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January 4, 2019

Out in the Oklahoma countryside, two clients were looking for a contemporary and minimalist home that took advantage of the pastoral views and focused on function and flow. Designer Brenda Helms of Edmond, Okla.-based Edmond Kitchen and Bath was charged with helping create the kitchen and master bath in this new-construction project, which became a striking contrast to its surroundings.

Care to Detail
Along with a request for a clean and warm style, the homeowners wanted a true handle-less kitchen design with paneled appliances and push-to-open cabinetry.

“Those type of cabinet doors can be done with a number of cabinet companies, but it’s often with the paneled appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers that we run into issues,” said Helms, adding that a soft close, push-to-open mechanism is usually not available on them.

The design team was able to work around this by creating a custom recessed C-channel for gripping the edge of the fridge column doors. They also specified a knock-to-open dishwasher with a custom panel, as well as a wine fridge with the C-channel for gripping.

For the cabinetry, they chose a custom line to execute the details required. The finish on the white and gray cabinet doors offers a hard-wearing velvety matte touch that is easy to clean and forgiving of scratches. Grain-matched, walnut doors on half of the island and the back wall cabinetry introduces a naturally warm element.

Helms explained that for a project of this scale and detail, she used 20/20 Vision software. This program allowed her to import actual textures and products in the project, like the Neolith back counter and wall splash and the C-channel edges.

“This technology is a must when trying to complete a true modern design where the precision of every line matters,” she said. “In modern design, it’s often these lines that create the subtle flow of the kitchen. They become much more important than in a traditional kitchen.”

Center of Attention
According to the designer, the island is the center of the function in this space because it executes all the flow from start to finish. Ingredients can be prepped at the Galley Workstation – a multifunctional sink with cutting and cleaning accessories – and then cooked at the induction cooktop on the island. Dirty dishes then go into the dishwasher, which is in arm’s reach of the cooktop. Additional storage with large, deep drawers was also created on the back side of the island

“When dishes are clean, they are in close proximity to go back into their places in the island and wall cabinets,” said Helms. “The workflow goes easily around in a circle.”

The island is topped with a marble-veined, waterfall edge-slab that is meant to lead the eye from one end of the kitchen to another. Over the island, three minimalist pendants with bare Edison bulbs are a bold addition.

“The client found these pendants early on in the process, and they continued to be a favorite throughout the process,” said Helms. “They captured the young, modern vibe that suited our homeowner and did not steal the show from the other elements of the design.”

Simple Space
The master bath was smaller than average, but the long length of the vanity allowed the design team to fit in additional storage space. While floating, the vanity offers optimum storage with cabinet organizers like pull-out buckets and adjustable shelving. Made with the same durable cabinetry as the kitchen, the vanity is topped with solid white quartz that contrasts the black faucets.

“The hardest part of this bathroom project was just keeping it very simple,” said Helms. “It doesn’t take very much to overdo a small space like this one.”

For a bold but minimalist touch, the designer created a walnut accent wall on one side of the bath and a black-painted wall behind the mirror. Solid white, quartz countertops contrast the warm and dark colors.

“In a small space like this, multiple textures and patterns would have been too much,” she said. “The space is beautiful as a whole.”

Source List

Designer: Brenda Helms
Photographer: David Cobb

Kitchen
Backsplash: Neolith
Cabinets: Jay Rambo Cabinetry
Dishwasher: Miele
Downdraft: Viking
Faucet: Brizo
Induction Cooktop: GE
Island Countertops: Cambria
Oven: Miele
Pendants: Vibia
Perimeter Countertops: Neolith
Refrigerator: Thermador
Sink: The Galley Workstation

Master Bath
Cabinetry: Jay Rambo Cabinetry
Countertops: Cambria
Faucets: Brizo

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