Greenwood Village Kitchen

This new home in Greenwood Village belongs to one of the nicest families I've ever met.  This kitchen is a true reflection of their style.  It is warm and inviting, but feels elegant and sophisticated at the same time.  When I first met them in 2012, they had yet to break ground on this house. Here are a few of the highlights in this kitchen:

• Originally, the sink was in the southeast corner of the kitchen.  It was in an area that I felt would become a choke point, especially for a family of 5.  I moved the sink to the East wall and added an arched window that was not previously there.

  

• The North wall of the kitchen (which is the wall with all the brick) was really lacking any balance.  I moved the 48" dual fuel Thermador range onto that wall and then flanked it with symmetrical cabinetry.  All of the top boxes are individually lit with LED puck lights.

• I contrasted the white perimeter cabinetry with a black paint rub-through finish on the island.  The implied weight of the finish provides a visual anchor for the kitchen.

• Lots of fantastic storage inserts...

  

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Pressure Balance vs. Thermostatic Valves

"What is the difference between a thermostatic valve and a pressure balance valve?" I get this question pretty often.  In fact, I get this question so often that I am writing a post about it.  You'll most likely be given the choice of one of these types of valves when you plan your new shower or tub.  Here are the basics:

Pressure Balance Valves (PB)

A pressure balance valve has a single control that regulates the ratio of hot to cold water that flows out of the fixture.  There is no true volume control with a PB valve.  When the valve is turned on, 100% water volume passes through.  The more the valve is opened, the hotter the temperature gets.  Pressure balance valves have a maximum temperature limit that is set at the time of installation, which provides scald protection for families with children.  The most common scenario that people think about is how the shower reacts when a toilet is flushed.  The tank of the toilet will need more cold water to refill after the flush, so there will be less cold water for the shower.  In this scenario, the PB valve automatically reduces the amount of hot water as it senses this.  The pressure remains constant and so does the temperature.

Thermostatic Valves (TS)

Thermostatic Valves have two control valves.  One controls the pressure and one controls the temperature.  TS valves also provide maximum temperature limits that provide scald protection.  These valves allow the user to set the temperature completely independent of the volume.  It makes it easy to find the correct temperature every time.  Thermostatic valves also allow the user to control the volume, so if you're interested in having a very hot temperature water at low volume, you can do that.  PB valves do not have that capability.

Which is best for you?

For the most part, thermostatic trims are more pleasing to look at than pressure balance trims, and you'll find that thermostatic valves are used almost exclusively in luxury showers.  However, pressure balance valves are much lower in cost (sometimes less than half a comparable thermostatic)  Both of these types of valves will last a long time provided you purchase a quality brand that stands behind their product.  Personally, I prefer thermostatic valves: they look better and have a better functionality.

Here are a few thermostatic trim packages I really like:

Transitional White Kitchen - Greenwood Village

This is a snapshot of a kitchen I just finished in Greenwood Village.  The perimeter cabinetry is matte white; the island cabinetry is what's called a "rub-through black". The owners wanted to incorporate brick into the kitchen to tie into the 20' fireplace in the great room which opens up off of the island.  A thin brick veneer was applied to the back of the range wall.  The herringbone inlay behind the range adds character to the detail.  The arched window is something I added into the architectural plans before the house had even been approved for construction.   (originally, the sink was in a corner and the range was off center sort of pushed off into a corner - terrible!)  Anyway, we fixed the layout early enough in the process.  The island has comfortable seating for this family of five and there is a buffet area that connects the kitchen to the breakfast nook (not shown in picture).  Integrated appliances by Thermador.  Countertops are polished white carrara marble.

My photographer will take photos of this project in February.

New Kitchen and Bath Projects Fall 2013

The first snow of the year is predicted to fall this weekend.  It's only the first week of October, but after living in Colorado for almost 5 years now, it's not surprising that we will have snowy weather on Friday and sunny 70 degree weather on Sunday.  Go figure. I'm pleased to announce that I have recently been retained to work on four new projects.

A master bathroom remodel in Cherry Creek North:  We're going for a sleek transitional look.  I am specifying large format porcelain tile (18 x 36) for the flooring and a wainscot tile that is 12 x 24.  I'll tie everything together with and carrara accents, and then add some interest with vibrant colors on the walls.   The new frameless European shower will be a vast improvement.

