The design team at Medium Plenty created this moody and modern kitchen as part of an aesthetic antidote to the existing house – what they describe as “a bad Mediterranean-style home” that was built after the 1991 wildfires that decimated many residences in the hills of Oakland, Calif.
The interior of the house had been chopped up with multiple staircases and oddly shaped rooms, so the design intent was to unify the interior and open up the main spaces to the view, while also creating a family-friendly and entertainment-forward home.
“The clients were not afraid of color and while our designs tend more toward a muted palette, we really enjoyed playing with richer, bolder, textured material palettes,” said the designers, who have studios in Oakland and Sonoma. The result is a lovely jewel-toned dining/living/kitchen filled with atmospheric colors and textures.
Some cabinets are painted a deep blue, in a quiet contrast with other units that are stained oak.
While most of the appliances in the 14 x 17 kitchen keep a low profile, the electric AGA range is an eye-catcher. A little bit retro, it gently challenges the ambiance of the space.
Upstairs, the primary bath features lots of layers of white and warmth. Skylights and arch-top windows brighten the high-ceilinged room, which is finished in plaster – a nod to the Mediterranean origins of the home. Placed under a skylight, a freestanding tub is open to a simple yet striking shower; the two fixtures are set in a sun-lit alcove that’s lined with a tactile mix of small tiles and stone slabs. A recessed trough runs behind the vanity, concealing frequently-used items while keeping them within reach.
—By Leslie Clagett, KBB managing editor
