Design on Display

Timeless design details in a kitchen by MORGAN CREEK CABINETRY marry the best of classic and contemporary

There’s a delicate balance when trying to create spaces with contemporary elements while retaining warmth and soul. If the needle moves too far in one direction, the room can feel cold or stark. But at the most recent Luxury Living Show at Phipps Plaza, Acworth-based Morgan Creek Cabinetry created a stylish kitchen that artfully melded classic characteristics with a pared-down approach in keeping with today’s less-is-more lifestyles.

“Our inspiration for the design was to be clean, simple and straightforward,” says Ryan DeCesaro, owner and longtime designer at Morgan Creek Cabinetry. “We took more traditional elements and brought them into modern times.” A straightforward approach didn’t mean sacrificing style; in fact, myriad design details are interspersed throughout the space.

“We started with the island, which creates a striking impression,” says DeCesaro of one of the room’s key focal points. A history of furniture-making is part of Morgan Creek’s 35-plus-year history, and the English brown oak base is a nod to those time-honored traditions. With a clear varnish, the finish mimics wood in its raw state. The repetition of deep undercounter drawers and custom hardware adds a graphic sensibility. The drawers also allow for more storage, which DeCesaro says clients are requesting.

Brass accents appear again on upper and lower cabinets that are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Black Pepper, as well as on the kitchen faucet. The contrast between the wood and painted finishes creates a striking, eye-catching combination that’s decidedly 21st century.

“There’s not one thing that overpowers the other,” says DeCesaro of the room’s details. “They all complement each other.”

Cabinetry and Design Morgan Creek Cabinetry Appliances Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Installation Beautiful Installations Stone on Countertops, around Cabinets and Backsplash Cambria, fabricated by A Touch of Stone, Inc. Sink Elkay Faucetry Waterstone through PDI

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A luxe bath by BELL CABINETRY & DESIGN is the ultimate sybaritic escape

For the vanity and storage units of the bathroom, designed by Emily McMillan of Bell Cabinetry & Design, plain sawn white oak was treated with a custom natural wood finish to elevate the sleek lines of the modern design.

Placed on a base with legs, the custom vanity takes on the appearance of a furniture console and is topped with a Unique Calacatta countertop by Compac. A mix of frameless and inset cabinetry styles add further interest. “I wanted to add detail and molding to push the limits of modern style,” says McMillan.

The freestanding Grant tub from Hydro Systems’ Metro Collection features soft curves and graceful lines. Behind it, large format porcelain slabs by the Italian manufacturer Florim provide a dynamic backdrop. “It really coordinated well with the finish of the wood,” says McMillan.

And for a bit of glamour, brass faucets and sconces add just the right amount of sparkle. “Our hope was that this would serve as an example of how working in brass finishes can elevate the overall look,” says McMillan. Indeed, in this space they imbue an understated elegance, just like the bath itself.

Cabinetry and Design Bell Cabinetry & Design Tub Hydro Systems Faucetry Newport Brass through PDI Tub Filler Newport Brass East Square Countertop Compac Quartz through Westside Stone Gallery Porcelain Wall Florim through Westside Stone Gallery, fabricated by A Touch of Stone, Inc. Sconces Mitzi Lighting through PDI

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FLORALIS GARDEN DESIGN and VALERIE GARRETT INTERIORS created a trio of stylish spaces inspired by the great outdoors

EVOKING THE OUTDOORS, landscape architect Lucinda Bray of Floralis created a series of areas for dining and lounging, as well as a nook with an inviting hearth from Hartstone. Verdant and abundant plantings in various styles of containers helped define the spaces and bring the outdoors into the sunlit plaza.

Valerie Garrett of Valerie Garrett Interiors selected the furnishings, which feel collected over time. “We were trying to showcase a lot of different materials and how they blend together,” says Bray. “And the furniture very much is a reflection of that as well. It’s this mix of super clean lines with some rustic warmth.”

Grounding the different areas is an artificial turf from European Company that Bray loves for its durability and flexibility to work in any number of areas. “It has really become a versatile base to build your outdoor spaces off of,” she adds.

Landscape Design and GARDEN PLANTERS Floralis Garden Design STYLING Valerie Garrett Interiors Fireplace and Table mantel Hartstone Turf European Company Window Windsor Windows & Doors CAST STONE PLANTERS Trust Stone Collection Furnishings and Accessories Gracious Home