April, 2010

by Christina Cain Photography by Jim K. Decker            Luxury Las Vegas

Heart of Homes Generate Three Points of View

Whether it’s a Sunday brunch or an elegant cocktail party, somehow friends and family always end up in the kitchen. This reminds us that kitchens are much more than simply a place to prepare food. They are a major focal point in our homes and provide the backdrop for many of our most cherished memories.

That’s why kitchen design reaches far beyond being a utilitarian food preparation area with the latest and greatest gadgets. We endeavored to profile three Las Vegas “dream” kitchens, each with high quality features that reflect the personalities and individual spirits of their owners.

CONTEMPORARY BY NATURE
Walking into Linda and Bill Smith’s kitchen, guests cannot help but become immediately aware of the keen attention paid to detail—even the light switches have been painted to match the kitchen’s hand-blown glass tiles. It is a contemporary space layered with natural features that invite the outdoors in.

A former restaurant manager who spent years cooking with her grandmother and aunt back east, Linda explained that her favorite recipes are inspired by her Italian heritage. On occasion, she even makes her own pastas from scratch. Knowing this, you might think Linda would have asked designer Leslie Parraguirre of Colours, Inc., to create an old-world style kitchen. Instead, Linda explained that she and Bill were looking for something more organic to achieve the indoor-outdoor concept to which they aspired.

Stone and wood are combined in the kitchen as effortlessly as they are in nature. The center island is tobacco travertine finished with triple lamb chiseled edges. Picking up on the colors in the stone, the Smiths made use of light and dark woods for their cabinetry by combining the use of African Wenge and Ribbon teak.

Linda went on to explain that while the couple didn’t purposely seek to create a “green” kitchen, they did use reclaimed barn oak for their floor. The wood has already been weathered by use and adds further texture to a room replete with natural aspects. The kitchen completes its use of natural elements by opening up to look out on their pool and the open sky beyond the kitchen.

Built by Wright Custom Homes during 2006 and 2007, the house was designed by Pinnacle Architects and the kitchen was a group project using both Colours, Inc., and the cabinetry company Ébéniste. Of course, the kitchen features all of the high-end must-haves, such as a pot filler by the stove, three dishwashers and double ovens.

Linda offers two tips to those building their own home or remodeling their kitchens: make sure to research the appliances and employ the skills of a top tier interior designer to bring it all together. She notes that you will be living and entertaining in your home and want a space that not only looks great, but is functional

STAINLESS PRECISION
Homeowner Jonathan Meyers agrees that appliances can make or a break a kitchen. That’s why when he started work on his ultra-modern kitchen, he went all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, to inspect his Capital cooking range.

Meyers explained that he even watched the manufacturing process before deciding on the purchase and noted his kitchen is “not for show.” He too has a pot filler by the stove and the range includes a wok burner. Although, if he had the chance to do it again, Meyers noted he would add a side drain by the stove near the pot filler.

Meyers and local designer Alice Roussos of Interior Motives worked together to maximize the use of space and create a seamless look. With the help of Ébéniste they created stainless steel custom cabinets and bays that Meyers calls “airplane hangers” to keep countertop appliances out of sight. Even the electrical plugs are built into the counter and pop up only when you need them.

After working in semi-conductors for years, it was important for Meyers to keep a clean workspace where precision and order dominate. The sleek stainless steel is counter balanced by two sources of natural light and a dynamic view of the mountains. The light also plays off the amazing stainless steel tile backsplash. The only downside to the abundance of light is the need to keep the kitchen a spotless sanctuary.

Finished in 2008, the high-tech features of the kitchen include a built-in vacuum outlet for sweeping crumbs and fallen nibbles, a second dishwasher, and a panel on the wall that allows Meyers to pipe music through the kitchen while he cooks. Meyers is a real hands-on cook and has more than three shelves full of cookbooks offering him constant inspiration

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