Kitchen & Bath
In Vogue
The need for a stylish yet functional space for entertaining resulted in an au courant kitchen designed with tasteful talent.
BY
Brandi Wills
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jim Diaz


CHALLENGE: Turning an ’80s-style beige box into a working entertainment kitchen, Peg Hammerschmidt of Hammer & Schmidt Design, Inc. created a functional floor plan in this Des Peres kitchen that spares no style. “Developing floor plans is my favorite thing to do,” she says. Her aim was to design an open kitchen space where guests could feel like they were part of the action without infringing on the cook’s area

"I gravitate toward the purity of Italian design." -Peg Hammerschmidt, interior designer

SOLUTION: By incorporating a freestanding Parsons table into the custom-made island, Peg created a gathering place for guests that made them feel at home in the kitchen while keeping them at a distance from the work zone. The space is maximized by custom recessed cabinetry with smooth, clean lines.



The kitchen’s look was directed by the homeowners’ style and affinity for contemporary design. As national and international business travelers with an appreciation for the art of modern design and living, they longed for the sensibilities of New York, L.A., Italy and the Orient. The result is a study in contrast featuring a high-gloss wall of tall, white cabinets recessed into a dark-gray alcove. Dark Wenge-stained, matte-finish wood lower cabinets juxtapose white diamond granite countertops, pulling the rich brown and white together for a similar, balanced effect with an Asian influence. The space was then dotted with Italian lighting to accentuate the modernity of Peg’s design.

Stainless steel pulls and illuminated shelves mimic the cool touch of select stainless appliances. The remaining appliances are fully integrated, in keeping with the minimalist look. The window behind the cooktop and hood was enlarged to two inches above the countertop height and wrapped in stainless steel to create a dramatic focal point, again pulling the stainless complement to the forefront. The walls layer color and tone to add to the overall flow of the space.

PULL QUOTE:
“I gravitate toward the purity of Italian design.”
-Peg Hammerschmidt, interior designer