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OPPOSITE The shapely prep-sink faucet offers the

power of an industrial sprayer in a traditional

design. RIGHT The stainless­steel range hood features a flared design echoed by the flanking shelves. A lowered

wood countertop on the island creates a convenient

place for casual dining.

ust like a movie with an all-star ensemble, this Atlanta kitchen boasts a medley of A-list features, each as captivating as the next.

"The range and the hood are definitely the

stars of the kitchen, due to the visual weight of all the stainless steel;' says Kelly Carlisle, a kitchen designer with

Design Galleria Kitchen & Baths, who used both brushed and polished metal in the hood to give it maximum effect.

But the supporting cast is just as important. A wall of marble surrounding the range hood dramatically displays the artistic veining of Calacatta Manhattan. Sculptural

open shelves on either side of the hood frame a medley of exquisite materials-stone, glass, and deeply colored ceramic tile set in a herringbone pattern.

The opposite side of the kitchen puts in an equally strong performance. Here, Carlisle created symmetrical

custom cabinetry units for dishes and glassware, each with graceful fretwork and antiqued-mirror door fronts. A large-scale gooseneck faucet at the main sink rises

before the window like a piece of sculpture. And yet, homeowners Tracy and Dave Duncan hadn't

planned to make a big production out of their kitchen makeover. They began with a modest goal of just changing

out the countertops. But after talking with the team at Design Galleria, they realized a lighter, fresher look would

better suit their style. Tracy likes the palette of warm grays, cream, and silver. "It was important to us to change up the typical white or brown cabinets we see in many other houses;' she says. "We wanted to create something unique:'

Carlisle designed the U-shape kitchen to disguise day-to-day necessities within the elegant look. Cabinetry

along the back wall houses an appliance garage as well as the refrigerator and freezer. 'We like to fully integrate appliances into the cabinetry so that it doesn't limit the design;' Carlisle says.

A lowered walnut-topped table at one end of the island provides a welcoming spot for in-kitchen dining. The wood offers warmth to balance the mostly cool

surfaces throughout the space. 'We also chose cabinets that are multitonal, with blue and brown undertones to add warmth;' Carlisle says. ''.And even using polished nickel for hardware brings in a warm yellow undertone:'

Like a good director, this designer knows how to get the most out of all the players so that the whole is even better

than the individual parts. RESOURCES BEGIN ON PAGE 140.

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28 DREAM KITCHENS & BATHS

THIS PHOTO Twin cabinet towers resembling custom armoires flank the cleanup sink along one wall of the kitchen.

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