Just up the street from the master bathroom remodel is a house owned by a couple with a young child.  It's a wonderful old house that has a newer addition on the back of it.  Problem is that the new part of the house does not tie into the old part.  There are several areas I am working on in this project including, the master suite, kitchen, great room, mudroom, entry way, and flooring.  The homeowners are very involved with the process and are excited about bringing this wonderful house together into one cohesive home.

You may have seen pictures on this blog of a classic home restoration project that I completed about a year ago...That homeowner referred me to his neighbor just down the street, and we are now currently in the design phase on her master bathroom.  Her home is very traditional, with clean lines.  I plan to give her a new bathroom that is really beautiful - but most importantly, it is going to feel like it belongs in the house.

I was also hired on to a kitchen remodel project up in Boulder.  Fortunately, this couple avoided any major flood damage - many of their neighbors are still recovering.  We're going to update their kitchen to something totally sleek and modern.  High gloss lacquer, white glass, textured laminates and quartz counters are going to make this space really POP.

We are also finishing up installation of new construction in Greenwood Village.  That project should be complete by Thanksgiving.

I will report back with pictures soon!

Bathroom Project Featured in 5280 Home Magazine June 2013 Issue

A bathroom project that I finished about a year ago is featured in this month's 5280 Home Magazine. Here is a link to the article:  TotalTranquility_June2013_5280Home

Historical Remodel in Cheesman Park

My client has painstakingly restored this beautiful Denver Square over the past three years.  I was fortunate enough to work with him on the kitchen and three bathrooms in this residence.  We carefully planned each space to have its own unique character.  I respected the history of the home as much as possible throughout the design phase.  We saved items from each room and integrated them into the new design so that our new kitchen and baths had a similar feel to the rest of the home. Photography by Teri Fotheringham.

The Kitchen

Exposed brick walls in the kitchen thoughtfully contrast the stainless steel range and pro hood.  It's the classic, "Old and New", theme that I like so much.  Also in the kitchen, original leaded glass panes of glass were preserved from the original cabinetry and integrated into the new cabinetry.  I literally designed the kitchen around these glass panes.  We removed a large load bearing wall and replaced it with a 20' long steel beam to gain some much added space.  The client desperately wanted an island - any island - in his kitchen.  I designed a small functional island with a lot of storage in the middle of the kitchen and it even has space for two small bar stools...

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The Bathrooms

We gutted all three bathrooms in the home, and all three now have their own unique feel and charm.  The powder room is simple and sophisticated.   A white porcelain vessel sink sits atop a piece of granite.  The wall mounted bridge faucet adds interest.  A tin ceiling, adds a bit of drama to the space.

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The Master Bathroom again utilizes an exposed brick wall.  Interestingly enough, the brick wall was not part of the original design.  It was covered in plaster and we had no idea it would look so stunning when we took the plaster down.  However, after seeing the space with the brick exposed, it was a no brainer to just restore the brick and leave it as a statement wall in the bathroom.  All the surfaces are custom concrete forms that I designed myself.  An integrated planter tray, with its own drainage system is actually the same piece of concrete as the shower bench.  A piece of frameless shower glass separates shower bench from planter.

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The upstairs hall bathroom was a different style all together.  The owner wanted to provide a very sophisticated, clean, white space for his guests to use.  To capture that dynamic, I utilized an antique white penny round flooring tile, and sourced a very simple white pedestal sink and free standing tub.  The waincot paneling, which I also designed, has white glass center panels.  The mixture of glass and wood updates the space and gives it a glamorous feel.

Installation of Beautiful Stonewood Granite

Stonewood Granite is pretty cool stuff.  

I'd never seen it before about two months ago.  We found this slab at The Stone Collection in Denver.  This picture is from a project in Observatory Park, Denver.  The granite was installed on Tuesday....It's really striking when you see it up close.  Of course, we'll get some pro shots of the finished project when it is complete.

