Today we continue our focus on the extraordinary kitchens that won first and second place in Clarke’s 2020 Kitchen Design Contest. Our spotlight now turns to the first and second place winners for Transitional kitchens featuring Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove and ASKO appliances. Boston’s Venegas and Company swept the category with two designers offering unique answers to the question, “What is transitional design?” We hope you are as inspired by these kitchens as we are and we encourage you to reach out to these world-class designers with any questions you may have about these projects or your own.
First Place Winner – Transitional Kitchen: Michele Kelly – Venegas and Company
Michele Kelly set out to create a functional, intuitive layout to promote family cooking for this lovely Massachusetts home. As someone who regularly cooked at home, this homeowner needed the flexibility of multiple cooking appliances and lots of refrigerator and freezer storage to accommodate not only everyday family cooking, but also frequent entertaining. Multiple zones were established for cooking, baking and clean-up so that everyone could be involved in daily routines. A table-height counter was connected to the kitchen island to keep family engaged during breakfast and while doing homework.
A Sub-Zero Column refrigerator and freezer were chosen to create symmetry around the Wolf Induction Cooktop and to provide ample fresh and frozen food storage. Side-by-side Wolf Wall Ovens complete the appliance-packed wall. To build a palette complex enough to pay homage to the family’s artwork, Michele started with wood cabinetry that has a soft, matte finish and complements the wood flooring throughout. Layers were then added with warm grey paint, blueish gray quartzite, brass with a striated antique finish and dark contrasts in the wood tabletop and chairs. A harmonious blend of materials makes this highly utilitarian kitchen feel serene and cozy.
Contact Michele Kelly at Venegas and Company:
michele@venegasandcompany.com
Second Place Winner – Transitional Kitchen: Donna Venegas – Venegas and Company
If you ever wondered what a designer creates for her own kitchen, this winner is the answer. Venegas and Company owner, Donna Venegas, and her husband were downsizing and purchased a 2,000-square-foot townhome in the city. When she walked into the space, she immediately knew she had to open it up to allow light from the south-facing patio doors to stream in. They wanted this first floor to accommodate Donna’s home office, a living room, dining area, a bar with wine storage for entertaining and a kitchen with easy access to the back patio for year-round grilling.
Donna had many challenges as she strategically designed her 17’ x 50’ footprint. She wanted a chef’s kitchen, yet the condominium documents restricted venting to the outside and there was a dividing wall in the space that she wanted to remove. In fact, the wall came down, as well as two over-sized closets, which allowed her to add a 12-foot run to act as an appliance center. She chose the Wolf Contemporary gas cooktop and she clad the front panel with a patina brass and selected stainless steel knobs for a more subtle look. She also recessed the cooktop so that it is flush with the quartzite counters. She chose a Best custom recirculating vent insert, which she concealed with striated brass panels. Diamond patterned metallic tile washes the walls. A Wolf Convection Microwave and 30” Wall Oven give her options. Her Sub-Zero column refrigerator and freezer are also perfectly paneled and concealed and she included one of her favorite appliances: Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers. In her bar area, she included a Sub-Zero undercounter wine storage and beverage center.
Now that the space has been tested with cooking, entertaining and working, Donna reports that her client is just as pleased as the designer is with the final result.
Contact Donna Venegas at Venegas and Company:
donna@venegasandcompany.com
What captured the judges imaginations?
The judges felt these designers “reinvented a style” with the marriage of modern and traditional design elements that worked in perfect harmony with small, stunning details.
If you would like to explore the world’s finest appliances, a visit to Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove Showroom, will offer you a unique opportunity to explore full-scale kitchens, talk to experts and actually cook on the appliances to help you make your selections before buying.