It’s no secret that warm tones have had a major revival lately and people are loving the return to organic, rich neutrals ranging from deep browns to creamy whites. Paired with clean, minimalist lines, they create a balanced feeling of cozy, uncluttered serenity.
That’s exactly the atmosphere that unfolds in this divine Long Island space crafted by John Starck, owner of Showcase Kitchens. Crafted for high-performing entertaining and to be in tune with the home’s midcentury architecture, the kitchen brims with eye-catching beauty but also functional luxury, due much in part to its suite of Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances.
The story of this kitchen starts with the enthusiastic clients who brought in interior designer, Rhonda Scharf, to transform and expand their Long Island home. Scharf immediately recognized the level of transformation needed in the kitchen to meet the client’s vision and brought on Starck to reimagine this pivotal area. It was a natural partnership, as Starck had completed other kitchens in the neighborhood.
The clients had a clear sense of what they wanted—and just as importantly, what they didn’t. They sought a clean, minimalist design enriched with textural elements and in line with the spirit of their new home. Though both are busy professionals, they love to cook, entertain, and host large gatherings with out-of-town guests, so the kitchen needed to have the functionality and layout to suit their fun-filled, active lifestyle.
A key part of achieving their goals was selecting the right high-end appliances for optimal aesthetic and performance purposes. And, the team at Showcase Kitchens had a strong recommendation. Starck shares, “I always start with Sub-Zero, explaining that of all brands, they are the easiest and most sophisticated to design with, especially when needing integrated matching panels.”
Highly engaged in the design and renovation process, the clients went with Showcase Kitchens to Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove’s Roslyn Heights Showroom to ask questions and walk through their innovative options in person. With expert guidance, they ended up choosing Sub-Zero’s Designer Series Refrigerator and Freezer Columns, as well as a full package of Wolf appliances, including the Induction Cooktop, Convection Steam Oven and Built-In Single Oven, Warming Drawer, and Liner for their kitchen’s custom hood. “Ultimately, the clients could not be happier how the appliances worked into their contemporary kitchen seamlessly,” Starck reflects.
Storage was also a top priority for the client, wishing for optimal organization for their cookware and dishes. In addition to the Sub-Zero Refrigerator and Freezer Columns, Showcase Kitchens designed a full-height custom storage wall opposite the main kitchen. Deep drawers, open shelving, and further storage tucked under the island also helped fulfill this need.
When it came to the kitchen’s spatial planning, the first major decision was to remove the wall that separated the kitchen from the living and dining areas. Showcase Kitchens also eliminated one of the three existing load-bearing columns, opening everything up for an easy-breezy environment. These changes resulted in more natural light from the patio doors, a better flow to the dining and living areas, and enhanced sight lines for connecting with loved ones in other spaces. Not to mention, this open kitchen now fits the architectural era of the home much better.
Of course, the cosmetic choices were pivotal to creating the minimalist, sleek, and inviting mood the clients wanted, too. Its sumptuous, warm color scheme of medium browns, whites, and metallics was selected by designer Rhonda Scharf, as well as the furnishings.
Showcase Kitchens chose a eucalyptus wood species for the cabinetry, grounding the space in airy, organic tranquility. Meanwhile, brushed metallic YORO GOLD on the custom hood and lower island brought subtle textural glamour. The Silestone Calacatta Gold countertops, with their gold veining, introduced yet another shimmering metallic accent.
Today, this reinvigorated kitchen, decked out in tried-and-true Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances and decadent design details, gives the homeowners a stunning, highly-functional, and impressive place to host exactly how they imagined. As Starck puts it, “It serves as both a culinary hub and a social anchor, complementing the home’s luxurious yet welcoming style.”
Sub-Zero Group, Inc., a third-generation family-owned business, is recognized worldwide for the highest achievements in appliance innovation and customer satisfaction. If you’re working on kitchen projects in New Jersey or the New York metro area and want nothing but the best appliances, Sub-Zero Group East is the local distributor and offers three convenient area showrooms. At any of these destinations, you can explore the products in-person and begin to bring the kitchens you envision to life.