Transitional Bathroom Remodel - Bonnie Brae Neighborhood Denver

I always say that I strive above all else to keep the clients' vision at the heart of my design.  It's a real sticking point for me.  Honor that vision from start to finish.  The first time I met these clients, they communicated to me how much they love the look of marble.  They also wanted a space that was "transitional" in style.  The new bathroom needed to be modern, yet also feel warm and inviting.  The design of this bathroom begins and ends with a focus on the white carrara marble that was used not only pervasively in the shower, but also for the entire floor of the bathroom.  Large 12 x 24 flooring tiles lay atop a radiant heat pad that covers all areas that are accessible by foot.  Walking on this floor makes your feet happy :)

The free standing tub was built for us in Georgia and the tub filler was sourced from Portugal.  Other details about this bathroom - limestone tile used on the wall behind the vanities creates a sense of drama.  The wall mounted faucets are a perfect compliment to the style of the bath, and provide for very easy counter wipe downs.  I utilized a 3" thick Quartz countertop in this space.  More carrara on the tops would have been just too much, so I found something that played off the shape and color of the tub.  The overall feel is an inviting space that is luxurious, elegant, modern, and calming.

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Dramatic Kitchen Shines in this Mountain Retreat

Every once in a while, a project comes along that is really special.  Now, that's not to take away anything from any of my other remodels or new construction projects - but sometimes you are lucky enough to be part of a project in which all of the involved parties have an unquenchable thirst to build something that pushes our creative boundaries in the quest to provide a truly unique space.  This house, this kitchen is definitely one of these spaces, and it shows through in every room of the house.  I was hired by the interior designer on this project to provide the cabinetry design for this kitchen.  We started from scratch and built something that we had never done before.  I'm quite proud of the result. You'll notice that all of the cabinetry has a reflective surface in the door.  I had to work with our cabinet shop to create a new door that would accept both a bronze glass panel and a cherry veneer panel in the door.  It wasn't easy but we figured it out and the end result is beautiful!  The Sub Zero housing is encased in a floor to ceiling column that is cladded in a natural stone.  The housing itself had to be completely re-thought from our standard because of the door swings on the refrigerator, hence the 135 degree angles on the pilasters that anchor either end of the housing.  Above the fridge, we placed a piece of Lumix Quartz (same as countertops).  The result is a piece that mimics a work of art instead of an appliance.

If you are interested in working with any of the other professionals associated with this project (interior designer, architect, builder), please get in touch with me.

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Cherry Creek Loft - European Styled Kitchen and Bath

The Kitchen

I think that when most of us think of "modern" style, we tend to associate it with very cold spaces that are fun to look at, but seem fairly sterile and cold.  Contrarily, this space is definitely modern, but also feels warm.  I accomplished this feat by pairing high gloss custom color laminate wall cabinetry against a matte finish, dark cabinet below.  The dark cabinetry is actually a rift cut gray oak veneer with a custom stain on it.  Luxury appliances by Sub Zero and Wolf allow this sleek kitchen to perform at a very high level as a chef's preparation area.  I designed a custom cabinet to house a dishwasher about 12" off of the floor.  This higher placement makes using the appliance much easier.  The end result is a space that doubles as both a wonderful cooking haven and a entertaining space.

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The Master Bathroom

The master retreat - as I like to call it - is just that: a retreat from the stresses of daily life.  It's a very calming room when you step into it.  Subtle colors on cabinetry, tile, and countertops are a nice compliment to the cool blue metallic paint used on the walls.  A very nice place to start your day...or end it.

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12' Solid Wood Island Countertop Anchors this Kitchen

This spectacular island countertop is solid cherry wood. It measures 2-1/2" thick x 140" length x 45" width.

There are several radius details along with arcs on both ends and custom cutout for the 36" gas rangetop and integrated downdraft.  Needless to say, I spent a lot of time designing this piece and spent more than a few restless nights worrying about the details of installation and integration to the island.  Fortunately, our shop did a fantastic job creating the top and it turned out stunning.

But enough about the island countertop.

The design of this kitchen evolved over time.  We began with a standard galley kitchen and decided to open up the kitchen into the main living room, which ended up being a great idea.  There is more than enough room for two chefs to work simultaneously here and not bump into each other.  The Sub Zero armoire is 9' tall and mirrors the height of the tall pantry / microwave cabinet on the opposite side of the room.[gallery columns="2" type="rectangular" ids="669,670,671,672"]

European Styling in the Heart of Cherry Creek

I knew this kitchen would turn out wonderful when I first met the client.  She was open to exploring the options available in new materials and was more than willing to "go that extra step" with the design that took it from great to amazing.  The tall and upper cabinetry is a high gloss gray laminate and the base cabinetry is a composite rift cut white oak veneer with a custom stain on it.  This was a difficult kitchen to plan for, as we had to order the cabinetry from two different manufacturers, yet make it look seamless.  I think we accomplished this feat to perfection. These photos were taken by yours truly so the quality isn't fantastic.  We plan to professionally shoot this project in about a month though, so I'll post those photos as soon as they're available!

