CASE STUDY: Silestone Trendspotter Denise McGaha Lilac Kitchen
Project Details: Project: Lilac Kitchen Trend: Layered Color, Metallic Accents Style: Contemporary Influence: A fashionable family that loves to live and entertain in their kitchen Total Square Footage: 388.9sq. ft.
Cosentino Materials: Bar & Island Surface: Silestone Charcoal Soapstone; 3cm, 43.3sq. ft. Cabinet Wall Counter Surface: SIlestone Calacatta Gold; 3cm, 47.3sq. ft.
Kohler Materials: Strive Apron Sink: Stainless Undermount, Duo Strainer Artifacts Pull-Down Faucet: Oil Rubbed Bronze Finish Brinx Bar Sink: Dia Stainless; Duostrainer Gentlemans Bar Faucet: 99268-2BZ Strive Bar Sink: Undermount Install, Stainless, Duo Strainer Artifacts Bar Faucet: Single-Low Pull-Down Spout
Benjamin Moore Paints: Main Cabinet Color: Benjamin Moore Shadow 2117-30 Island Color: Benjamin Moore North Cascades 1411 Tall Cabinet Color: Benjamin Moore Sea Life 2188-40 Kitchen Ceiling Color: Benjamin Moore Spring Iris 1402 Floor Color: Benjamin Moore Lavender Mist 2070-60 High Gloss Finish
Denise McGaha Biography
Denise McGaha Interiors is consistently ahead of the curve, not just influencing interior fashion, but often dictating it. Denise’s sophisticated methodology, and solid business acumen, evolved through her decade in the corporate landscape of luxury retailer, Neiman Marcus, where she honed her well-trained eye, and was an integral part of the team that launched NeimanMarcus.com. Denise’s trademarked process for “designing with a deadline” makes her the go-to designer for clients who want luxury, but not the wait. By offering deadline driver design solutions, her discriminating clientele receive exhilarating interior design, couple with prompt completion of their luxury project.
Project Overview – Lilac Kitchen:
Denise McGaha, in collaboration with Cosentino, Kohler and Benjamin Moore, brings lilac to life in an incredibly functional and stylish kitchen layered in different tones of purple. The space is designed to be the true heart of the home; breakfast at the coffee bar and barstool area, a work station or venue to host lunches, and a perfect spot to enjoy an evening glass of wine before or after dinner. Denise used Silestone Charcoal Soapstone on the bar and island and new Silestone Eternal Series Calacatta Gold on the counters around the cabinet walls.
Q+A with Denise McGaha
Who did you have in mind when you designed this space and how do you imagine them using it? I imagined a family of 5 with children and parents and a few dogs – much like my family. They would use this space at all times of the day – breakfast (coffee bar and barstool area), during the day (mom or dad could work at the table or host lunches for friends and family) and evening (wine bar for before dinner drinks – access to patio area for outside hors d’oeuvres before dinner inside or vice-versa).
The design element that immediately stands out in your kitchen is the use of a color palette prominently featuring shades of purple. What about this color family spoke to you? How did you select and use these different colors without being overwhelming? Layering multiple shades of plum and lavender and using Benjamin Moore’s 2017 Color of the Year, Shadow, allowed this space to have drama and a palette that serves everyone. When using color, this palette makes everyone look beautiful in a way that doesn’t feel either masculine or feminine. It’s for everyone. Staying within the same color family keeps the color from feeling overwhelming. Also it works perfectly with the greenery outdoors to keep it from feeling too formal or stuffy.
What advice do you have for homeowners using bold color in the kitchen through paint or other materials? Don’t be shy. Paint is one of the best ways to make a statement and one of the easiest things to change. It’s a no brainer when designing a space.
The design of your space seems especially fitting for entertaining. How did that element influence the design / ambiance you created? This is definitely an entertaining space but even everyday kitchens should allow for entertaining. Our family deserves everything we offer to guests, and more… The addition of various complementary metallics into the space; both added glamor and excitement, while harmoniously unifying the different design elements. These luxe accents tie back perfectly to the Cosentino countertop on the perimeter, and the beautiful gold veining of the Silestone Calacatta blends perfectly with the metallic tile.
What drove your sink and faucet pairing choices? Why multiple sink stations? Do you see that as an important trend in kitchen design? I do!! I love when others get in the kitchen and work with the chef. In my own home we all pitch in to work to prepare a meal. Whether it’s prepping vegetables or washing dishes, everyone can work together and feel part of the action.
Do you have any kitchen design tips for homeowners thinking about remodeling or building? Make sure your sinks are large enough!! When you entertain, there are often multiple courses and having room to stack dishes before final clean up while leaving the countertop surfaces clean helps everyone focus on each other and not the large mess in the kitchen!!
If you had to put a name to the design style of your room, what would it be and why? Art Deco with a dash of Mid-Century Modern Glam.