kitchen renovation

A hardworking structural beam also serves as tableware storage and conceals lighting. Finger pulls instead of cabinet hardware keep the focus on the clean lines of the kitchen. Holes in the baseboard act as a vent.

The light blue of the lower cabinetry was inspired by the color of the backyard pool, but was restricted to the lower cabinets to avoid overwhelming the space. The white counters, walls, and cabinets keep the space feeling light and bright, thanks to lots of natural daylight as well.

The existing layout of the kitchen was largely kept in tact, which helped keep the budget in check because there was only limited relocating of plumbing, gas lines, and other infrastructural work.

Designed by midcentury California architect Charles Du Bois (known for his A-frame homes in Palm Springs), this residence on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles is the new and “forever” home of designer Leonora Mahle and her family.

The counter and backsplash are made up of a marble slab leftover from a bigger job.

Virtue Joinery built the custom cabinetry, composed of plywood stained a soft grey.

Alessia’s favorite detail? “I am not a huge fan of handles, so there are only three cuts [in the cabinetry] which lets you open six doors.”

The entrance to the galley kitchen, with the tile repeated below the built-in bench.

The new structural support at the island is a slim intervention that enabled the firm to open up the kitchen to the rest of the home.

The walls are covered in Milestone cement plaster.

Pros: Concrete countertops are durable, resistant to heat, and can be less expensive than natural stone, especially when completed as a DIY project. Cons: Concrete must be sealed before being used; otherwise, its porous nature means that it will stain very easily.

The kitchen cabinets, designed by Taku and built by Osamu Hironaga, hold dishes from Taku’s Hasami porcelain line, which is produced in Nagasaki.

A thick, poured concrete slab forms the surface of the large island and waterfalls to the floor on one side.

Custom cherry veneer cabinetry was designed and installed “to the very smallest inch in terms of tolerance,” Siqueira said.

Sage details on the joinery compliment the natural warmth with black steel shelves and light fittings providing a sharp contrast

An Arteriors Wahlburg Chandelier hangs over the kitchen countertop.

The floors are Oak End Grain Helvetica by Solid Floor, combined with bespoke handmade cabinetry by Grovecourt.