Silestone Trendspotter Theresa Casey’s Organic Loft Kitchen
Tags: news and events | 7 years ago | Written by: Cosentino
Theresa Casey is one of Canada’s most distinguished and celebrated interior designers. Her award-winning work for an international clientele has been described as “the work of a designer who is not interested in spaces that are ‘done’; rather, she works the shapes, proportions, textures, and light into a harmonious and emotionally satisfying balance.”
As part of the Silestone Trendsetter series, Theresa Casey designed her Organic Loft kitchen with a vision to create an urban sanctuary. The kitchen design, which incorporates Silestone, Kohler and Benjamin Moore products, infuses traditional and modern influences to create a beautiful space that connects with nature. Theresa utilised colours from the Silestone Eternal Series, Calacatta Gold and Marquina, as well as Silestone Iconic White.
Accessability was a key element to the kitchen design; Theresa integrated an ADA-accessible roll-up counter and incorporated wider hallways to easily accommodate wheelchairs.
Outdoor space and organic materials seem to play a significant role in your kitchen design. Why is marrying indoor and outdoor spaces important to you as a designer?
I think it is and always will be important to connect people to the earth, especially in urban environments. I think it inspires us.
Your kitchen features strong artistic elements – from the sculptural light fixtures over the island to the art hanging over the wet bar. How did you select colors and materials that both contributed to – and complemented – this artistic tone?
Bringing in handmade elements enlivens a space. In this case the 1930s Italian handmade light fixtures bring texture and interest to the wall. The hanging pendants are wonderfully patterned and perfectly frame the island and the symmetrical floating shelves beyond. I was so excited by the Silestone Eternal ries. I love Marquina; it adds a hit of graphicness to the archway between the two spaces, making the transition particularly engaging.
In this project I wanted an environment that would allow space for the client’s passions while leaving room for quiet contemplation. I am interested in finding out what excites my clients so that I can incorporate those interests into their homes; in this kitchen there was dedicated space for books and art. But also, there is a calm nurturing atmosphere where they can create new ideas in their work and where the young family gathers. I started with Silestone Iconic White for the countertops here because of its freshness, it really contributes to the tranquil nature of the space. My work is client driven, I don’t have a formula and I tailor unique, individual, concepts to reflect their interesting lives.
Balance and symmetry are key components in this design. Can you tell us how you went about achieving this effect?
This is indeed a very balanced design. Floating open shelves on either side of the stove are framed by the textured pattern of the matching light fixtures. A discordant element which is not symmetrical but rather organic is the installation of the art in the bar area. I purposely installed the art in this way because it creates tension and interest.
Your colour palette embraces contrast. What are your tips for homeowners looking to create a contrasting coluor palette in their own kitchens?
Take inspiration from art – Franz Klein is a great example. While the Marquina archway creates a tonal contrast within the space; the Silestone Iconic White countertop complements the Calacatta Gold on the back wall with more subtleness and nuance.
Do you have any kitchen design tips for homeowners thinking about remodeling or building?
Don’t be fooled and think you can do it yourself, invest and hire a qualified architect and interior designer. It will save you time, money, stress and ensure that your space functions with style that reflects you. You will have a comprehensive drawing package that is the essential component for the team and project management by your professionals is essential.
