The Luxury Kitchen, Defined
Contemporary luxury kitchen featuring geometric design elements. Interior Design by Michelle Murphy, MPM Interiors, Photography by Catherine Nguyen Photography
We often hear the term “luxury” when it comes to premium products such as watches, clothes, and cars but what elements does a luxury living space such as a kitchen entail?
My associates at Hampton Kitchens and I recently attended an industry function called “Luxury Defined,” hosted by The National Kitchen & Bath Association and sponsored by Cambria, a quartz surfacing manufacturer. We came away from the summit with many interesting and new thoughts about luxury kitchens and what the term signifies within our industry. After an animated discussion with the team considering what the summit highlighted, I combined my experience with what we learned to share with readers what we, at Hampton Kitchens, believe to be the key ingredients that consist of a true luxury kitchen.
A few months ago my partner Bailey and I remodeled our very own personal kitchen. Our (nearly) finished new kitchen is not large from a square footage standpoint; however, I would submit that it qualifies as a luxury kitchen. We are extremely proud of our craftsmanship and the overall outcome of our spectacular new kitchen and I could not have done this level of work on my own and I believe that, as a Kitchen and Bath Design firm, it is among our best work overall. When I say ‘firm’ I am extending credit and thanks to the combined expertise and creativity of the Hampton Kitchens Design Team who had significant input in the project, Erin Cordes and Brandy Bridges. Why do I believe our newly remolded kitchen is a luxury kitchen? It contains several key elements that ultimately take a high-quality kitchen remodeling project to the next level, a finished luxury kitchen.
What makes a kitchen a luxury kitchen?
Customized and professionally designed.
I started with the design of the space first. Bailey and I wanted a living space customized to our lifestyle, and one of our desires was to have a kitchen in which we could seamlessly work in tandem. I opened the wall to our living area, moving the large screen TV to an opposite wall so it is visible from the kitchen when wanted, and it changed the whole area to what now feels like elegant living quarters for us. We use that area for so much more now. We transformed the separate areas into one larger living (and “breathing”) area that is so comfortable and inviting that others, who have similar floor plans, have visited to see what was accomplished. The total addition of livable space has been wonderful. Luxurious? We think so!
Quality in all of the right places.
Please note: This is an amateur photo from an iPhone and professional photos are coming after final paint, the only remaining finishing touch.
Most people would say that expensive products equate to luxury, but I think there is more to luxury than a high price tag, and that something more is the quality of the material and craftsmanship. We used my premium quality product line WoodMode for the cabinetry. It’s the business I fell in love with back in 1974 and I admit to being a “cabinet snob” as Erin puts it. I love really finely made, furniture-grade custom cabinetry and fine finishes. I used a combination of 1” thick doors in solid walnut, walnut interiors, and fully accessorized in my base cabinets and 1” thick doors, white-painted, with walnut interiors on my wall cabinets. I am showing off and I admit it, but I do love how it turned out! The hardware, guides, hinges, and operating parts are what I call “butter.” Luxury? I know so!
In addition to the finest cabinetry we opted for a luxury name-brand all gas range, and to our delight, it has been a sweet and worthwhile investment. The slick premium new range was the one and the only item Bailey said she had always wanted in a kitchen (side note…I think it was the red knobs that won her over). As a result of this high-quality investment, we have been thrilled with the functions, features, and overall feel of this cooking appliance. This is the one place that along with the price associated with the appliance’s brand, the brand name and brand’s reputation further reinforces the luxuriousness of our kitchen.
Decadent materials that seduce senses.
The countertop that Bailey and I chose ended up being a shock to my professional sensibilities yet a wonderfully surprising element that we incorporated in our design. Bailey and I frequently work in our kitchen, and because of our lifestyle, we wanted a product that was practical and durable. As well as I know kitchen materials, we felt like we just could not find our ideal countertop. We looked all over and just never felt excited about the colors we reviewed, nothing really sparked much joy for us. We did agree on the appeal of the dynamic look and colors which marble exuded, but for me, there was a problem with choosing a marble. I always warn my clients to be cautious when it comes to what marble really is and neither Bailey nor I wanted to incur the potential issues that are associated with marble. Finally, we visited with my wonderful fabricator, Jason Hetzell, and he walked us out on his “yard” which was in the sparkling sun of a lovely day, and beheld the perfect material for us. She was singing as lovely as if she was the SEIRENES and we could not divert our gazes from this luminous piece of glittering stone and her sisters! We tried our best to avoid her, cursed her, turned our back on her, and yet, we kept coming back. I tried rationalizing all the negatives about marble, but she kept insistently singing. We ended up purchasing the most gorgeous marble, Louisa Blue, and continue to be happy with our decision even though we have dinged her and etched her already. We would never have been as pleased with anything else. Luxury? We think so, as we continue to hear Ms. Louisa’s song and we feel decadently royal every time we enter our luxury kitchen.
The subtle details.
Lastly the final element, but most certainly not the least of our considerations (no apologies for the cliché usage here) is a design feature where many kitchen designs fall short, or are overlooked entirely, is the extremely impactful element of lighting. For many years I have known the magical effect that professionally designed lighting can produce in a kitchen. I also know that the lack thereof or amateurly placed lighting can completely ruin a kitchen’s entire ambiance. Our kitchen was no exception to these facts. With incredible interior and countertop lighting from Hafele, and expert guidance by a wonderful industry colleague of mine, Karyn Reilley, CKD, NCIDQ, the exceptional effect and ambiance that the lighting creates in our kitchen unassumingly creates the ultimate ‘wow’ factor. Initially, I was not particularly enamored with the look of 6” or even 4” recessed cans in the ceiling and none of the 2” lights seemed to put out enough light for our needs. Karyn put me on to a manufacturer of 2” LED lamps that have been incredible and look like diamonds in the ceiling. We have plenty of light but we also have the ability to change our lighting and create looks that please us and our guests. We are thrilled!
What is a luxury kitchen?
It’s a feeling that occurs when you enter a kitchen and glimpse what you behold to be wonderous, similar to that feeling when you wear a premium article of clothing, drive a fine quality vehicle, or experience something ‘extraordinary’ by our own terms. A luxurious experience or item does not have to be expensive, though it may well be, but it should always bring you an exquisite feeling of joy and satisfaction.