The White House
2015-2016 KDC Finalist
Cette maison néo-zélandaise était magnifique. D'une élégance épurée, elle accueillait un piano à queue et était dotée d'un gracieux patio et de grandes baies vitrées. Cependant, la cuisine n'était pas du tout à la hauteur. Elle était petite et disproportionnée par rapport au reste de la maison. On s'y sentait à l'étroit, voire claustrophobe. Cette cuisine semblait avoir une double personnalité : son îlot était blanc, et tout le reste marron. D'un point de vue fonctionnel, elle n'était pas adaptée aux besoins du client’ tant en termes de préparation des repas que de réception.
Designer Morgan Cronin saw an opportunity to create something spectacular – right in step with the rest of the home. A kitchen that is elegantly white, a pleasure to cook and entertain in, and full of amenities that the clients will appreciate every day. “I wanted to design a visually large kitchen that would suit the proportions of the home,” says Morgan, “but without making any major structural changes.” He did this by increasing the size of the island in depth, and in length from 10 feet to 16 feet. He also removed the nib walls that closed in the back area to allow the new cooking area to be in proportion with the new larger island. Suddenly the whole kitchen area was opened up, with much better flow and exhilarating views to the patio and garden area. All the cabinetry, all the countertops are now white, for a smarter, more contemporary feel. Morgan created a new scullery area that is, if anything, even more breathtaking than the kitchen itself. The scullery is anchored by a Sub-Zero 36” refrigerator and freezer, with its stainless steel finish and iconic grill.
In every respect, Morgan has accomplished a stunning kitchen transformation, and created a space that is, at long last, worthy of the home it belongs to. One final touch we love, and the one we may remember the longest, is the chandelier, a Herculean pendant by Moooi, with its fanciful, branching appearance: pure magic. “The most satisfying thing for me as a designer is that the
kitchen looks like it has always been there,” says Morgan. “It is perfectly fitted, and in proportion to the home.” Months after completion of the installation, he is still getting messages from the client, telling him how much she appreciates her new kitchen: “I still pinch myself that it’s mine!”
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