Room of the Week: Ken Best, Synthesis Design

Category: Kitchen/Dining Room

Design: Ken Best, Synthesis Design

Location: Vancouver

Goal: Ten years ago, Synthesis Design created the architecture and interiors for this house in Vancouver’s North Shore, furnishing it with the client’s inherited traditional décor. Although it was elegant and refined, the client enjoyed casual gatherings with family and friends, and never quite felt that the interiors represented “her.”

“Flash forward 10 years, and she was expecting a crowd for the holidays,” says interior design project manager Ken Best, of Synthesis Design. “Every member of her family would be gathering for Christmas for the first time in years. It was time for a change. She contacted us for a lively and colorful shake-up that would be an updated reflection of her current tastes.”

Inspiration: “A few years ago we refurbished a barn on the same property, turning it into pool cabana and personal spa,” says Best. “The rustic feel of the space resonated with our client, and she wanted to bring it to the main house as well, albeit in a much more elegant way.”

Breakdown: Starting with classic warm white cabinetry and contrasting charcoal Caesarstone countertop, Best and his team added white bead board to back a shelf made from a reclaimed board as a refined version of the rustic look the client desired. The cabinetry was designed by Synthesis and fabricated by HF Custom Cabinets. Synthesis also designed the 8-by-8-foot custom dining table, which was fabricated by Lauten Woodworking and made from reclaimed timbers that were formerly part of an old sawmill on Vancouver Island. Over the table hangs a glamorous Robert Abbey Bling Chandelier in deep bronze.

Surrounding the table is a variety of custom seating designed by Best and his team and made by Omega Custom Furniture. The 7-foot-long benches combine white leather seats with backs upholstered in “Conduit” from Robert Allen, adding a hit of blue to the space. “The benches shine, as they are supported by their quieter surroundings,” notes Best. “This light aqua color remains popular, and is a versatile choice. If you don’t feel adventurous enough to upholster a whole furniture piece, consider bringing in the hue as a throw, toss cushion, or in the form of accessories like vases, trays, or dishware.”

The client’s favorite piece, a custom buffet built to display her crystal pieces, was stained light, bringing another element of warmth to the space. Above it hangs a cherished piece of art handed down from family.

Get the Look: “Start with a neutral envelope of soft grays, whites, and wood floors,” Best advises. “This look is about balance, being simultaneously rustic and refined. For rustic elements, consider a gray-stained or reclaimed wood dining table, or even a reclaimed wood tray or bowl at the center of a more finished table. To add a dose of color and pattern, consider statement chairs at the ends of the dining table, and keep the chairs on the sides more neutral—or, alternately, you can add patterned and richly colored drapery panels. For light fixtures and metal accessories, choose dark, or oil rubbed bronze. To me, the pairing of the oil-rubbed bronze and crystal fixture is essential to the look.” 

Images Courtesy of Tracey Ayton.

Room of the Week: David Lucas of Lucas Design Associates

Category: Kitchen/Dining room

Designer: David Lucas of Lucas Design Associates

Location: Laguna Beach, CA

Goal: A young family in California seeking a sophisticated look for their home turned to Seattle-based interior design David Lucas to design a kitchen and dining area with family-friendly furnishings and industrial details.

Inspiration: “The client was very specific about what they were looking for,” Lucas notes. “They referenced International Style architecture and unique destination hotels such as the Conservatorium in Amsterdam. We were inspired by this direction as we have a real interest in early 20th-century design, and it was fun to research interesting hotels.”

Breakdown: The first step was to create a material palette, paying attention to larger architectural details throughout the house. “The reclaimed wood at the double-height entry and the blackened hot-rolled steel stairs are very important and strong features of the house,” Lucas says. “Smaller details like the raw brass cooktop surround add unexpected interest in their refinement when juxtaposed with the more rustic textured oak cabinetry.” The show-stopping staircase has concrete treads. “It is meant to look like something you would see in an old factory,” Lucas explains. “We softened this by adding a tapered edge at the steel handrail.”

Lucas carried the material palette through to the island separating the kitchen and dining room. A custom dining table designed by Lucas is surrounded by Piet Boon KEKKE chairs, and trays by Seattle-based designer Stefan Gulassa hold plants that bring the sole touch of color to the dark palette. A Lindsey Adelman Branching chandelier hangs over the dining table. 

Get the Look: Lucas offers this succinct but effective advice:

“Stick to a limited palette, and don’t be afraid to use seemingly masculine materials.”