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Cooking appliances:  Wolf induction cooktop, island hood, and oven/microwave.  Sub Zero refrigeration.  All integrated and all very sleek.  We raised the dishwasher in a custom cabinet to elevate it 12" higher than normal.  It is very easy to get into and out of.  That sort of configuration is not always doable and is based on the space available to us.  In this case, it worked perfectly - so why not??

The perimeter stone is quartz and the island is honed granite.  Stainless steel upstands and back-painted glass doors also add to the character.

Clean Traditional White Kitchen

These young clients preferred a throwback to traditional style when they decided to purchase and remodel an East Wash Park Bungalow.  From the very beginning, these clients were open to all sorts of ideas.  We eventually settled on a white kitchen with contrasting blue island.  The lighter colored flooring, neutral backslash, and carrera marble countertops all contribute to a very open and light feel.  Casual and refined; perfect for this growing family of four to eat dinners together or entertain guests. I teamed up with designer Megan Kane and the result is beautiful and functional.  Appliances are by Thermador: Integrated refrigeration and freezer columns, a 36" range, and built in microwave.  The bar area (not pictured) includes an ice maker and under counter beverage center.

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A Traditional Kitchen Remodel

The clients, in Centennial Colorado, were interested in garnering more prep space on the countertops, updating their look, and most importantly increasing the functionality of their kitchen.  It's a difficult space!  With multiple openings, and only one true wall to work against, it was definitely a challenge coming up with a design that would satisfy all of their needs.

The old kitchen was white, builder grade.  The induction cooktop was located on the island, and their previous peninsula, to the right of the sink was desk height and awkward.  There was a serious lack of preparation space.  By stealing space from a pantry and walkway into garage, we were able to add seating for 4 people comfortably, take the cooktop off of the island, and add much needed counterspace to the back wall.  One of the biggest structural changes we made was removing a stand alone coat closet in the middle of the house.  You can see the difference it makes in the before/after pictures below.

The backsplash tile is a 3 x 6" polished limestone that we found at Decorative Materials in the Denver Design Center.  I wrote about this tile here, and it ended up being the perfect compliment to the Typhoon Bordeaux granite.

The true star of the kitchen is the 2-1/2" thick butcher block top.  It's a combination of walnut and maple, end grain.  This top was painstakingly created in Pennsylvania and shipped to Colorado, where it sits atop a mobile island.  Yes, the island is movable.  We sourced low profile casters and installed them on the bottom of each island post.  The result is a space that is truly multi-functional and very friendly for two cooks.

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Crown Moulding Sketch

Here's a sketch of a crown moulding detail in a project I am working on.  This particular moulding has three steps to it.  The top rail of the cabinetry is extended to 6" total height, leaving 4.5" to apply S4S...Through application of three pieces of square edged moulding we are able to produce a four step crown. Best part about this detail is the stainless steel banding that we are adding to the whole moulding stack.  A piece of stainless steel, 1/8" thickness will be added after the mouldings are installed to give an added dimension to the cabinetry.

Classic White Kitchen - Observatory Park, Denver

Believe it or not, I started working with this client in the summer of 2011, and today is March 27, 2012 - which means I've waited a long time to see this project come together - I think it's going to be worth the wait. This is new construction in the Observatory Park neighborhood of Denver.  The house would feel right at home in any cozy New England town (New Canaan?) , so we took great care to make sure the kitchen and other rooms (we are installing cabinetry in 11 rooms in this home) had the feel of an updated colonial classic that would fit right into any New England colonial.  The pure white paint in the kitchen makes the space really light and airy.  The floors will eventually be stained dark, so there will be a very dramatic contrast there between floor and cabinet.  This classic kitchen will really be fantastic when complete...

Here are a few installation pics of the kitchen.  I'll update when I have some better finished pictures.

