Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/56679
live at home AFreshTake The recipe for a home chef's kitchen is simple. All it requires is a great layout, easy-to-clean surfaces and a comfortable style that welcomes cooks, friends and family alike. That certainly wasn't the case in this condo kitchen's original state. A quirky layout left little counter space and even boasted a pass-through to a peach-hued breakfast nook. In short, it was a little cramped and a bit dated. "We wanted to give it some life," says Andrea Jakubczak, owner and senior interior designer of Eco Fusion Design, a home décor and design services store. Starting with a new layout and adding eco-friendly and chef-approved design choices, the result is a space that is functional, stylish and fresh. Sophisticated Storage Deep, full-extension drawers are a clever alternative to base cabinets. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors disguise a pantry and refl ect natural light by day. At night, in-pantry lighting casts a soft glow, warming the space. Punches of Personality A simple, urban look provides a clean slate for the homeowner's eclectic style. Colorful accents abound, and fun solutions to design choices—like recessed canned lighting—were found in these hanging pendants that simply screw into the existing fi xture, no patching or drilling necessary. Eco-Friendly Basics From fl oor to countertop, products were sourced close to home and sustainably manu- factured. Tiger-strand bamboo Fresh Focal Point Open shelving replaces heavy upper cabinetry, expanding the space visually and leaving everyday dishes within reach of the cooktop. Glass tiles stretch from counter to ceiling, adding height and color. fl ooring coordinates with maple cabinetry in a deep taupe stain. To add contrast, locally made polished concrete counters were chosen as an easy-to- clean surface with a casually elegant look. 22 BRAVA Magazine February 2012 Photos by Mike Rebholz