two design options for every project. One is always an exact delivery of what the customer has described to her. The other builds upon the clients’ suggestions and offers alternatives for them to consider. The foundation of trust she builds with her clients gives them the confidence to move forward together in the project. 

A labor of love.

The kitchen design Abbie submitted and ultimately won the People’s Choice EDA for was a true labor of love. The client was the mother of a friend and allowed Abbie to have free range of the design – a dream for any designer. The home originally sported an 80’s high gloss olive green kitchen. Now, the modern black and wood flat panel cabinets provide an earthier palette, extending into an open concept foyer and living room. Abbie was able to create a cohesive design throughout space with balance and attention to detail.

One of the unique elements of the kitchen is the chevron pattern ceiling fixture.

Created with maple filler strips from Decor material, the fixture is hung 1” lower than the ceiling. This space was then outfitted with strip lighting, which draws the eye upward when illuminated. The chevron pattern is carried into other parts of the home. Including a custom-made maple wine rack manufactured by Decor. 

Design is not without challenges.

Like most things in life, this gorgeous design did not come to fruition without some challenges. One client request was to minimize the angled wall near the fridge which leads toward the garage entrance. This awkward angle was mitigated by extending matte black cabinetry, with aluminum and glass doors, further down the wall. The result is an eye-catching display cabinet with a wood interior, perfectly masking the exposed angle. This solution forces the angled wall to take a back seat, drawing the eye to another focal point of the kitchen, the striking stone range hood. 

At Decor, we are seeing stunning range hoods take center stage in kitchens across all design styles.

In this project, the bold stone statement hood adds another natural element to the space. Side access panels to make it as practical as it is attractive. Symmetrical cabinets on either side of the range hood provide much needed balance to yet another design challenge. All the original plumbing was carried over into the new kitchen. Including the positioning of the island sink (at an uneven angle from the range hood). 

Intentional asymmetry provided visual balance.

Abbie rose to this challenge and used intentional asymmetry to make this kitchen feel harmonious. Seating is aligned to the right side of the island. A stone slab countertop (in the same material as the range hood) drops down to meet the black and gold stools at the perfect height for quick dining. Two counterbalanced black and gold light fixtures are hung above the island. This is a creative deviation from the typical island pendant placement. 

It all comes together.

Throughout the project, Abbie said she felt like an engineer, piecing the project together within delicate installation timelines. She noted that everything came together right as it should, mentioning all the Decor cabinets came on time and without a warranty claim, helping to keep this project on track. 

Despite the tests this kitchen threw at her, Abbie, with the help of her team, was able to create a gorgeous kitchen for her friend’s mom. I am sure her client felt the dedication and teamwork Casey’s poured into this project. Just as it was apparent to me only having chatted with her for a short while.  

We are happy to have recognized Abbie’s efforts with an Elite Design Award and you can contact Abbie for your kitchen by visiting caseyskitchens.com/contact. 

Follow Casey’s on social media: 
@caseyscreativekitchens 
@caseysstonedivision 

Decor Materials Used: 
V106 Maple Special Match Stain (Transparent) 
MDF800 HDF Ebony