A kitchen with no defined style... that has it all
Where others see a blueprint, we see possibilities.
When this client contacted us, her need was clear: she had a spectacular modern country house-style villa, but the kitchen wasn't up to par. It was dark, disproportionate, and its layout undermined the space's potential.
The challenge was twofold: to give light and life to the kitchen without breaking the general aesthetic of the house... or pigeonholing itIt shouldn't look too modern, but it shouldn't fall into the predictable classicism that this type of housing often demands.
What did we do?
The first step was to look beyond the floor plan. Where was light being lost? Which areas had the most potential? The answer was right next door: the laundry room, located at the entrance of the house, received all the natural light... while the kitchen was left in shadow.
Our proposal was clear: merge the laundry room and kitchen to transform the layout. By relocating the laundry room to the basement, we freed up space, gained light, and opened up new design possibilities.
Materials that balance tradition and modernity
The great challenge was to maintain the villa's soul without falling into decorative excess. That's why we opted for an unusual combination:
- Low doors in open-pore lacquered natural oak, in taupe. With elegant panels and handles to maintain the classic feel.
- Tall doors in beige lacquer, smooth and without handles, which provide visual cleanliness and a more contemporary feel.
- Porcelain countertop with soft veins, subtle but sophisticated.
- Invisible hood and modern lighting fixtures (designed by Illusion) for a clean and functional finish.
- Concealed breakfast bar with retractable door, natural oak and a pull-out steel table: a practical and aesthetic solution for hiding small appliances without sacrificing comfort.
The detail that changes everything
When it seemed that everything was under control… the pillar appeared.
One of those unexpected twists and turns that renovations sometimes throw at us: the structural wall was obscuring a pillar right in the center of the space. We had to redesign the island to integrate it without disrupting the flow of the design or obstructing access to the wine cellar.
Solutions like this don't come in catalogs: they come from judgment and experience.
A kitchen that feels part of the house
The client said it best:
“I'm new to the kitchen, but thanks to the design and the colors chosen, it looks like it came with the house.”
That was the goal. And we achieved it.
But we also achieved something else: creating a space where she could be. Literally. He wanted a rest area to read and spend time with his dogs. Our proposal was a upholstered button-tufted sofa, with a structure that matches the kitchen, perfectly integrated and functional. A small corner that proves that design can also be emotional.
“These types of projects are especially motivating for us. Because it's not just about 'making a beautiful kitchen,' but about solving a real problem. When a client comes to us with a challenge (in this case, a disproportionately large kitchen with poor lighting and no defined style), for us it's the best starting point. It pushes us to think, propose, and find real solutions.”
— Yann, Nova Kitchen Concept
