The Bold Look of KOHLER

City Island

City Island There’s a lot of style and function in this tiny kitchen, achieved, in part, with mirrors. Mirrors mounted under the cabinets and above the countertops are one of the visual tricks the designer incorporated.

"I envisioned this kitchen being used by a couple," said designer Michael Wiener, ASID. "I wanted to provide plenty of storage and a pleasant, but rich background that would make it inviting for them to go into this very tiny space. I used contrasts so that everything would stand out like a jewel, and placed them on a dark background that would itself recede."

What he created is a very contemporary kitchen that makes the most of every square inch, and features elegant materials and clean simple lines. He placed a full-sized sink on the diagonal in one corner of the kitchen to maximize the depth of the space and to add style.

The long hallway that bordered the space was turned into an asset when the designer created a secondary work area that paralleled the hall. There he installed a countertop with a small entertainment sink. It promotes harmony when two people need to work in a small space.

To bring out the soft peach color of the sinks, the designer chose an elegant granite countertop, black ceramic tile for the floor covering, and a black, art deco vinyl wall covering. All of these elements have the effect of making the areas they cover seem to disappear. Wiener opted for appliances with black glass fronts and made special note of the fact that the stylish matte black ceramic floor has a non-slip surface for safety.

Cabinets finished in a soft grey hide under-cabinet lighting. A lighted, glass-front cabinet over the sink is filled with china pieces to add depth and visual interest. The kitchen was created with a fairly tight budget. "One advantage to a small space is that one can afford to use luxury materials, like the ceramic and the granite, because only small quantities are required," Wiener said.

About the Designer
Michael Wiener, ASID, is owner of Michael Wiener Design Group, Inc. of Manhattan. The firm handles residential and contract work, including model apartments and offices, as well as renovation and restoration projects. A graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York, Wiener has been a designer for more than 25 years. His work has been featured in numerous regional publications.

PRODUCT/RESOURCE LIST

Kohler Co.
K-5922-2 Marsala kitchen sink in Desert Bloom
K-6356 Avatar faucet in White
K-8801 Duostrainer sink strainer in polished chrome
K-6560-3 Aperitif entertainment sink in Desert Bloom
K-8220-K/K-16070-6 Taboret faucet in polished chrome w/white inserts
K-5917 Hardwood cutting board