Cheerful Disposition

For their first custom home a Franklin Lakes, New Jersey couple gets a sunny kitchen artfully informed by heritage and vocation.

On a large lot with woods and wildlife only 20 minutes from Manhattan, this physician and his spouse built their first custom home in a traditional style that also captures the beautiful surrounding views and reflects their tastes and personalities. "They were excited about getting their heart's desire," says kitchen and bath designer Anthony Albert Passanante, who blended light colors with dark accents as his base for a unique, uncluttered environment where key elements would shine.

Oak floors stained a dark walnut run through the kitchen and entire home, contrasting beautifully with mahogany and white recessed-panel cabinets. Traditional beadboard at the island dining end adds a bit of country charm. The island also has a work surface height of 30 inches that’s perfect for the diminutive lady of the house who is of the same Asian descent as her husband. Different counter surfaces in wood, soapstone and a mosaic tile also hint at different activities taking place at the counter. "She wanted big, clean, open surfaces to work on and the Wolf also keeps those lines real clean and simple," says the designer, who also specified the built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator for its seamless fit that doesn't protrude from the 24-inch deep wall. "We wanted things to appear more furniture-like," he adds. "Two wall cabinets are just enough for what they have. Less is more. I try not to fill voids with wall cabinetry but ask myself, What can I do? Artwork? Lighting? A backsplash up the wall? Keep an open mind!"

The vintage botanical print created for medicinal reference harkens to the doctor's vocation, while woven stool seats and a backsplash tile that resembles Mother of Pearl suggest traditional Asian crafts, and light fixtures above the island recall delicate upturned champagne flutes. "Their tastes are very unique. It's fresh, clean and there's a little bit of surprise here. They let me think outside of the box."