Bright colors, streamlined cabinetry, and creative touches combine within this kitchen built to get an artistic Maryland family. The owners have four kids and love to entertain, so the distance had to have the ability to accommodate that. Architect and designer Mark Melonas of LUKE WORKS also confronted the challenge of casting an older home to match the couple’s distinctive style.

Working with interior designer Sarah Reed, Melonas doubled the kitchen area, took out the old cabinetry and appliances, and additional contemporary replacements and the couple’s personal touches. “It is really rare that a kitchen is this private,” says Melonas. “These clients plan on staying here a very long time, so they desired it to be specific.”

Mark Melonas LUKE WORKS

Red accent shade was among the few things that the clients insisted on. The island is made of bamboo plywood, confronted with a exceptional resin panel.

Resin confront: 3-form Varia Eco-Resin, Highland pattern
Refrigerator: KitchenAid built-in 42″ French Door

Mark Melonas LUKE WORKS

The kitchen is a big and open space with a great deal of wall space, so Melonas indicated a painted mural. He showed the owners that the job of Michael Owen, who did the Baltimore Love Project. They fell in love with his work and contacted him to get a customized painting. “His job is magnificent,” says Melonas. “He covered all their kitchen walls within an amazing abstracted conglomeration of those cities they have lived”

The cabinetry was custom made by Melonas and LUKE WORKS. The very simple and frameless cabinets are domestic maple. Doors and drawer fronts are vertical-grain caramel bamboo.

Cabinetry: Teragren Bamboo
Double Wall Oven: KitchenAid Double Combination Oven

Mark Melonas LUKE WORKS

Melonas and LUKE WORKS created the countertops with their custom concrete aggregate. The main counters are a combination colored with recycled ceramic and crushed mirror, giving them a light sparkle. The wooden bar is strong 1-1/2 inch caramel bamboo, while the island ring is custom-dyed “lukecrete.”

For a different red accent, the couple had a red bowl produced by glass artist Anthony Corradetti for the depression in the island circle.

Backsplash: AKDO glass ring mosaics at Mojave
Range: KitchenAid Even-Heat Griddle

Mark Melonas LUKE WORKS

Deciding on the lighting, colors, and materials to get this area was an organic process for both Melonas and Reed. The blend of custom work, bold lighting, pops of color — and of course the unbelievable wall mural — led to a really kitchen.

Sink: Domain Name Industries Stratus
Pendants: Corbett Vertigo Pendant
Red pendants: ET2

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