Embracing Diversity

Unique materials and European-inspired styling give a 70s kitchen a new look that's luxurious, functional and best of all: timeless.

Remodeling the 70s-era kitchen of a contemporary home near Columbus Ohio—the former residence of Wendy's founder Dave Thomas—wasn't a matter of expansion, as it was already integrated into the large great room. But while the layout worked fine for caterers, it wasn't very user friendly for families. It was dated, had woeful lighting and felt downright forlorn. The owners—an active family of five—wanted to a state-of-the-art contemporary kitchen that would give them uncongested workflow for home cooking and entertaining, plus distinctive materials that would age well and not appear trendy over time.

Donna Rosenthal of Bella Casa was primed. "The homeowners' ability to visualize and willingness to think outside the box left me unencumbered to exploit my creative ideas," she says. Working with the existing pickled floors in the rest of the home was one limitation, but that didn't stifle her from coming up with a spectacular palette to work with it. Her materials read like a world tour. On the floor is stone quarried in Pakistan with veins of sand, ochre and deep terracotta. Afromosia Teak lower cabinetry gets the sleek European treatment with flush profile and minimal spacing between openings. Mocha-stained concrete countertops will develop patina over time, and Venetian handcrafted gold leaf and copper glass tile line the counter-to-ceiling backsplash.

The stainless steel Sub-Zero built-in also makes a timeless statement. "The clean architectural lines of the Sub-Zero as well as the Wolf cooktop are consistent with the sleek European look we were trying to achieve," says Rosenthal. "They also provide state-of-the-art ergonomic function, and their name and reputation exude a status commensurate with high-end, upscale kitchens."