August 21, 2018

Experience Sophisticated Kitchen at Clarke South Norwalk

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Clarke in South Norwalk continually offers designers and homeowners new reasons to visit the award-wining Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove showroom. Known as the place in Fairfield County to visit for kitchen design inspiration and valuable knowledge about the latest kitchen technology, Clarke has just unveiled a sophisticated take on fine furniture and a functional home workspace. The stunning newly remodeled space helps discerning homeowners imagine new ways to integrate a kitchen into the living area in their home.

This new kitchen is the brilliant result of a design collaboration between KLAFFS’ Nick Geragi and Annette DePaepe, CKD, CBD, ASID and Clarke Corporate Showroom Manager Marco Barallon. “Whenever we remodel a Clarke Showroom kitchen, we want the result to be a great surprise for our visitors,” said Barallon. “We want to wrap new materials and concepts around Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in ways that inspire both designers and homeowners.” In fact, the beautiful cabinets, countertops and rich finishes used in this project show off 8 different Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in a small space.

The new space artfully combines buffed, high-gloss walnut, antique mercury mirrors, brass, and antique silver metal finishes. “While not large, our design exemplifies the idea that a kitchen can be successfully integrated into the living area of any home,” said Geragi. “To do this, we chose to design the cabinetry using furniture details that defined each work center of the kitchen as a furniture piece.”

A stunning, custom-brushed brass island countertop, paired with KLAFFS Signature Series furniture and Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances create a very special space, inspiring designers and their clients to think out of the box about connecting a kitchen with the space beyond.

Exquisite Finishes and Details Make the Difference

Within each bank of cabinets, each cabinet is separated by a buffed high-gloss walnut vertical leg. The high-gloss leg was stained and then glazed using a second color and features a soft curved foot at its base. Using the glaze color found in the wood grain of the walnut legs, the cabinet doors and drawers feature a hand-painted satin brush stroke paint application. This technique was used to add texture while softening the look of the high gloss finish. At the toe space of each section a horizontal element also featuring the buffed stained walnut adds definition to the furniture concept while completing the furniture concept.

The Sub-Zero Refrigerator and Freezer, as well as built-in Wolf Coffee System and Wolf Microwave ovens are incorporated in a tall wall block. Below the coffee system a pull-out countertop is provided as a work surface, while the microwave is close at hand for reheating. The refrigerator and freezer are clad in matching panels designed to look like a furniture armoire. The face panels feature curved mullions mounted to antique mirrors with a row of what looks like four pull-out drawers below. These simulated drawer heads are adorned with a classic furniture ring pull. This hardware ring is repeated in several areas throughout the design tying the home workspace together.

“The free-standing island with its 2-1/2” thick custom brushed brass countertop is a favorite for visitors,” said Barallon. “It is totally unexpected and visually connects with everything in the space.” The island is designed and built as a chest of ten drawers similar to a low-boy side board. The chest is totally finished in the buffed high-gloss walnut finish and stands well above the floor on four vertical legs. At the base of the chest, instead of a storage shelf, the graceful heavy mullion detail, found on the face of the refrigerator and freezer, is repeated. At the intersection of these curved mullions, a diamond-shaped joining block is finished in a gun metal metallic paint.

Other furniture appointments include arched mullions and antique mercury mirrors. Both brass and antique silver metal finishes have been added as “jewelry pieces.” Using a neutral palette, each wall was first surfaced with a textured 12” x 24” stone porcelain tile installed in a brick pattern. This subtle application was specifically selected as a backdrop allowing the furniture pieces to be featured.

Tahiti Quartzite was chosen for the cook top and sink section countertops, and an effort was made to use no wall cabinets, but rather use illuminated floating shelves that provide both easy access storage of dishes and glassware, as well as display space you would find in a living room at home. All elements combine for a stunning transitional design that could be emulated in a small urban space or expanded upon in a gracious, expansive home.

You’re Invited to Be Inspired!

Both designers and homeowners are invited to stop by Clarke’s SoNo showroom to browse this new kitchen (and more than a dozen others) or make an appointment for a personal tour of the showroom and an opportunity to discuss your upcoming project.