Room of the Week: Jennie Gruss, Jennie Gruss Interiors

Category: Dining Room

Designer: Jennie Gruss, Jennie Gruss Interiors

Location: Seattle

Goal: After interior designer Jennie Gruss’s clients got married, they started a life together in the Magnolia Tudor the husband owned. Fifteen years later, their personal style had evolved, and they brought in Gruss to update the house and re-envision the main living areas. “The former style and starting point was Swedish-inspired,” Gruss notes. “Overstuffed and highly accessorized space with a lot of pattern, color, and traditional elements. It was beautiful, but we were all in agreement that it was time for a change.”

Inspiration: Gruss and her clients were inspired by a 1970s color palette, and knew early on that they wanted a pop of color in the dining room. At first the client was drawn to fuchsia, but then they ended up settling on turquoise. “It was more unexpected,” Gruss says, “and something that my client felt that she would not tire of as quickly as pink chairs. Also it calls back to the original pendant light in the living room that has blue glass inserts.”

Breakdown: One of Gruss’ favorite ways to work is to mix modern architecture with vintage furniture (and visa versa). Stripping the room down to the bones, she anchored it with a dining table that the clients already owned—it had sentimental value to the husband. The Milo Baughman re-edition chairs for Thayer Coggin were upholstered in custom fabric from Osborne and Little, brightening the space with a pop of turquoise. The chandelier and rug were the clients’ own, and the curtains are custom wool sheer drapery fabricated by Lesley Petty Workroom with fabric from Kelly Forslund Showroom.

Tips to Get the Look: “Keep it simple,” says Gruss, “but make a few strong statement decisions, like a strong pop of color or a juxtaposition of traditional meets modern.”

Image courtesy of Jennie Gruss Interiors.

Room of the Week: Ian Butcher, Best Practice Architecture

Category: Dining Room

Architect: Ian Butcher, Best Practice Architecture

Location: Seattle

Goal: The Capitol Hill couple that owns this house loved its open concept floor plan, but they wanted to create a more intimate dining experience within the lofty kitchen/living/dining area.

Inspiration: A white oak paneling system visually separates the three public areas, while allowing them to stay connected.

Breakdown: Architect Ian Butcher used the paneling system to create a distinctly defined dining area, while keeping the open flow between the kitchen and living room. “My idea was to treat the design as an intervention within the space to improve areas and hide irregularities with a system that could be expanded upon if my clients wanted,” he says. “The paneling replaces a weird railing, establishes a system for attaching modest steel shelves, and allows for a cost-effective way to hide some of the less appealing parts of the house, such as the can lights, existing fireplace surround, and TV wires.”

The paneling envelops the dining area, bringing warmth and texture to the space. A round dining table from Restoration Hardware is surrounded by mismatched antique store chairs custom-painted in a bright blue that unifies the different styles. A Rich Brilliant Willing light fixture hangs over the table, and clear-coated mild steel floating shelves display pictures and other collected items.

Tips to Get the Look: “Think about how materials or textures can fold and bend around surfaces or walls to define space,” Butcher says. “And don’t be afraid to paint old pieces of furniture.” 

Image courtesy of Mark Woods.

Room of the Week: Joy Chao, John Henshaw Architect

Category: Dining Room

Designer: Joy Chao, John Henshaw Architect

Location: Point Grey, Vancouver

Goal: Two professionals with a teenage son wanted a relaxing space where they could hang out, cook, entertain, and enjoy their ocean view. They also wanted to capture the south-facing sun coming in from the backyard.

Inspiration: “We were inspired by the open space (park and water to the north) right in front of this property,” says interior designer Joy Chao, “and we wanted to take the open feeling throughout the home.”

Breakdown: According to Chao, the blue-gray of English Bay and the neutral tones of nearby Trimble Park were the starting point of creating the look in the dining area. “Architecturally, we created an axis of view from the windows in the living room, through the dining room and onto the south facing backyard through a set of bi-folding doors. The idea is that the water view can be seen even when the client is outdoors in the backyard.” The shelving unit in the background is a custom design by John Henshaw Architect, and houses the homeowner’s extensive Chinese teapot collections. B&B Italia Vol Au Vent dining chairs in Serra fabric tuck nicely into the Natura Boss Executive 2 table from Riva, and an iconic George Nelson Bubble Lamp floats above head. Above a red wood bench (a previous piece of the clients), is a commission by local Chinese artist Yang Zheng Dao.

Tips to Get the Look: “Keep it simple,” Chao says. “Limit the colors and materials used to no more than three to five. However, use materials that are tactile and rich in feeling and look, so that even though the room does not consist multiple elements, it does not feel sparse.”