Few states can boast the kind of deep connection with nature that is claimed by Colorado. With the Rocky Mountains looming large in the western half of the state, and the wide open plains stretching for hundreds of miles in the east, this is a place for people who love to explore the outdoors.
That love of nature certainly carries over when indoors. Rather than shutting out the beauty of the landscape, homeowners like Lara and Justen Miller make it a point to bring nature in and embrace it with their design choices. For this luxury kitchen renovation project, the Millers worked with talented designer Diane Gordon, along with CopperSmith, to create something that fits Denver perfectly.
Transitional Design is a Smart Choice
As a starting point for this type of project, it’s customary to select a design style that will guide the project. That’s not to say that the entire design has to stick strictly to a single design school, but making this choice gives the designer a starting point and gets things moving. From there, adjustments can be made as the project develops to make sure it all comes together just right.
In this case, opting for a transitional style was a smart pick. To create something that is at home in Denver, a large metropolis in the shadow of the Rockies, it was going to be necessary to be inclusive of nature while also embracing modern touches. That’s pretty much at the heart of what transitional design is all about, and it makes much more sense here than a strictly modern and minimal aesthetic. At the same time, going completely rustic might not have been the right fit in such an urban setting, so blending the two is an intelligent strategy.
Making the Range the Center of Attention
One can’t help but first notice the huge Wolf range living in the middle of this new kitchen. With a massive Wolf double oven featuring a whopping ten burner knobs, some serious cooking is certainly going on in this home. If that range is the centerpiece, and it would be hard to argue otherwise, the hood that hangs above it has to live up to all the attention that it is going to get.
Fortunately, Diane found CopperSmith and our impressive Premier PR8 range hood. It’s a natural partner for the Wolf range, and the two together are the defining element of the kitchen. Not only is our PR8 handcrafted range hood up to the challenge of providing proper ventilation for such a large cooktop, but it also matches the Wolf range in terms of beauty and attention to detail. The pieces simply look like they were always meant to be together.
Spotting Signs of Nature
Let’s get back to the idea of bringing the beauty of Colorado inside this Denver kitchen. Evidence of this strategy is everywhere, both in obvious and more subtle forms. First, there are the lovely woodgrain floors, which bring a warmth to the space and pay tribute to the endless acres of forest that cover the western half of the state. Wood is also highlighted in the open shelving that was added to the wall, and in the large cutting board that rests in the middle of the range when it isn’t in use.
Another natural element is the exposed brick that serves as a dividing line between the kitchen and dining areas. The brick is carried up one wall and across the ceiling, allowing it to play a prominent role. Even the tiling that goes up to the ceiling within the kitchen has a matte, earthy tone that again points to a connection with nature.
Finally, we can’t help but point out the creative use of a slab for the backsplash behind the stove. Specifically, we love how the veining in the slab is reminiscent of the mountain ranges in the state, with peaks and valleys as it moves from side to side. Whether intentional or by happy coincidence, this is one of our favorite features in the whole kitchen.
Natural Light is Everywhere
Even with all of the great touches featured in this kitchen, and even with the quality components like the Wolf range and CopperSmith custom kitchen hood, something would have been missing if the space were dark and closed off. It’s all about bringing nature in, after all, so it needed to be as open as possible.
That’s exactly what was accomplished through the inclusion of virtually as many windows as would have fit in the space. They couldn’t include a window directly behind the range, of course, but other than that, there isn’t much wall left. Either side of the range features a large window, and the dining area is surrounded entirely by glass that lets the wonderful Denver sun stream in.
By keeping the kitchen completely open to the dining area, with only the small peninsula providing a bit of a divider, all of the natural light from the dining space comes straight into the kitchen. That’s by design, to be sure, and it makes everything bright and inviting from end to end.
A Perfectly Executed Plan
It’s one thing to decide to bring natural elements into a transitional kitchen design project. It’s another thing entirely, however, to do it successfully. We think you will agree that the kitchen created by Diane Gordon for homeowners Lara and Justen Miller is a huge success and highlights the natural wonders of Colorado while still being modern and functional all the way around.
If you are impressed by what was created here, it’s just one example of the countless kitchens that CopperSmith has helped bring to life. Explore our site to see the many different designs and products we have available, all of which can be completely customized to serve your needs. We’d love to work with you soon!
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