Organic colors and rich textures are seen throughout this kitchen, which features maple cabinets, Lyptus hardwood flooring and a stainless steel range backsplash with a sunrise pattern.
BY amanda flatten
Details are important in a kitchen remodel, but Preston Hollow homeowners Paula Leone and
Tim Carlson had very special requirements when remodeling theirs. The kitchen, which is in the center of the home, had to be able to withstand
the constant wear and tear of the couple’s four dogs — two German short-haired pointers, a rat terrier and a hound dog mix — and one foster dog. The couple rescues dogs for Animal Rescue of Texas and always has at least one foster dog. Leone and Carlson chose Kitchen Design Concepts to handle their project.
“We wanted to make it as dog-friendly as possible and make it easy to clean,” Leone says.
The modified colonial-style home had various additions from several previous owners when the couple bought it. “Parts of the house looked tacked on,” Leone says. Thus, the couple’s objective when remodeling the house, including the kitchen, was to make it look like it was one cohesive home. “We added details and finishes that were consistent with the modified colonial look and blended that with more modern materials that met our qualifications for pet-friendliness,” Leone adds.
Mary Kathryn Reese, co-owner of Kitchen Design Concepts, says Leone had a lot of artistic ideas that were incorporated into the design. “She wanted a simple, clean look using contemporary materials, while maintaining a soft look,” Reese says.
Pet-friendly materials used in the remodel to withstand playful canine paws and wagging tails included: durable Lyptus hardwood floors with a wax finish; easy-to-clean, washable flat paint; and buffed stainless steel legs on the island table.
“The biggest challenge was that I wanted to mix a lot of different materials,” Leone says, adding that Kitchen Design Concepts didn’t discourage her. “There is a lot going on, but it all came together.”
Maple cabinets add a warm, natural element throughout the kitchen. Sea foam green Corian and Lyptus wood were used for various countertop surfaces, and Green Peace granite was used as the island countertop surface. Subway tile forms the backsplash and contrasts with the stainless steel range backsplash with a sunrise pattern. “I wanted organic colors in the kitchen, so we used a lot of browns and greens,” Leone says. “I tried to balance our modern tendencies with the colonial look of the house.”
The room now has wonderful ambient light from large side-sliding windows perfect for passing food through to the outdoor kitchen. The ceiling was raised, the floor was lowered and a door was added to provide more convenient outdoor access. The former walk-in pantry was turned into a small wine room, but Leone says she still has plenty of space with the ample cabinets. A large corner cabinet with a Lazy Susan houses the dogs’ kibble, their medications and Tupperware for Leone’s home-prepared dog food. “It keeps the kibble close at hand but out of view,” Leone says. “That turned out to be the most useful cabinet of all.”
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RESOURCES
kitchen remodel and design:
Kitchen Design Concepts
2741 E. Belt Line Road, Ste. 113
Carrollton, TX 75006
214.390.3800
www.kitchendesignconcepts.com
cabinets:
Kitchen Craft
1180 Springfield Rd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2C 2Z2
800.463.9707
www.kitchencraft.com
stainless steel backsplash and table legs :
LM Fabrication
1835 Empire Central
Dallas, TX 75235
214.688.4150
doors:
BMC Millwork
425 Airline Drive
Coppell, TX 75019
972.304.1234
appliances:
Dacor
1440 Bridge Gate Dr.
Diamond Bar, CA 91765
800.793.0093
countertops:
The Countersource
1214 Metro Park Blvd. #202
Lewisville, TX 75057
972.353.8766
www.countersource.net
Plumbing, faucets and fixtures:
Paragon Distributing
13921 Senlac Dr. #100
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
972.241.8911
Lyptus hardwood floors:
Central Hardwoods
2605 Rodney Ln.
Dallas, TX 75229
972.241.3571
www.centralhardwoods.com |
