Signature Dish

By Lauren Wicks

Six statement-making kitchens created by the area’s top design talent showcase the future of cook spaces from big, bold design moves to delicate details that will make the heart of your home sing.

Photo courtesy of Linea Studios

Bring the outdoors in
When it came to redesigning this galley-style kitchen in Manalapan, T. Russell DeBose, Senior Kitchen Designer at Bakes & Kropp, says it was important for his team to bring “a bit of contrast, tactility, and materiality with warm colors and wood grains.” The team’s selections speak to the property’s stunning environs, inviting their textures, warmth, and natural beauty indoors while still ensuring a polished and contemporary vibe. Some of our favorite elements are the polished nickel faucet as well as the gray cerused wood and hanging light fixtures that feel right at home in our area.

The Linea Studio’s Erika Naranjo says that having expansive views in the kitchen transforms the cooking experience and helps establish “the ultimate haven for culinary inspiration.” That’s certainly the case for this expansive Fort Lauderdale cook space that not only boasts lush garden and waterfront views but top-of-the-line European appliances, statement-making countertops, and striking lighting that ensures a timeless place to cook, sip, and gather for years to come.

Give the kitchen a centerpiece treatment
Though the kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, this space can often be too focused on function to feel beautiful and inviting or so much on being a showpiece that it feels disjointed and inefficient. Here in this large, lively kitchen, designers Scott Sanders and Jim Dove put their heads together to create a cook space that is as livable as it is beautiful.

Sanders reinvigorated this kitchen by opening it up and swathing it in various shades of blue (the stunning cabinetry is bedecked in Benjamin Moore’s Blue Suede Shoes.) Dove conceptualized having two islands, one for prep and clean up, the other for socializing and admiring the stunning views. Plus, the clever layout makes it easy for guests to navigate the space to lighten the burden of the host.

Elevate a classic white kitchen
A traditional white kitchen is a timeless fixture of interior design, but Bakes & Kropp has taken this classic neutral aesthetic to new heights with thoughtful detailing, high contrast, and luxurious hardware for a cook space that is full of depth and richness. The walnut island with the firm’s signature Fossil finish is a perfect foil to the crisp, white cabinetry and pairs beautifully with the sloping metal-accented range hood. The firm also employed sumptuous counter chairs and another signature element: metal drawer caps, for functionality and elegance.

“The careful integration of texture, material contrast, and functional hardware is what truly brought this space to life, making it feel elevated without losing its traditional charm,” says DeBose.

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Go all-in on the details
This elegant kitchen designed by Jim Dove resides in a historically inspired Wellington residence, and he felt it was paramount to showcase its architectural prominence throughout. After selecting a range and hood from Viking’s Designer Series, Dove knew these pieces would become a linchpin of the design and found a matching paint color (Sherwin Williams’ Peppercorn) for the kitchen cabinetry. He also employed the same metal banding technique on the sides of both islands for a seamless look.

One of the more brilliant details is the selection of loveseat-style counter stools to ensure more comfort and streamlined design. Although this kitchen is all about clean lines, it is equally full of warmth and depth that honor the home’s surroundings, from the original brick floors to the ambient lighting above both islands.

Blend the best of old and new
This cook space in a notable Palm Beach estate was ushered into the 21st century by Bakes & Kropp without losing its storied prominence. Part of preserving the integrity of the kitchen’s architecture meant reorienting the layout to maximize the stellar views that DeBose says are an essential aspect of this historic home while establishing a new layout that was better suited for modern living.

Integrated appliances and hidden storage solutions ensure the owners can enjoy the sleekness of an updated cook space, though we are smitten with the show-stopping china cabinet that is a clever yet appropriate addition to the space. DeBose said his team selected materials such as solid brass, hand-finished hardware, and custom tilework to layer the kitchen with a timeless sense of refinement and craftsmanship to offer the best of old world luxury and new world conveniences.

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