apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There are parts of this I love. The lights, the natural wood "backsplash" area, the white/wood credenza/buffet, the contrast of the wood and the white by the door. And the dining room. And the white walls and windows.

But the black/white kitchen and marble counters really throw me and seem to clash with the warmer elements. I think a grey or white silestone or even concrete counter would have been a better choice. And I think I'd have skipped the white upper cabinets in favor of floating shelves (probably in that awesome wood) and done something different with the cabinet hardware. I think the black lower cabinets work, but the counters really throw me off.

Maybe the marble would work if the cabinets weren't so stark. Like if they were a walnut or something??

I think there's some more work to be done in combining the "exclusive" with the "effortless" here. It's SO close.

I think the starkness is attractive - it probably goes beautifully with the natural elements of the environment. I like this kitchen a lot.

I agree with Asinner, some elements are nice but there is no harmony. The contrast is too severe. The backsplash appears too small for the space and looks like an afterthought.

I love the contrast of the white walls and light fixtures to the dark wood. I can only imagine what other improvements could have been made if there was more space. I think its open and homey at the same time and very much updates the house while staying true to the original design.

I love posts like this. I think part of Apt Therapy is seeing 'others' tastes and then playing around with your own. I think the taste of this kitchen is lovely. Well done.

I think these posts would be improved with a section of sources/materials. That way readers can recreate it and be more educated.

Could someone identify that beautiful credenza under the round mirror?

I love the light and dark contrast, plus the mixture of the marble with the natural wood. The space looks so open with the white walls and dark accents. I especially like the photograph in the kitchen- where can I find that?

I love the palette and the use of some iconic design elements that in the mix are not at all a design cliche. I also love the live-edge wood counters and blacksplash. The space is super clean yet warm and comfortable. With a consistent color scheme Anne has managed to make the dining area look contiguous with a galley kitchen. It's a real visual trick that despite small sliding windows, the room feels open and bright.

love the harmony of all the elements. really nicely done.

Also- asinner- I completely disagree with the idea of the floating shelves. While in some places those do work, it is completely unrealistic to give up the loads of storage space in the cabinets in a small space. It would make the place look cluttered and smaller and floating shelves are on their way out.

Wow! I love the open feel of what appears to be a pretty small space. What a great idea. And I LOVE the use of the natural wood piece as an accent. Ties in the region without being too 'cute'

this is a very nice space with great "bones". i think what is there is lovely. but, i also think this place needs one more "layer": a few more accessories with some bright color. not too much, but just a little here and there to bring some more life into it. love the raw edged wood counters. very nice touch.

I love the art on the wall.

I am from the NW and this is very consistent with our design and relaxed/structured lifestyle. I love the wood too! It would be awesome if we had a blogger from Bellevue!!!

Very yes.

The back splash is phenomenal - I've never seen anything like it. I especially like how the natural wood is then tied in again near the foyer. An eclectic blend of modern meets rustic - the rooms feel cohesive, but subtle.

I love the lack of upper cabs on the windowed wall. I've been thinking less is more for my new kitchen.

Thanks, everyone, for the comments! Love the dialogue.

To answer a few sourcing questions:

SECreader: the photograph in the kitchen is one that I took not long ago on a tour of a large commercial bakery.

aaacoba: The white lacquer and walnut credenza is from 3 Square Design. They were based in Red Hook (Brooklyn) but unfortunately I've lost touch with the designer and I believe they may have stopped their business. I first met this group at the Brooklyn Designs show back in 2003 and purchased it directly from the designer. I especially love the adjustable shelves and cord escapes in the back. We used this piece as our t.v./stereo credenza and it worked perfectly. Velocity Art and Design (in Seattle) used to carry their pieces as well.

Anne,

Your kitchen is great. I love your style. I signed up to follow this web site because of you. I hope to see more.

Thank you.

Chris from Santa Clara.

I really, really love this kitchen. I was afraid to go with dark cabinets over my ebony floors and she has shown me that it was unfounded. Bravo...clean, yet warm, sleek and organic. Lurve it. Hire her!!!

This is kitchen is lovely! It is exactly what I am going for in my kitchen remodel. Hire her!! I am in Kirkland and would love to see AT have someone here blogging locally!

Anne & Nathan,

What a lovely job! I think what many of the previous commenters have overlooked is Anne & Nathan's past in SF and New York... the juxtapositions are so similar to what I witnessed as a Brooklynite before I made the move back to the Northwest: the modern and the traditional, the variety in materials, even in the people I lived amongst. And so not only is this kitchen and the design choices interesting and thought-provoking, they are born out of Anne and Nathan's past.

Love it! Would love to see more!

