A Feast For The Eyes

Form follows function in the Atlanta Homes &“Lifestyles Luxury Kitchen, which was on display at Phipps Plaza for the month of May.

Form follows function in the Atlanta Homes &“Lifestyles Luxury Kitchen, which was on display at Phipps Plaza for the month of May.

Kitchen designer Michael Bell incorporated a unique banquette design into the island that adds warmth to the space and breaks up the large planes of mahogany and marble. An oval dining table mimics the shape of the built-in seating area. Lamps, barstools and table available through MacRae and Holland &“Co. Dinnerware, glassware and accessories, Williams-Sonoma. Tile floor, Traditions In Tile. Appliances by Thermador.

Kitchen designer Michael Bell incorporated a unique banquette design into the island that adds warmth to the space and breaks up the large planes of mahogany and marble. An oval dining table mimics the shape of the built-in seating area. Lamps, barstools and table available through MacRae and Holland &“Co. Dinnerware, glassware and accessories, Williams-Sonoma. Tile floor, Traditions In Tile. Appliances by Thermador.

A steam oven and concealed freezer unit by Thermador is mirrored on the opposite side of the kitchen by a refrigeration unit and built-in coffee machine from the same manufacturer. Besides the banquette area for dining, the kitchen also incorporates counter seating for two at each end of the island.

Faucet and sink by Elkay.

Table by Julien Chichester, available through MacRae and Holland & Company. Seat cushion fabric by Tom Filicia for Kravet. Green pillow fabric by Celerie Kemble for Lee Jofa. Gray-and-white balustrade-style pillow fabric by Christopher Farr Cloth, available through Grizzel & Mann; pillow trim by Rogers & Goffigon.

Counter stool, available through MacRae and Holland & Company.

Warming drawer and induction cooktop by Thermador.

Weathered-gray oak cabinet doors on the island provide contrast to the kitchen’s other finishes in cream and mahogany.

Silestone solid surface counters complement the wall cabinets.

Custom built-ins keep utensils within arm’s reach.

The mix of materials in the space is evident in the Calacatta Borghini Marble from Marmi Natural Stone, hardware from Richelieu and tile flooring by Traditions in Tile.

In May, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles teamed up with Michael Bell of Inspirations Kitchen & Bath and Liz Williams of Liz Williams Interiors to create the 2011 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Luxury Kitchen, part of the magazine’s Luxury Living Show at Phipps Plaza. Visitors were wowed by its state-of-the-art appliances, as well as its design that captured a fresh perspective on traditional style.

“I like my designs to be soothing,” says Bell. “I always design with elegance and balance in mind. I don’t like hard-edged designs—the space should feel natural when you’re in it.” With a combination of clean lines, and finishes and materials that expressed both cool and warm tones, that soothing style was readily apparent.

“The perimeter cabinets featured a metallic pearl finish that gave off a very subtle sparkle,” says Williams, “and the mahogany island had inset weathered-gray oak doors that were a clever way to break up the long piece.” For the countertops and backsplash, a Calacatta Borghini marble for the island featured a unique combination of gray and beige hues in the veining, which made it feel ‘warmer’ than pure white marble. For the cabinetry along the periphery, gray Silestone complemented the marble, but also provided contrast to the lighter cabinets. “Glass mosaic tiles gave a clean look and shimmer to the backsplash,” says Williams, “and also kept the space feeling light and bright.”

Kitchen Designers
Michael Bell & Paul Castell
Inspirations Kitchen & Bath
1250 Alpha Dr., Alpharetta 30004
(770) 751-7861
InspirationsKB.com

Interior Designer
Liz Williams
Liz Williams Interiors
345 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE,
Atlanta 30305
(404) 816-9868
LizWilliamsInteriors.com

Flooring & Backsplash
Traditions in Tile
3210 Roswell Rd., Suite C
Atlanta 30305
(404) 239-9186
TraditionsInTile.com

Countertops
On perimeter cabinets:
Silestone by Cosentino
1741 Wilwat Dr., Building B
Norcross 30093
(404) 353-2915
Silestone.com

Countertops & Fabrication
On island:
Marmi Natural Stone
5433 Goshen Springs Rd.
Norcross 30093
(770) 921-7601
MarmiStone.com

Appliances
Thermador
2154 Vicki Ln.
Alpharetta 30041
(404) 702-9443
Thermador.com

Cabinet Hardware & Lighting
Richelieu
(available through Inspirations Kitchen & Bath)
(770) 751-7861
Richelieu.com

Plumbing & Sinks
Elkay
Repco Sales of Georgia
211 Rope Mill Pkwy.
Woodstock 30188
(770) 591-1800
Elkay.com

Accessories
Williams-Sonoma, Phipps Plaza
(404) 237-0912
Williams-Sonoma.com

Table, Counter Stools & Lamps
MacRae and Holland & Company
Atlanta Decorative Arts Center
(404) 233-2091
HollandAndCompany.com
MacRaeDesigns.com