Rooms with a view
– open expression

Creating a kitchen graced with incredible views is about much more than taking a back seat to the scenery. This kitchen connects with its environment through a close attention to tone, form, and materials.A design for a kitchen with a beautiful outlook requires a fine balance. An overly detailed response could detract from the scenery, but at the same time, you will want the interiors to hold their own.

This kitchen was created by interior designer Donna Grace McAlear. Two previous projects with the clients had seen a shift from classic, to transitional and on to this clean-lined home, says McAlear. “The form of the living areas points towards the alpine views that surround the home – the 9.5ft kitchen ceiling steps up to 11ft in the living area, rising to 13ft by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The dining area also has expansive glazing,” McAlear says. “I selected all interior finishes to create strong internal connections.” The designer says choice of materials was a key factor. The stone exterior, which ties the house to its setting, has been brought inside, too – wrapping around the elevator mass and used as an edging for the wood floors. In the living area, a

“The form of the living areas points towards the alpine views that surround the home – the 9.5ft kitchen ceiling steps up to 11ft in the living area, rising to 13ft by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The dining area also has expansive glazing,” McAlear says. “I selected all interior finishes to create strong internal connections.” The designer says

The designer says choice of materials was a key factor. The stone exterior, which ties the house to its setting, has been brought inside, too – wrapping around the elevator mass and used as an edging for the wood floors. In the living area, a cen-trally placed column, which houses the fireplace and with the same stone finish, punctuates the glazing, with its outside face containing a built-in barbecue. Silvery hues were also introduced, again playing off the natural environment – these are seen in the gray-wash cabinets, hardware, the floors, and the appliances. “We wanted to create dramatic focal points. To balance the central column and its black-framed fireplace, I chose a mosaic backsplash. The irregular shapes of the glass pick up on the pattern of the stone-work, anchoring the workspace and offering a second point of interest.”

Silvery hues were also introduced, again playing off the natural environment – these are seen in the gray-wash cabinets, hardware, the floors, and the appliances. “We wanted to create dramatic focal points. To balance the central column and its black-framed fireplace, I chose a mosaic backsplash. The irregular shapes of the glass pick up on the pattern of the

“We wanted to create dramatic focal points. To balance the central column and its black-framed fireplace, I chose a mosaic backsplash. The irregular shapes of the glass pick up on the pattern of the stone-work, anchoring the workspace and offering a second point of interest.”

The wall of multi-hued mosaics and glass-fronted upper cabinets both work with the decor and reflect the landscape. However, the kitchen responds to the needs of a vacation home in the moun-tains in other ways, too. It is ideally suited to entertaining, with dining chairs and bar stools comfortable and refined enough to be repurposed as living area seating when the owners entertain 20 or more. A walk-in pantry in the corner and a multitude of below- and above-counter cabinets mean surfaces remain clutter free.

However, the kitchen responds to the needs of a vacation home in the moun-tains in other ways, too. It is ideally suited to entertaining, with dining chairs and bar stools comfortable and refined enough to be repurposed as living area seating when the owners entertain 20 or more. A walk-in pantry in the corner and a multitude of below- and above-counter cabinets mean surfaces remain clutter free.

A walk-in pantry in the corner and a multitude of below- and above-counter cabinets mean surfaces remain clutter free.This is another plus for entertaining. Careful lighting choices are another hallmark of the design. “We chose a horizontal chandelier for the living area, which doesn’t impede the views. A custom fixture made of amber onyx pendants defines the dining area. “All these elements draw your eye across the spaces, while augmenting the spectacular setting,” says McAlear.

Careful lighting choices are another hallmark of the design. “We chose a horizontal chandelier for the living area, which doesn’t impede the views. A custom fixture made of amber onyx pendants defines the dining area. “All these elements draw your eye across the

“We chose a horizontal chandelier for the living area, which doesn’t impede the views. A custom fixture made of amber onyx pendants defines the dining area. “All these elements draw your eye across the

“All these elements draw your eye across the spaces, while augmenting the spectacular setting,” says McAlear.

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