THE 2007 HC&G IDEA HOUSE

August 15, 2007

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For cabinetry, Vecchio chose mahogany, which was painted and glazed to attain a beachy, windblown effect. "I knew some of the other designers were creating something beachy in feel, so we tried to keep things light, comfortable and relaxed. We chose mahogany because it's very durable, and the grain is different from other woods and picks up a whole different look when you paint it and glaze it," he says. Mahogany paneling was also applied to some of the appliances—all Viking, supplied through Delia, Inc.—including the twin built-in refrigerators, which otherwise would have overwhelmed views from the family room. (Two refrigerators were installed to accommodate large parties; built-in units are shallower than stand-alone refrigerators.) The 60-inch range, which includes two ovens to take the place of a conventional wall-mounted double oven, boasts a glimmering stainless steel finish that's complemented by an earth-toned glass mosaic backsplash.

Even the doorways were designed to feel more like a family room than a kitchen. Two glass-fronted china closets flank the archway on each side, and the entrance to the adjacent laundry room features two bookcases "so you don't feel like you're walking between cabinetry," says Vecchio. It's quite an entrance, indeed.