Dream Kitchens & Baths Fall/Winter 2022

HOW MUCH IMPACT DOES LOCATION HAVE ON A HOME’S STYLE? We associate certain characteristics with houses that dot the coast and think we know what to expect from cabins sat at the foot of a mountain, but sometimes, homeowners and designers look past a house’s setting, consider international influence, and dare to transform kitchens and baths into one-way tickets to global destinations. For example, designer Alessia Zanchi Loffredo, inspired by her travels to France, paired contrasting finishes with a limestone-and-marble floor to give an Illinois kitchen European flair in “The French Effect” on page 12. And when Minnesota homeowners wanted their primary bath to feel like a seaside resort, interior designer Heather Peterson incorporated rattan, leafy sconces, and floral wallpaper to bring everything her clients love about the beach north…

The definition of luxury varies from homeowner to homeowner. For some, it means outfitting a room with high-end technology; others might turn to high-quality materials to cultivate glamour. At their core, though, spaces that feel ultra-luxe blend functionality with beauty, offer convenience through amenities, and have a comforting ambience. We asked designers how they’ve mastered creating a sense of grandeur in kitchens and baths. Often the key is an addition or upgrade that can make all the difference. MARBLE BACKSPLASH A sprawling marble backsplash delivers an unrivaled high-end look. When DIYer Angela Rose (@angelarosehome on Instagram) first saw this piece at the slab yard, it took her breath away. “It looks like a stormy sea and is unique,” she says. “It is like an art piece.” REEDED GLASS This swap…

HANDCRAFTED: If you are an artisan aficionado, look no further than this hand-cut mosaic. Vibrant red, emerald green, and soft blue meld together in an Italian-inspired look. Alcazar Grander (pricing available upon request). New Ravenna, newravenna.com MARBLE EFFECT: Lightning bolt-like veins ripple through this extra-glossy porcelain stoneware. Position a slab floor-to-ceiling and it’s a masterpiece. La Marmoteca in Blue Denim (pricing varies). Gardenia Orchidea, gardenia.it IRREGULAR: Mismatched white arches create an illusion of movement among monochrome terrazzo tiles. Geotzzo Ribbon Black Field Decorative Honed 15 3/4-inch × 1513/16-inch × 3/8-inch Terrazzo ($145 per sq. foot). Artistic Tile, artistictile.com NATURE-INSPIRED: Get lost in the hypnotic waves and ridges of this bright green backdrop, made from the protective gemstone malachite. Deborah Osburn Malachite Nine Piece Medley ($89.70 per sq. foot). clé tile,…

SHAPELY HANDLES: Brass knobs filled with pearlescent resin epitomize the splendor of baroque design. Levi HCRM (pricing available upon request). Worlds Away, worlds-away.com ORNAMENTAL MIRROR: An iron-frame mirror with an intricate, hand-forged design gives this piece a sense of antiquity. Beaudry Mirror in Brass ($599). Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com FLORAL WALLPAPER: Step back in time with lush botanical designs. A green backdrop allows the golden flora to pop. Herbarium Antique Wallpaper in Forest Green ($134 per roll). Milton & King, miltonandking.com METALLIC GLOW: A detailed brass backplate adds drama to an already eye-catching candelabra. Cast Brass Wall Mount 9 ½-inch High 2-Light Wall Sconce ($330). Lamps Plus, lampsplus.com…

EVEN THE CLOSEST OF FAMILIES NEED A LITTLE ELBOW ROOM. Although Peggy and Mike Salvino’s Burr Ridge, Illinois, home had enough square footage to accommodate them and their six children, the family felt cramped when everyone gathered in the kitchen. A U-shape layout, 8-foot ceilings, and dark cabinetry made the room look small. Last-century accents, including stenciling above the cabinets and backsplash tiles depicting fruits and vegetables, felt dated. The kitchen needed a top-to-bottom makeover. Peggy, who has a background in design, and Mike, the cook of the family, had individual needs for the space and their own ideas for its look. They sought direction from Alessia Zanchi Loffredo of reDesign Home, whose contemporary freshness and European style masterfully blended their visions. First, though, Loffredo and architect Patrick Plunkett had…

NESTLED IN CALIFORNIA’S SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, the town of Calabasas is steeped in Spanish history. Its very name comes from the Spanish word for pumpkin, a nod to the vast fields of wild gourds that dominated the landscape when Spanish explorers arrived in the 1700s. It seems appropriate, then, that a home tucked into the town’s hills would be reimagined in a modern Spanish style that echoes the area’s past. For interior designer Denise Morrison, who spearheaded the whole-house renovation, that meant setting weighty elements that suggest a Spanish influence against a light palette to create a more contemporary look. Her clever design makes the kitchen feel both cozy and airy. Oak floors, ceiling beams, and cabinetry are solid and enduring, but not overbearing. The designer added drama to the…