A Kitchen can be the center of a modern home and a point for visual intrigue. The days of small tucked-away kitchens are long gone, we now create grand, visually striking kitchens on theme with the overall home design.
A large, beautiful kitchen is more than a place to cook; it is the heart of the home. This luxurious space can serve as a stunning focal point and a complementary backdrop to the rest of your design. Achieving balance between the kitchen’s grandeur and the home’s overall harmony is key, as the kitchen has become the most important design feature in the modern home.
I am Jorge Fontan, an architect in New York and the owner of Fontan Architecture, a Manhattan-based architecture and design firm. At our office, we work on various project types, including all forms of residential remodeling and new construction, and of course, loft gut renovations. Let’s look at a beautiful, modern 40-foot kitchen in this luxury loft apartment we designed.
Open Plan
When renovating a home, apartment, or, in this case, a 4,000-square-foot loft, a pivotal decision is whether to adopt an open-plan layout. This design integrates the kitchen, living, and dining areas into a single, cohesive area—often called “The Great Room.” That is the approach we took in this loft apartment.
Below you can see the open plan layout of the apartment. The kitchen is against one wall extending the full length of the forty by forty foot open plan living area. The living room features high ceilings, with columns and beams, as well as large windows which are all part of the original character which makes lofts such a unique part of New York City real estate.
If you want to learn more about lofts we have another article you can read on the Architectural Characteristics of New York City Lofts.
NYC Loft with Open Plan Design
Designed for Function and Aesthetics
Utilizing the available space, we designed a large kitchen island that perfectly complements the area. This kitchen features two key design elements that make it unique. First, the client preferred that all dining be incorporated directly into the island, eliminating the need for a separate dining table. Second, we divided the island into distinct sections based on their specific use. Each of the three sections is built to a different height to accommodate its function.
Custom NYC Kitchen Design With Island
The Bar
The first section of the kitchen is the bar. From right to left along the back wall, you can see the bar, which has dark mirror shelves, a granite countertop, and an under-counter fridge. Then there is a wine fridge with a cabinet above. This apartment is a loft, so we had very high ceilings to work with here. This height allowed for a great deal of additional storage and for us to hide ventilation ducts to serve the linear diffusers along the top of the cabinets. When designing a luxury home to this level, we must incorporate everything into one cohesive design.
After the wine fridge are the wall ovens and more storage cabinets. Wall ovens are such a nice convenience. You do not have to bend over to use them, and they look pretty nice. There are many options and combinations you can use. Here, we have an oven, a warming drawer, a speed oven, and a convection/steam oven.
The first section of the kitchen island has the highest countertop height, which is the bar stool area. We designed this part of the island for casual, informal use, which is why we used barstools and a higher height. The countertop has a leathered granite finish sitting on top of a burnished metal base.
Kitchen Island with Bar Stool Seating in NYC
The Built-In Dining Table
The owners of this loft did not want a dining table; instead, they wanted the dining area entirely built into the island. We made the center portion of the island the dining table and lowered it to table height, making it the lowest of the three tiers.
Kitchen Island with Built-In Dining Table
Kitchen Island Serving Station
The final section of the island is the serving station. This surface is the only part of the island built to standard kitchen-counter height. The countertop is a beautiful marble that blends seamlessly with the rest of the kitchen design. The surface is used for serving and prep work.
Kitchen Island Serving Station
Kitchen Details
In a kitchen of this caliber every detail is custom made. The hood enclosure is a good example. This is a custom burnished metal hood designed to blend with the overall theme of the design which was elevated and modern industrial.
The cooktop is also recessed into the countertop which is a very sleek look. All these small details are what make this kitchen so special.
You can see the rest of this apartment in our article: Inside a Bespoke New York City Loft.
Modern Kitchen Design Details
Custom Kitchen in a Luxury Loft
A true luxury kitchen must be custom made and custom designed. A fully bespoke home is planned meticulously for the homeowners taste and lifestyle. At Fontan Architecture we work closely with our clients to create a home that represents them and that they can be proud of.
If you are considering a project, contact us at Fontan Architecture for a consultation. We can help you determine feasibility and provide complete design services. We guide you through every step of the process from concept to approvals and all the way through construction, until your home is move-in ready. We offer both vision and expert architectural services to ensure your project is a success.
Request a Consultation with Fontan Architecture
Jorge Fontan, AIA, is an architect and founder of Fontan Architecture based in New York City. The firm focuses on residential design, including new homes and extensive renovations for discerning clients. Through collaborative dialogue that draws on the individuality of each client, projects develop as distinct architectural responses guided by thoughtful planning, precise detailing, and a commitment to creating enduring value.
