The Art Collectors
Lachmee Chin and Kurt Dannwolf, ODP Architecture and Design, Hollywood, FL
It’s not often that a designer is asked to do a whole-home remodel and eliminate the kitchen entirely, yet that was the request put to Lachmee Chin and Kurt Dannwolf of ODP Architecture and Design in Hollywood, FL. The art-loving seasonal residents of this Miami condominium were interested in a space that would act as a relaxing retreat, but the need for nothing more than a space for the occasional breakfast warming meant a stand-out kitchen wasn’t on the list.
But the belief that a functional kitchen could work as art motivated the designers to create a small kitchen that would act as a focal point in the open-area design. Special attention was paid to sculptural and architectural elements within the 260-sq.-ft. space, and the team relied on the use of sleek materials and artistic elements to deliver just the right balance.
Setting the backdrop are custom polyester lacquer cabinets in white with hardware from Valli & Valli. The sink area features the Oscar kitchen faucet from Graff, paired with Julien’s Urban Edge sink, set in Opustone grey quartzite. On the backsplash is Opustone Velvet Onyx. To the right sits a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher, Thermador wall oven and microwave drawer and the condo’s existing Sub-Zero refrigerator, which was integrated into the space. Also included are a Fisher & Paykel refrigerator drawer and Sub-Zero ice machine.
The sculptural, angular island acts like a piece of art, separating the living area from the kitchen. Multidimensional, it repeats the polyester lacquer of the cabinets, and was designed to integrate a steel frame to support the 8′ cantilever bar top that boasts 2″-thick textured art glass. In the island, a Viking 30″ Electric Radiant Cooktop provides sleek function. Above, the Moon Crystal Range Hood from Futuro Futuro hovers next to glass and steel pendants that play off of the island’s materials.