For this Dallas renovation, designer Rebecca Sutton, CMKBD, CKBR of Kitchen Design Concepts had a slightly unusual scheduling complication: the project, including a kitchen with two islands, had to be completed before the birth of her clients’ child.
The islands are the heart of the reconfigured the 250-sq.-ft. space. They’re each about eight feet long. The cooking island is 4.5 ft. deep, while the entertaining island, at 5.5 ft., is more expansive to accommodate seating.
Kitchen with Two Islands
The entertaining island is composed of counters at three staggered heights. The main level is a standard 36 inches above the finished floor (AFF). Heights on the island proper were calculated for standing or seated adults (the walnut top, at 37.5 inches AFF) while offering a safer option for younger kids. At 30 inches AFF, the lowest counter extension on the island was dimensioned with children’s safety in mind.
The white quartz top and side waterfall edges were fabricated and installed first. The wood element was templated around this mass in order to maintain an 18 inch depth on all sides (including legs) as well as a consistent 1.75 inch protrusion from the stone. The underside of the walnut is routed for steel L-brackets, which are attached to a knee wall and hidden by an additional piece of white quartz. The gray quartz module – the one for sized for youngsters – is notched into the white waterfall edge for support.
The project is personalized for the clients in more than the overall design. The husband is an amateur woodworker; he wanted to (and did!) build the walnut counter on the entertaining island. It’s a small but significant legacy for the growing family.
Sources for Kitchen with Two Islands
Design: Rebecca Sutton, CMKBD, CKBR, Kitchen Design Concepts Photography: Unique Exposure Photography KITCHEN Cabinets: Elmwood Cabinet Hardware: Emtek Cooktop, Dishwasher, Wall Ovens: Miele Countertops: Caesarstone Faucets: Waterstone Flooring: Interceramic Lighting: Leiser Bird Microwave: Panasonic Paint: Sherwin-Williams Refrigerator: Sub-Zero Sinks: Blanco Tile: Marble System Vent Hood: Zephyr
