Kitchen of the Week: Asymmetry Creates a Standout Space
A top-to-bottom redo turns a ho-hum kitchen into a modern showpiece with a waterfall-edge island as the star
Scope of work: Everything from the honey-colored cabinets to the dated appliances had to go. Bull stepped in to take the kitchen down to the studs and rebuild it. The only thing they left was the arched entry, which frames the space. “He collects art, so this became a nice artistic feature that makes the kitchen look like it’s inside a frame,” Bull says.
Once everything was torn out, the team came in with crisp white cabinetry, sturdy quartz counters, illuminated open shelves and the showpiece: a custom island featuring a striking waterfall edge and lit with asymmetrical pendant fixtures. “Larry didn’t want anything cookie-cutter,” Bull says.
Once everything was torn out, the team came in with crisp white cabinetry, sturdy quartz counters, illuminated open shelves and the showpiece: a custom island featuring a striking waterfall edge and lit with asymmetrical pendant fixtures. “Larry didn’t want anything cookie-cutter,” Bull says.
Challenge: The biggest workaround was the garage door, which didn’t allow the range and island to line up. Bull got creative by hanging light fixtures at varying lengths and using the waterfall edge to draw the eye toward the left and make the asymmetry look intentional. “It also helps the space not feel too planned and perfect — like nature,” she says.
This rustic touch was essential to balance out the modernity of the stark surfaces and lofty color scheme. “Even if it’s high design, a space still has to be warm enough to live in,” she adds. The workaround ended up becoming the focal point of the kitchen, and the rest of the design works off of it.
This rustic touch was essential to balance out the modernity of the stark surfaces and lofty color scheme. “Even if it’s high design, a space still has to be warm enough to live in,” she adds. The workaround ended up becoming the focal point of the kitchen, and the rest of the design works off of it.
Island: One of Ubl’s main requests was for an island. Bull agreed. Beyond providing a space for friends to gather when it comes time to entertain, the designer believes it’s essential in a wide kitchen like this one. “Whether you’re cooking, putting away groceries or anything else, it’s helpful to have a midway point where you can stop and put things down,” she says.
Beyond being functional, the island is striking for its modern edging. “It’s always visually appealing when a surface you expect to be on a certain plane extends into an unexpected one,” she notes.
Beyond being functional, the island is striking for its modern edging. “It’s always visually appealing when a surface you expect to be on a certain plane extends into an unexpected one,” she notes.
Lighting: The cascading pendants help balance out the layout and lend an artful touch that the designer knew Ubl would appreciate. “To me it feels like they are flowing down, almost dripping like water,” she says.
Open shelves: The island provides additional storage, so Bull did not think twice about taking down the cabinets near the range, where instead she added open shelves. “The hood cabinet is never a very usable storage space, so I typically make that more decorative,” she says. The shelves were made to match the driftwood on the island to create cohesion throughout. Bull installed uplighting here to bring attention to the wood and add a touch of drama.
Subtle walls: A marble herringbone tile backsplash stretches around the hood and window, connecting the two walls and creating a pretty backdrop for the shelves. Though Bull isn’t a fan of big stainless steel in decor, they chose the hood to accentuate the backsplash. “If it weren’t there, the marble tile wouldn’t show through very well,” she says. The wall paint (Sherwin-Williams’ Herron Plume) is a warm neutral that contributes to the welcoming appeal without detracting from the design.
Hidden appliances: In kitchen design, the idea is to keep the focus where it should be: the beautiful elements that work into the overall flow of the home. “The refrigerator should never be the focus,” Bull says. Rather than place it in a clandestine spot that would be less accessible for the homeowner, she installed panels that match the rest of the cabinetry and seamlessly camouflage the large appliance.
Another functional piece that shouldn’t pop? Microwaves. In this case, Bull designed a microwave drawer into the island to keep it within reach and out of sight. Other clever storage ideas include an appliance garage next to the fridge, where the toaster and coffeemaker live, and a drawer with outlets to discreetly charge electronics.
Hidden appliances: In kitchen design, the idea is to keep the focus where it should be: the beautiful elements that work into the overall flow of the home. “The refrigerator should never be the focus,” Bull says. Rather than place it in a clandestine spot that would be less accessible for the homeowner, she installed panels that match the rest of the cabinetry and seamlessly camouflage the large appliance.
Another functional piece that shouldn’t pop? Microwaves. In this case, Bull designed a microwave drawer into the island to keep it within reach and out of sight. Other clever storage ideas include an appliance garage next to the fridge, where the toaster and coffeemaker live, and a drawer with outlets to discreetly charge electronics.
Cabinets: The designer bypassed shakers. “A lot of people were doing them at the time,” she says. “They would get dated quickly.” Instead, she chose Highland cabinets that have a small bead in the center, which softens the overall look with their light vintage nod.
Smart swap: Although it took more work, the designer flipped the location of the dishwasher and sink to allow space to add a lazy Susan in the far corner. “Otherwise you have a blind corner that takes up a lot of space without being functional,” she says.
Sturdy surfaces: Quartz counters are low-maintenance, long-lasting and lend a soft shimmer that plays with the marble backsplash. On the floor, the 12-by-24-inch tiles come in a sandy shade that provides warmth against the bright white cabinetry, while meshing with the dark hardwood floors throughout the rest of the house. Though subtle, the flooring’s pattern contributes to the watery movement Bull envisioned for the space.
Smart swap: Although it took more work, the designer flipped the location of the dishwasher and sink to allow space to add a lazy Susan in the far corner. “Otherwise you have a blind corner that takes up a lot of space without being functional,” she says.
Sturdy surfaces: Quartz counters are low-maintenance, long-lasting and lend a soft shimmer that plays with the marble backsplash. On the floor, the 12-by-24-inch tiles come in a sandy shade that provides warmth against the bright white cabinetry, while meshing with the dark hardwood floors throughout the rest of the house. Though subtle, the flooring’s pattern contributes to the watery movement Bull envisioned for the space.
Natural touches: From the get-go, the homeowner knew he wanted to incorporate organic details into the design. Bull worked in driftwood-style surfaces for the island and shelves and decorated the space with wood.
Hardworking hardware: Some consider hardware an afterthought, but in this case the knob’s dark finish counteracts the loftiness of the space, creating balance. “They’re grounding,” Bull says.
More
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Other Resources on Houzz
Find a kitchen designer
Browse kitchen photos
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Hardworking hardware: Some consider hardware an afterthought, but in this case the knob’s dark finish counteracts the loftiness of the space, creating balance. “They’re grounding,” Bull says.
More
How to Refresh Your Kitchen on Any Budget
Homeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Other Resources on Houzz
Find a kitchen designer
Browse kitchen photos
Get kitchen advice
Find kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Larry Ubl, who works in management at Xerox
Location: Tustin, California
Size: 178 square feet (16.5 square meters)
Designer: Heather Bull of Vision Interiors
Before: Though spacious, the kitchen Larry Ubl inherited when he took over his mother’s Southern California home lacked personality and style. The lofty layout provided plenty of room to move around but didn’t have much space for prep. When Ubl, an art collector with a knack for style, moved in a year ago, he knew he wanted to make it his own by pulling inspiration from artsy Laguna Beach, where he lived previously. He found designer Heather Bull after searching Houzz for professionals in Orange County.