Warm Contemporary in Armonk
The homeowners wanted a sleek, contemporary kitchen that didn't feel cold, and still worked with the style of their classic, red brick colonial home. The design team, consisting of Bilotta senior designer, RitaLuisa Garcés and Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs, opted for the warmth of traditional walnut cabinetry done in an exaggerated shaker style with ultra-thin stiles and rails and light textured laminate cabinets with distinct horizontal graining. The cabinetry they selected is Bilotta’s contemporary Artcraft line – European style cabinets manufactured in Canada. This combination of colors and textures helped solve another design issue: a long narrow space that opened directly into the family room. Cabinet colors and finishes helped to create the illusion of width in the space by situating the light cabinetry in an “L” across the rear wall and window wall of the space and “bookending” it with the full height walnut units that read more as paneling than cabinetry when viewed from the adjoining family room. The large simple island outfitted with Donghia counter stools, allows for an uninterrupted work space, storage of tabletop items, and also houses a “snack zone” for the client’s children with cabinetry and roll-outs for snacks, a microwave, and a beverage center all within easy reach, but outside of the main work area.
The custom stainless steel exhaust hood and handcrafted tile backsplash also add subtle visual interest to the space, reinforcing the idea that the back walls of the kitchen recede into the background creating the illusion of more space.
The centerpiece of the breakfast room is the multi light, hand blown chandelier from Niche Modern hanging above a blue lacquered breakfast table with stainless steel detailing and vintage Saarinen dining chairs. Together the components create a comfortable spot to dine, or just hang out.
Designers: RitaLuisa Garcés in collaboration with Billy Ceglia of Billy Ceglia Designs; Photo Credit: Peter Krupenye