Crafted in Contrast

Project Overview

This soft yet striking kitchen in the heart of the Sixth Ave West neighborhood awakens the entire main floor with contrast and clarity. A once-cramped layout with a heavy drop ceiling and boxed-in walls was transformed into a peaceful, open-concept sanctuary for hosting. Sleek cabinetry, stone surfaces, and a thoughtful two-island solution bring balance to beauty—delivering the clients’ dream for a timeless, serene kitchen that feels just as good as it looks. Anchoring the space is a custom-built architectural range hood—sleek and geometric in form—adding sculptural interest and grounding the black-and-white palette with strength and style.

Project Highlights

Objectives

• Expand a tight kitchen footprint without altering the home’s exterior structure
• Create a more functional layout for both cooking and entertaining
• Introduce ample hidden storage and appliance concealment
• Establish a timeless, traditional aesthetic rooted in craftsman design
• Incorporate warmth through natural materials and mixed metals
  

Design Challenges

• Drop ceiling housed all second-floor HVAC supply/return and major electrical
• Second-floor toilet drain and plumbing stack ran through kitchen ceiling
• Clients desired a 15’ island in a 12’ wide x 20’ long space
• Load-bearing wall limited expansion into the dining area
  

Design Solutions

• Rerouted HVAC to a furred-out section of the load-bearing wall
• Reworked plumbing drain into floor joists and concealed stack behind pantry
• Minimized drop ceiling to a clean soffit over buffet cabinetry
• Split large island into two 6’ islands with a 3’ walkway to maintain traffic flow and visual balance
• Reduced island cabinet depth to 21” to subtly increase circulation
  

Special Features

• Italian Super White Dolomite countertops in a satin finish, sourced from two different suppliers for perfect matching
• Custom cabinetry by Diamond with black glass-front uppers on white boxes
• Honey bronze hardware on dark-stained maple cabinetry for warmth and sparkle
• Hidden appliance garage with lift-up door for a clean coffee station aesthetic
  
• Layered lighting and mixed finishes for soft contrast and transitional elegance
• Over 40 total cabinets, three-piece crown molding, and two islands for dual hosting/prep functionality‍
• Custom smart-lit wall niches designed to showcase personal art, integrated with Google Home for mood-based lighting control

Discover what’s possible with VL Builders. We deliver stress-free, in-budget home remodeling in Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, and the Denver area. Let’s talk about your home transformation.