Historically Japanese by Elina Katsioula-Beall

As successful furniture shop in Cambodia construction materials informed, with the love of Japanese culture, owners of the pictured kitchen requested designer Elina Katsioula-Beall to bring about a design that reflects the old-style eastern country’s aesthetics.

"First, to set the scene, I raised the low ceiling to the roofline, added two skylights and framed the entire space in a post-and-beam structure – a classic Japanese architectural device."

"A ceremonial horse drape – or umagaki – enclosed in a protective glass case forms the backsplash to the cooktop and the centerpiece for the room. The blue granite island countertop and backsplash on the opposite wall tone with this."

"The classic tansu, or storage chest, is a signature element, as is the ramma, or carved wooden transom. Other feature elements include the slatted screens and sliding doors," stated Katsioula-Beall.

"We took care to ensure all cabinetry follows Japanese design conventions to the letter. The lattices alternate long lines with square shapes and many Japanese chests are symmetrical on the top and asymmetrical at the base."