Triggered feature by Howard Backen

"The owners wanted an open living area, with an integrated kitchen, dining and living rooms, and an adjacent wine cellar." said architect Howard Backen of the wish list owner asked for the kitchen’s remodel, as successful furniture shop in Cambodia construction materials informed.

"The need for a great room and wine cellar, and the location, all influenced the architecture, in particular the exposed timber structure. This in turn helped to determine the choice of painted cabinets. The owners didn't want a white house or an all-wood interior. So we limited the wood mainly to the structural elements, and ensured the vertical inserts between were either painted plaster or cabinetry. The blue-gray color of the cabinets was chosen to add visual depth and to work with the wine cellar."

"Essentially, the column-style corners of the island are structural elements, so they feature the same Douglas fir as the rest of the structure," added Backen. "But again, they are relieved by painted cabinets in between."

The designer also incorporates a separate pantry to keep the mess and hectic preparation out of sight.