The clients came to Nar Design Group wanting a sophisticated, restaurant-inspired feeling for their kitchen remodel. “The homeowners are a busy family with an active lifestyle and had a goal to make the home well suited for a family environment and for luxury entertaining. There were a lot of boxes to check to fit all their needs and they were very open to making it all happen,” said designer Nar Bustamante of the eponymous Sacramento, Cal.-based firm.
The designer paid close attention to the natural flow of the space, prioritizing smooth transitions between the kitchen, dining and living areas. The kitchen’s generous footprint and open layout create wide walkways that support easy movement – whether it’s energetic kids passing through or individuals using mobility aids.
“We also incorporated functional, flexible seating options throughout, designed to accommodate a range of physical abilities. These choices not only enhance comfort and accessibility but also encourage social connection by allowing everyone to gather and interact without leaving the heart of the home,” said Bustamante.
Highlights of the design include glass doors into the dining room for an elevated experience allowing sound privacy while supporting the open concept visual, a coffee bistro nook ideal for slow mornings, and a combined island-and-center table that creates space for both cooking and casual dining.
Throughout the project, geometry was a defining design element: the custom hood incorporated complex curves in multiple directions, the arched doorways softened transitions, and the turned table legs balanced clean-lined cabinetry. Together these shapes introduced depth, movement and harmony to the space.
The color and materials palette was driven by a desire for light, bright and warm spaces with moments of bold color. Dekton Rem and Uyuni created subtle elegance with durability, paired with white and warm hickory cabinetry.
Restaurant-Inspired Details
The island was designed as a multifunctional centerpiece, combining a working surface with a center table for casual dining. The turned legs bring sophistication and a restaurant-inspired feel, softening the linear lines of the cabinetry and balancing the geometry throughout the room.
Every project comes with its own set of challenges, and with this one, the range hood became a bigger design challenge than was anticipated. Bustamante said, “I created this bespoke design at the beginning of the project without realizing that its constructability would surface so many challenges. The hood looks very simple, but due to its curvature in three different directions at the bottom, it brought many complexities to the installation process. Ultimately, we were able to put our heads together to find a solution to achieve the original design intent.”
Sources
Design: Nar Bustamante, Kacie Atkinson, Nar Design Group Photography: Fred Dunham, PhotographerLink Countertops: Cosentino Dekton Cabinets: Crystal Cabinetry Cabinet Hardware: Ashley Norton, Belwith Keeler Cooktop/Range: Wolf Refrigerator: Sub-Zero Faucets: The Galley Lighting: Luke Lamp Co., Hudson Valley Lighting Paint: Dunn Edwards, Sherwin-Williams
