Baking with three small kids is not for the fainthearted. To do it, you ideally need two things: a modern kitchen you love to spend time in and organization ideas that make cooking a joy. The owners of this Dallas home sought to gain both through their remodel, which they hoped would transform their kitchen from a functional but boring cold, white space into a "wow moment in the heart of their home," says Ginger Curtis, president of Urbanology Designs. "They wanted a beautiful backdrop to their memories."
The team put the majority of the budget toward the centerpiece: a reeded lilac marble kitchen island, hand-carved to preserve its veining. They used the same marble a second time on the countertops and backsplash and, finally, on the range hood for dramatic impact. To save effort, time, and money, they opted to keep the original floors, feathering in new wood as needed and refinishing it all to match.
Another pièce de résistance is the coffee bar, "a once wasted space" that's now "loaded with storage," Curtis says. "This kitchen not only works better for our clients but improves how they live and feel on a daily basis," she points out. "It's wonderful to have a space that evokes joy every time you enter."
Range
The striking marble vent hood above the Ilve double oven range was inspired by sculptural elements of European kitchens the homeowners love. Its design "reflects an elegant, organic modern style," says Curtis. Marble: Aria Stone. Cabinet paint: Malabar by Benjamin Moore.
Island
Each reeded panel was hand-cut to reflect the natural veining of the marble.
"We added a wall of windows, which brought in amazing natural light and a jaw-dropping view," says Curtis. Pendants: Kate Spade New York for Visual Comfort & Co. Fixtures: Devol. Stools: Lostine.
Coffee Bar
A paneled refrigerator drawer stores milk and other cold drinks close at hand.
A coffee station doubles as a place to display art like the Haylee Yale piece on the counter. "Tons of storage" below also keeps supplies out of sight, Curtis says. Cabinetry: custom, MHM Living.
Urbanology designed the cabinetry to have "high levels of organization inside,” says Curtis. Oversize drawers with peg organizers hold tableware secure and at kid level.
