Black and White Beauty
By: Brooke Perry
Striking a perfect balance between glamour and functionality, this Old Tappan kitchen pairs the classic combination of black and white with elegance and ease. “Glass-front cabinets, a crystal chandelier and flamed finished granite give the kitchen a graceful, understated style, without going overboard on the flash’: says designer Glen Lumia, president and CEO of Northvale-based Creative Design Construction & Remodeling.
Among his goals, Lumia sought to create an appealing separation between the great room and spacious kitchen. The homeowners love to entertain, so it was important to create a space that is conducive to that. Our solution was to introduce a second, stepped island that can be used both as the family dining area and as a bar when guests are invited!’ The stepped design and striking arched column feature accomplishes two goals: reducing visible workspace from the great room while further enhancing the sense of separation between the spaces.
Flanking the 48-inch Wolf range from Reno’s Appliances are beautiful glass-front hutch-style cabinets, custom designed to display a collection of heirloom antique pottery. To make up for the lost workspace, Lumia introduced a second island with an under-mounted utility sink topped by Absolute Black granite in a flamed finish. “This one is a workplace island, where multiple cooks can work on meal prep.”
Hand-crafted, painted cabinets by Crystal Cabinet Works feature beaded inset construction and classic hardware in a Vibrant Nickel finish. The dual 36-inch Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, Wolf dishwasher and Wolf beverage center are beautifully concealed by matching cabinetry fronts. Complementing the cabinetry’s designer white finish is backsplash of pillow-style Calcutta Gold marble subway tiles from Wayne Tile. Lumia also made maximum use of the kitchen’s higher ceilings, taking the cabinets and trim detailing to the ceiling at over nine feet. On the floor, he opted for wide plank quarter-sawn white oak with a walnut finish.
