Island Heaven

An unconventional island anchors a Florida kitchen that's well versed in both form and function.

When Cheryl Gaddie of CG Designs created this penthouse kitchen for a new condominium building on Siesta Key, Florida it was for clients who had worked with her before and gave her carte blanche with the design. She made the layout logical for daily meals or large parties, and contemporary yet still appealing to more traditional tastes. When the clients decided not to buy, Cheryl and her husband Richard Heinricks couldn't resist, and purchased it for themselves. Today he continues to practice medicine in Minnesota but comes down frequently to enjoy the town's relaxed vibe with Cheryl, who set up a new design shop there.

"This space is made to entertain!" says Gaddie, pointing to walkways wide enough for two to three people and a unique concrete and stainless steel island. "I know concrete seems cold to some people," she says. "But I feel it's earthy and I wanted to ground the stainless. When she hosted 50 people there for a National Kitchen and Bath Association event, she knew beyond a doubt that although unconventional, the island was one of her best ideas for the space. "I hang out in the middle of the island—It's a great conversation area," she exclaims.

Gaddie cooks from the pages of Bon Appetit magazine and is used to juggling a variety of techniques. "Sub-Zero, Wolf, et Cove have the most efficient products out there," she says. "The Integrated wine fridge is impressive aesthetically and is so functional, and I love the versatility of my Wolf Dual Fuel range—especially for a smaller condo." Her passion for cooking ("Some people say you should never experiment on guests—I believe you should always experiment on guests!") is also reflected in her design sensibilities. "I think kitchens should be pieces of art," she says. "Too many people are restrictive with their ideas. Don't be afraid to be creative!"