(^4) .BE HONEST
“For this home, I liked the idea of some-
thing very simple and humble,” De Giulio
says. “There are no exotic veneers, metals,
or stone.” Authenticity and artisanship
make their own statement.
Plank board walls recall the familiar
shiplap of farmhouse style. Exposed ceil-
ing beams and white oak cabinetry wear a
whitewash finish that allows the grain to
peek through. “There are crosscut saw
marks on every door—elements of tex-
ture,” De Giulio says.
“The cabinetry isn’t a focal point—it’s a
backdrop,” he says. “It was fun to think in a
different way with the cabinets and coun-
ters not the focus of attention.”
Countertops are a simple type of honed
marble. Humble hot-rolled steel frames
shelves and forms the insert for the venti-
lation hood. The refrigerators stand un-
cloaked by cabinetry panels. “They look
like two honest refrigerators,” De Giulio
says. “Things here are what they are.”
5
.ACE THE
GEOMETRY TEST
“This design is different in that it’s non-
aligned—not axial like many of my de-
signs,” De Giulio says. “That makes it feel
more layered and more informal.”
The island cozies up near the fridge,
but it’s not rigidly plumb-lined with the
edge of the cooling wall. Nor does it unnec-
essarily sprawl to match up with the cook-
top table. Nothing is forced; everything
feels comfortable.
“Proportions are really well-consid-
ered,” De Giulio says. “In fact, proportion
is my favorite thing about this kitchen.”
Attention is paid to details as small as
the fine line between each wall plank—“it
gives a horizontal feeling that’s calming,”
the designer says. And that proves his axi-
om: A great kitchen has a magic that trans-
forms the physical room into a feeling.Cooktop Built into a pine console, the Wolf
rangetop is fed by a gas line ingeniously hidden
in a hefty table leg. Designer Mick De Giulio.
Sink While it’s surrounded by Carrara marble, the
sink is actually tough stainless steel. Teak cutting
boards slide where they’re needed. Ovens A Wolf
oven, convection oven, and warming drawer
share space in a freestanding console. De Giulio
gave its stainless-steel sides a shiplap look.92 TH September/October 2019