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Classic Kitchen Design

This project recently completed in the East Washington Park neighborhood of Denver.  The home was conceived and constructed by one of Denver's most highly regarded build/design firms.  Attention to detail is apparent throughout the home and the overall affect is sophisticated and comfortable.

I'm not sure what label our design/build firm would give to this design, but I think of it as a classic kitchen.  Off white cabinetry on the perimeter is contrasted with a dark stain and glaze on the island.  This type of color combination has become quite popular in newer homes and recent remodels.  The cabinetry is all inset and features an applied moulding and raised drawer heads.

The addition of a prep sink under the left hand side window makes this kitchen very user friendly for a two cook family.  The main sink is on the island, centrally located in the kitchen.  There is generous seating for 4 or 5 at the island, and the Butler's Pantry is a great place for staging food and provides a lot of additional storage.

The flooring provides a really nice contrast to the cabinets and granite.  It is rustic walnut wide plank.  The granite is called Alaskan White I believe.  Greenfield Cabinetry (Indianapolis, IN) is the cabinet shop I used to provide the inset cabinetry.

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Sinks for Cool People

Ever feel like every time you visit a showroom, there is something new you've never seen before?  The task of choosing your fixtures and fittings for the bath can become an overwhelming chore when faced with the ever growing number of design choices available.  Sinks, maybe moreso than any other product, are constantly evolving.  They are now created with every water impermeable substance that you can think of - ranging from bronze to wood.  A myriad of shapes and installation options are also available.  Wall mount, deck mount, vessel, semi undermount, undermount, self standing....the list goes on and on.

Small guest baths are a great place to make a statement.  Specifying a really great vessel or lav can make the space "pop".  Whereas most guests won't see your master bathroom, almost all of them will visit your guest bathroom at least once during a visit.  Find a unique look for your bath and then focus the rest of the design around that piece.  Spend your money on the pieces guests will use most - the lav.

Here are a few samples of new designs and some companies you may not have heard of previously.  I am  personal fan of Alape sinks.  German engineered with glazed steel construction.  Almost indestructible.  Available in custom colors.  Worth every penny.

Manufacturer: Diamond Spas

Material: Stainless Steel

Manufacturer: Sonia

Material: White Ceramic

Name: Basin P50

Manufacturer: Alape

Material: Glazed steel, inside and out

Name: HB.R

Manufacturer: Alape

Material: Glazed steel, inside and out

Name: WT.RS

Manufacturer: Kohler

Material: Bronze

Name: Katagami

Manufacturer: Franke USA

Material: Stainless Steel

Name: PRX720CS

Manufacturer: Elkay

Material: Stainless Steel

Name: Avado Sink Package | EFT402211C

Manhattan Loft: The Perfect Example of Modern Multi-Use Space

When these clients came to me, I was still working as a finish carpenter on custom kitchens in Connecticut.  They had an amazing loft in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York, but there was a corner of the apartment that really needed an upgrade. It's a laundry room, a desk, a storage area, and a lounge area - All in about 150 square feet.  You say it's impossible to squeeze all that functionality into a sleek, user-friendly space?  I guess you have to see it to believe it, and I've got the pictures to prove it.

Element 1: Laundry.  We unstacked the washer and dryer and placed them side by side.  I wrapped the units in an extra-high custom unit that has pocket doors, which can be opened and stored under the counter when not in use.   We added an 18" undermount stainless steel sink to the left and topped the entire unit with absolute black granite, honed.

Element 2: Desk.  The sturdy 2" thick desktop is solid walnut, custom built for this project.  The metal leg is also a custom piece, fabricated by a metal shop in Queens.

Element 3: Lounge.  Maybe the most complicated part of this project was figuring out how to create a built-in day bed with storage drawers underneath.  We fabricated a face frame for the front of the bed at the shop.  The rest was built on site by myself.  Solid walnut drawer fronts span the entire front of the cabinet.  The drawers provide ample storage underneath the bed.

Element 4: Storage.   Dramatic 9' tall solid walnut doors are hung using "invisible" Soss hinges.  The drywall serves as our casing, providing a very clean vertical element in the space.  Tons of storage inside.  The wall cabinet doors all hinge upward and have pneumatic gas lid stays.

Special thanks to Mark and Danny for helping me hang those wall cabinets!

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