After living a few years with standard-issue developer finishes, a couple who had downsized to a 13th-floor condominium in a Dallas high-rise contacted Kitchen Design Concepts to better align the home with their taste and interest in smart home innovations. The homeowners had already worked with the remodeler on a smaller coffee bar cabinetry project and turned to the team once again to update their open-plan kitchen and living space.
The challenge for residential designer, Lane Taylor, who led the larger project, was to marry the latest in technology with the couple’s furniture, which leaned toward traditional antiques and eclectic pieces.
“They were interested in a sleek, layered and luxurious space that would feel curated but comfortable, warm without being traditional and modern without being cold,” she said.
Atmospheric Updates
To create the ideal environment, Taylor leveraged the husband’s interest in utilizing a smart home system to integrate lighting, climate control and entertainment. Working with an electrician, the installation of the system’s components was simple, and decisions were made around which elements would best support the clients’ goals.
Layered LED lighting was included throughout the cabinetry – underneath, inside and at the toe kick, as well as the back of the island. With all lighting on dimmers, the homeowners can control the mood by adjusting it from their phones or taking advantage of preset options.
While Taylor drove the lighting plan, the homeowners led the push for total climate control. In addition to having command of temperature and humidity, the husband wanted to include a home fragrance, which was a new request for Taylor, but would add to the atmosphere.
Another focus of the renovation was enhancing the TV wall, which is visible from the open-concept kitchen, to bring it up to par with the panoramic view of the city offered by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Taylor created a bold focal point with iron ore wall panels, gold accents and a cabinet to match the kitchen cabinetry. She hid AV equipment in the cabinet and added lighting underneath to subtly illuminate the floor. Again, everything can be controlled remotely.
Appliance Innovation
Smart and savvy reigned in the choice of kitchen appliances as well. The refrigerator, induction cooktop and steam oven are all Wi-Fi enabled and can be monitored remotely using the appliance brands’ apps. The steam oven features guided cooking controls and sensors, while the induction cooktop recognizes a pan anywhere on its surface to heat that area.
“These are pieces that look good and have integrated technologies to elevate how the kitchen is used on a daily basis,” said Taylor.
Appliance choices were a combination of the designer suggesting some of her favorites, like the steam oven, and recommendations from a personal chef who also sells appliances and introduced her to some new options.
To keep the design and surfaces streamlined, outlets were included underneath the countertops, including on the island, rather than using traditional or pop-up outlets. Taylor also included a charging station in one of the drawers and outlets under the cabinets on the main wall.
With the growing popularity of smart home integration, designers are challenged to stay at the forefront of new technologies, even when clients ask for something unfamiliar – in this case, the home fragrance.
“You just have to do the research to find out what is best and what’s possible,” said Taylor. “Having great tech partners can help, too.”
Sources
Designer: Lane Taylor, Residential Designer, Kitchen Design Concepts Photographer: Michael Hunter Backsplash & Countertop: Nautilo Bar Stools: Rove Concepts Cabinet Hardware: Modern Matter & Top Knobs Cabinets: QCCI (Quality Custom Cabinetry) Climate Control: Aroma Cooktop: Thermador Dishwasher: Miele Faucet: Dornbracht Hood: Custom by SealTex Metals Lighting: NUR Refrigerators: Sub-Zero Sink: The Galley Steam Oven: Wolf
