Traditional and contemporary kitchen designs are quite different, yet equally beautiful.
Design details that dominate in a traditional kitchen include ornate molding and trim; cabinets in cherry, walnut or mahogany shades; antique fixtures; and appliances with open shelving. This warm and inviting look borrows from American and European homes of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
For a more contemporary design, characteristics include a clean look that has no molding or other ornamentation, asymmetric and horizontal lines, streamlined surfaces, and man-made materials such as stainless steel, laminate, concrete chrome, and lacquer. These contemporary styles encompass the 1940s to present, with Italian, German, and Scandinavian influences.
To find out which style you prefer, read on.
CONTEMPORARY: SLEEK AND CHIC
Showcase Kitchens took an outdated kitchen and transformed it into a contemporary chic space that this family of five can enjoy for years to come.
The new kitchen with its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired style flows seamlessly with the rest of their Kings Point home.
“They wanted their kitchen to be more conducive to the home’s overall style, sleek and clean lines,” says John Starck, the head designer, who had to do a gut renovation for the magic to begin.
Some of the notable design features of the room are the vaulted ceiling with skylights and a center island, what Starck describes as “the focal point axis.”
“It’s a key signature element I strive to implement in most of my designs,” he says.
TRADITIONAL: WARM AND WELCOMING
This colonial home in Carle Place, built in the early 1900s, had gone through many renovations, including being split into multiple dwelling units, before its current owners purchased the home.
“This created an awkward, disjointed layout,” explains Ralph DeFelippis, lead designer with Alure Home Improvements and National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) awardwinning designer. “The family found their dream home but the galley style eat-in kitchen was bursting at the seams.”
DeFelippis doubled the square footage and converted the galley into a spacious kitchen with traditional details. The homeowners, who like to cook and entertain, can now whip up gourmet meals and host their friends and family in an attractive space that has abundant counter and storage compartments and multiple cooking zones.
