Dazzling Design in a Douglas Dream Kitchen

Investment: $90,000-$115,000

Photographer: Grace Juracka

Location: Douglas

Dazzling Design in a Douglas Dream Kitchen

The intersection of high-concept design and rigorous construction is where a culinary space transcends utility to become a landmark of the home. In our recent execution of this expansive kitchen overhaul, the mandate was clear: realize a vision that balances the weight of dark, industrial aesthetics with the ethereal lightness of glass and marble. This project served as a masterclass in modern materiality, requiring our construction team to work with exacting tolerances and premium finishes that leave no room for error.

We often participate in the creative ideation of our projects, but this particular kitchen was a collaborative effort. We had the privilege of working alongside BauTeam Chicago, whose expertise set the stage for this dramatic transformation. Our role was to serve as the technical hands behind the vision—translating sophisticated renderings and complex material specifications into a high-performance reality.

The Dark Heart of Custom Millwork and Integration

The visual anchor of the residence is the kitchen, a space that defies the traditional “white and bright” trend in favor of something far more atmospheric. The cabinetry, sourced through our collaboration with BauTeam, features a sleek, handle-less profile that emphasizes pure geometry.

The finish is a deep, matte onyx that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating a velvety texture that feels incredibly modern. To achieve this seamless look, our construction team focused on several critical elements:

• Precision Alignment: With handle-less cabinetry, the “reveal” (the gap between doors) must be perfectly uniform. Our installers worked to sub-millimeter tolerances to ensure every vertical and horizontal line was plumb and level across the entire run.
• Integrated Lighting Channels: One of the standout features of this kitchen is the integrated LED channel lighting. We routed specialized channels beneath the countertop overhangs and along the toe-kicks. This required meticulous electrical coordination during the rough-in stages to ensure all drivers and wiring were completely hidden from view while remaining accessible for future maintenance.
• Seamless Appliance Integration: The project features a suite of high-performance Miele appliances, including a dual oven stack and a custom-paneled refrigerator. Fitting these into the BauTeam millwork required a “zero-clearance” approach, ensuring the appliance faces sat perfectly flush with the surrounding cabinetry for a monolithic appearance.

Master of Stone with Leathered Surfaces and Waterfall Edges

The cabinetry forms the “heart” of the kitchen, while the stone serves as its “soul.” This project utilized a sophisticated stone language to create a dialogue between the different functional zones of the kitchen.

The Kitchen Island and Perimeter

The countertops are a study in tactile luxury. We installed a leathered-finish black stone—likely a high-honed granite or soapstone—that offers a soft, organic feel compared to traditional polished surfaces. The island features a massive waterfall edge—a construction challenge that requires the stone to be mitered at a perfect 45-degree angle. This ensures the veining appears to flow seamlessly from the horizontal prep surface down to the floor.

Book-Matched Backsplashes

In the cooking alcove, the stone transitions to a high-contrast marble with dramatic, lightning-bolt veining. Our team executed a book-matched installation here, mirroring the slabs to create a symmetrical Rorschach-like pattern that serves as a natural piece of art behind the range.

Mechanical Sophistication Behind the Infrastructure of a Chef’s Kitchen

A luxury kitchen is only as good as the systems that power it. Drawing from the detailed mechanical specifications, our team overhauled the kitchen’s “invisible” infrastructure to support the professional-grade layout.

Specialized Gas and Induction Cooking

The cooktop setup is a hybrid of gas and induction, featuring specialized Miele burners set directly into the stone countertop. This required several important steps:

• Surgical Stone Cutouts: Each burner required a precise, custom-templated opening in the leathered stone.
• Dual-Fuel Coordination: We managed the simultaneous rough-in of high-pressure gas lines and high-amperage electrical dedicated circuits, all of which had to be positioned with pinpoint accuracy before the cabinetry was installed.

Integrated Ventilation

To maintain the clean sightlines designed by Lucas Rosa, we integrated a flush-mounted downdraft ventilation system. This system remains hidden within the island cabinetry, rising only when needed, which necessitated complex duct routing beneath the flooring to exhaust the air externally without compromising the structural integrity of the slab.

The Elements of Light Through Layered Illumination

In a high-contrast environment, lighting is the tool that defines the space. The design called for a multi-layered approach that we executed through three distinct phases:

1. Architectural Pendants: A series of five cylindrical, matte-black pendant lights with chrome accents provide targeted task lighting over the island. Our team ensured the ceiling junction boxes were spaced with mathematical symmetry to align perfectly with the island’s centerline and the floor’s grout lines.
2. Gola Lighting: We installed “Gola” profile lighting—a European style of integrated LED strips within the cabinet carcasses themselves. This illuminates the interior of the drawers and creates a glowing “halo” effect around the dark cabinetry.
3. Natural Frame: The construction involved the installation of large, thin-profile windows that frame the lush greenery outside. The contrast between the dark interior and the vibrant green exterior provides a natural counterpoint to the monochromatic palette.

The Craft of the Finish

The final 5% of a project often dictates the client’s long-term experience. For this kitchen, the finishing touches were rigorous. We utilized a Level 5 drywall finish on the surrounding walls to ensure that when the accent lighting “washes” the surfaces, there are no visible shadows or imperfections. Even the electrical trim was considered—we used low-profile, color-matched receptacles to ensure that the necessary power outlets didn’t distract from the beauty of the stone backsplashes.

This kitchen stands as a testament to what happens when expert construction meets visionary design. We are proud that our team was able to deliver a culinary center that is as technically sound as it is visually breathtaking.

At Areté, we believe every detail matters, and we pride ourselves on creating environments that are both functional and undeniably beautiful. Call us at 773.683.3033 or contact us to start your next project—your dream space is just a conversation away.