A Chef-Worthy Remodel
AFTER DEALING WITH A POORLY DESIGNED KITCHEN FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS, THE KUMETS FAMILY BROUGHT IN CANTONI DESIGN CONSULTANT GEORGE SABA TO TRANSFORM THEIR SPACE INTO ONE THAT WAS OPEN, CONTEMPORARY AND ERGONOMICALLY EFFICIENT.
Like a painter needs a canvas, a cook needs a kitchen. That's exactly why Alla Kumets, along with her husband Pavel, decided to renovate their kitchen to create a space that was both inspiring and functional. "I have a family so I have to cook every night," says Alla. "But, I had this standard traditional-looking kitchen that wasn't my style, everything was in the wrong place, it was hard to clean, and I could never find the things I needed."
Though she had been cooking in the inconvenient space for 15 years, Alla patiently waited to build the kitchen of her dreams until she and Pavel were ready to make the investment. Once the Austin-based couple decided to move forward with the big project, they enlisted Cantoni designer, George Saba, whose background in architecture and maximizing space paired well with their multi-layered needs. With Alla and Pavel's vision and desires in mind, George set out to convert their home’s basic cooking area into a contemporary and ergonomically efficient chef-worthy space. "They wanted to take a less is more approach and have the kitchen feel like an extension of their living space, " says George. "We tried to break down the geometry of the kitchen and think ergonomically about where everything would be placed."
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After evaluating numerous options within our portfolio, George selected the Atelier collection finished in wood, lacquer and glass and opted for Caesarstone countertops and an oxidized backsplash with porcelain tiles to achieve the sleek, modern look they wanted. "I've always liked contemporary style," notes Alla. "Although the rest of the house is contemporary, the kitchen was outdated and closed off. Now, it opens up to the living room, so it just flows better."
George designed the kitchen’s layout around Alla’s cooking process and determined which elements were needed to maximize the efficiency and functionality of the space. As part of the remodel, he moved the plumbing to create cabinetry that provided easier access and more organization.
"Since Alla loves to cook daily, it was important to make the design both functional and practical," adds George. "We used materials like Caeserstone because it’s substantially more durable than granite and ideal for an active kitchen.” For the cabinetry, he selected seamless self-closing panels to achieve the sleek and unified look they wanted. Industrial-grade steel hinges were added to stand the test of time. "It's not just the overall look," notes George. "But, the details that make something long lasting and unique."
The end result was a clean, open and efficient room. "I think George is a design and architecture genius," concludes Alla. "The kitchen was driving me crazy and I didn't know how to improve it. George worked with me to find a solution. He knew where things needed to be and it made my life easier. Every evening when I cook I'm so grateful for what he created for me."