European Contemporary Kitchen

Feinmann, Inc. was hired to transform this traditional kitchen into an open, modern space that now offers clean, contemporary aesthetics, wooden artistry, and a backdrop to integrate their artwork, all while bringing a new level of functionality to the home. It was important to this third time client to stay in their home and continue to love it even more.

Specifically, Feinmann met the challenge of creating a larger kitchen within the limitations of the abutting driveway and tight parking. They did this by bumping out the exterior wall and creating an architecture angle in the kitchen, which also supported the contemporary design the clients wanted. This also allowed us to create balance architecturally between the office and kitchen on the opposite side of the house, by continuing the language of an earlier renovation. Adding to the artistic interest, we elevated the ceiling with a unique angle making the space feel even larger and more expensive.

The contemporary kitchen features modern wood paneling, and cabinets in a beautiful white oak composit by Tizzoni featuring an organic wood grain element that flows horizontally. This linear matching helps to further push the eye along the exterior plain. In addition, the handles are integral with the cabinetry in keeping with the streamlined look.

The Porcelanosa Floor tile in Detroit Antracita Lap (23×23) with the finest amount of grout features a slight texture and helped to create an optical illusion by making it seem larger by pushing the eyes towards the windows and reinforcing the perimeter of the cabinetry on the exterior wall. The darker floor texture also helps push the horizontal platform and grounds it by showing contrast between the floor and cabinetry. Stepping from the dining room you naturally want to follow the exterior wall angle. An additional feature also included radiant floor heating.

Above the sink, where a window formerly existed, the owners wanted to make it more private, but still allow natural light to shine through. Feinmann’s solution was to create a glass wall cabinet, thereby creating linear continuity throughout the exterior wall. It almost stands out as its own piece of artwork. Three things are happening where the new window and cabinet live; the window is frameless with just a piece of glass that is surrounded by the full height stone backsplash allowing the counter to blend seamlessly and creates the illusion of height. The glass window is positioned closest to the exterior wall strengthening the connection to the outdoors. The cabinet above the sink is reflective and creates the look of a window while reinforcing the linear effect of the cabinets.

Finally, we made the breakfast nook look minimalistic by embedding an entire wall of Marvin windows within the frame of the wall to make it look like a glass wall with a casing that mimics the oak wall paneling. What was once very dark is now bright and allows for natural light to pour through the kitchen.

• 2019 PRISM Award BRAGB – Gold Best Kitchen Remodel > $200

Learn how Feinmann designed and built this kitchen to have open space, state-of-the-art functionality, contemporary aesthetics, and wooden artistry.

We’ve worked with Feinmann several times on major projects and it is a great pleasure to work with them. This is our third time hiring them because we wanted to continue to stay in our home and love it even more.