Faced with a house full of strange angles and a kitchen shoved into the corner of a great space, designer Sandra Bargiel of Bay Cabinetry & Design Studio embraced the unusual design. This Michigan kitchen comes with an angled island to separate the dining and kitchen space, and to work with the kitchen’s corner location. Making the island practical and beautiful — with smart functions hidden on every side — and adding rustic, modern, industrial and conventional elements let this magnificent kitchen to flow with the rest of the house.
Kitchen in a Glance
Location: Traverse City, Michigan
Size: 126 square feet
Builders: Whiteford and Associates Design/Build Business
B.C.D. Interiors
These homeowners are serious cooks, so Bargiel put everything they needed within reach while they’re at the island preparation space. Stainless steel –lined shelves 18 inches deep under the island top maintain baking and cooking gear in hand. The stainless steel is easy to clean and won’t scratch whenever someone is digging to get a rolling pin. The cupboard inserts cost around $1,300.
The customers opted for untreated soapstone countertops to complement the kitchen’s more rustic components. The custom-cut island top and countertops price about $7,500.
Pendant light: Single Sloane Street Shop Light
The walnut cupboard in the end of the island was constructed independently and placed on casters. Bargiel wanted it to function as a buffet, so it could be reclined to the dining or living room for serving drinks. This custom-built piece price about $770.
Reclaimed bamboo floor warms up the gray and white cabinetry and soapstone counters, tying into the homeowners’ love for industrial and rustic components.
White cabinetry: maple, Cornsilk, Sorrento; Vintage cabinetry: Carbon, Bremtown Fine Custom Cabinetry
Unlike the rest of the kitchen, the island along with the fridge follow the angle of the house. The L shape of the rest of the kitchen sets up an adequate work triangle with the fridge and also the island workspace.
Since the kitchen is tucked away in a corner, Bargiel also wanted to ensure it’d get loads of light. The upper cabinets had a snug location around the single window. Putting glass on front and sides of the upper cabinetry let light to flow entirely through them. The 15-inch upper cabinet depth is large enough to hold oversize plates.
Refrigerator: Sub-Zero 36-inch
Reclaimed barn wood beams add heat and patina into the new structure, creating a nice contrast with the kitchen’s alloy hardware and light. Each side of the island has a specific role — cooking, serving and dining. The dining side of the island has space to seat two.
Hardware: throw bronze pulls and knobs, Top Knobs; range hood: custom
The custom made steel range hood includes a brass rail for storing utensils hand. Crisp white subway tile contrasts with the dark hood and gray cabinetry. The tile backsplash price about $2,500.
Backsplash: subway tile, Trikeenan Modulus
At the far end of the island, a storage device with custom chopping block sits on casters too, so it could be moved around as needed. When it is not being used, it is conveniently tucked in to this place, and the wheels lock. A hint of walnut peeks out from under the counter, including a subtle warm touch.
Sink: Dickinson Apron Front, Kohler; faucet: Hansgrohe; mild: Visual Comfort Chart House Square Flush Mount