Love this apartment!! Lucky to have dark floors. I would change nothing except its the perfect backdrop for doing flowering or non flowering plants. I would love to see some African Violets with dark green leaves and purple flowers in tarnished silver pots or white post on silver trays. Just a group of potted plants here and there.

Or an old purple glass bottle with white flowers or glass with purple flowers. This space reminds me of Tine K Home- take a look at her Inspiration gallery and catalog-
http://www.tinekhome.dk/www/inspirationsgallery.htm

Love it! really like the dark woods with the contrasting white. wlooks modern but also very northwest! would like to hear more future blogs from you.

Lovely! Excellent taste and style. Would love to see and hear more from Anne. As a Seattle-ite, I have to (grudgingly) acknowledge Bellevue's ascension.

I've been hesitant to have my upper and lower cabinets not match, but I love the way these white upper cabinets make the kitchen feel roomy and light. I also really like the natural contours of the wood counter and backsplash in contrast with the the predominantly clean lines.

I love this! The light-filled kitchen is very clever and fun and I'd kill for those appliances. It looks like every detail was really well thought out, and I think it's very cool how they didn't do just a conventional update and played with contrasts and different materials especially the backsplash (i'm so over those tiny glass tiles) and the cabinets. I also adore the kid-level coat rack by the door. I'd love to see a before pic!

i appreciate modern houses, but this seems a bit drab to me. these people obviously have good taste, but there seem to be a few elements that don't belong or don't mesh with the stark look. the brown print in the dining part of the kitchen, as well as the other print by the sink seem out of place to me. and something about that wall space in the living area left me wanting more.

The backsplash really draws the eye. Clean lines and yet warm and practical. Anne and Nathan have an amazing sense of style. I also appreciated her commentary. Would like to hear more from her!

Very cool. Could use some color.

Good luck Anne.

Yeah, the kitchen is cool, but it's that row of hooks by the door that's rocking my world! I'd love to see more of this woman's organizing ideas...

Thanks again everyone for the comments! And yes, usually this space is full of very colorful things: kids, friends, food, toys, books, etc. I love that my kitchen shows off the people and things who fill it on a daily basis. Sort of like my own gallery space for living. Constantly revolving and changing.

cxm434: thanks for noticing the coat rack. It's one that I made and it's able to hold the continual rotation of items, season after season. And it's at kid-height so my family has no excuse for leaving coats and backpacks on the floor.

Gorgeous! This is absolutely one of my favorite kitchens I've seen on this site. Great use of space and the natural wood accents perfectly keep the minimalism from seeming stark. I really appreciate a space that acts as a backdrop for the lives lived in it. Thanks for sharing.

I like the overal space and the way the house was originally designed w/ the clearstory windows to bring in what light we DO get around here during the winter months.

That said, a few things of note. First off, unless you have a downdraft vent, there is no venting of any kind and if you do any sauteeing etc, the kitchen WILL get greasy in a hurry and while I love the Nelson pendents in the kitchen, I'm not sure they are practical for I wonder how well they are to clean when they get covered in grease, which a kitchen WILL get dirty just from cooking, believe you me I know and I DO have a vent and use it.

And since this was shot w/ no one in the room, the overall space has too much white and not enough other colors to help offset the starkness and I think a touch more layering may help.

Overall, you've echoed the NW modern style quite well.

Just subscribed to this, love looking at other peoples nests ( I call it "house porn" ). I enjoy these real homes with all their flaws & not quite right decor as opposed to the multi million dollar decorater homes, I do love those too.

This is the first home I've seen so far that looks like someone may have some professional skills. It works, it's calm & doesn't make me nervous with too much stuff competing for attention.

I love the strong, dark lines throughout the house!

Is it an Isola fabric in the kitchen? There is one pattern that is kind of reversed in Marimekko's current production.

It would be interesting to see the countertop in a dark colour (obviously the same as elsewhere) and the cabinets underneath it in the same white as the rest of them.

Still, a beautiful home. And I love, love, love the lamps!

Hello again! I thought I'd answer a few of the recent questions.

luftskibet: Thanks for your comments. Yes, the fabric above the dining table is an old Marimekko (I say "old" because it used to hang in my parents' house when I was a toddler). My mom collected many Marimekko textiles and luckily for me she kept them. You are right, I don't think they currently produce this exact colorway. Closest match is probably "Kaivo Brown" by Maija Isola here:
http://store.txtlart.com/kaivobrown.html

ciddyguy: I do have a vent! It's hiding! It's a Broan downdraft with a small profile: only 2". It's retractable and powerful. We love it. I'm not worried about grease on the lamps. If this were a commercial kitchen, or had poor ventilation or if I stir-fried every day then there might be a grease issue. Dust mixed with grease can be a problem. Modernica recommends regular dusting and if that doesn't remove dirt then use a gentle soap with water mixture.

Thank you again.