Gene Alger and his wife knew they loved the location of the condominium they bought in an established downtown Seattle high rise, but they also knew the kitchen needed a major remodel before they could call it their own.
“I wanted a very modern kitchen with a substantial sleek look that would be the focal point of conversation when people walked in. I wanted it to be art.” Alger explained.
He also wanted a German-manufactured kitchen because of their long-standing reputations of quality and engineering.
With those parameters in mind, he visited various kitchen showrooms before choosing to work with Cathleen Summers owner of Summers Studio at SieMatic Seattle. Summers is the exclusive Seattle representative of SieMatic; the German-kitchen company manufactures different cabinet collections loosely grouped under three aesthetics: Pure, Urban and Classic.
“I visited her showroom several times before I made my final decision,” Alger said. “Cathleen’s commitment to get everything right and that she would be able to work around my schedule really impressed me.
“I get pretty involved in these things,” he continued. “I was probably in the showroom three Saturdays out of every four to meet with Cathleen over a long period. There are a lot of choices between the three lines and even more if you want to combine elements from the different styles. I enjoy finishes and probably changed the look and product twenty times before we settled on the final design, and the order could be placed.”
Alger’s final choice was from the Pure Collection, which stresses minimalist lines and uses material choices to make an impact. Walnut is the predominant cabinetry material, and it is complemented by Gold Bronze panels in upper cabinets that emphasize the warmth of the wood while maintaining the sleekness that Alger sought. Gold Bronze handles and polished edges of the panels provide a bright note and add depth to the cabinetry. Further brightening the kitchen are puck lights over the back counter and backsplash of Dekton sintered stone material in the Entzo fininsh, which mimics gold hues in Calcutta marble and echoes the tones of the trim and hardware.
“The combination of materials and finishes provide a luxurious and tailored look,” said Summers. “It’s a look that’s bold but inviting.”
Summers also represents Gaggenau appliances, Julien sinks, Dornbracht plumbing faucets and fixtures, and Dekton by Consentino countertops, which were also chosen for use in the project. “We want to offer clients a convenient and curated selection of products that all complement each other,” she said.
In addition to the kitchen, Alger asked Summers to create a segue between the kitchen and living/dining room. In answer, she designed a wall of walnut-paneled cabinetry that includes additional pantry storage, a Gold Bronze framed glass display cabinet and a niche for the television, along with drawers and cabinets to hold home technology wiring, storage for office paraphernalia, and the other associated accessories and materials that accumulate in living rooms.
“I’ve been married for more than 35 years, and our daughters are in their 20s and 30s,” said Alger, “for years, I had messy kitchens, but now even if I have junk in the drawers, no one can see it. I see the whole project as art.”
PROJECT SOURCES
CONTRACTOR
Schultz Miller
www.schultzmiller.com
ARCHITECT
Myhr Architecture
www.myhrarchitecture.com
KITCHEN INTERIOR DESIGN
Summers Studio
www.summers.studio
CABINETRY
SieMatic / Summers Studio
www.siematic-seattle.com
APPLIANCES + PLUMBING FIXTURES
Summers Studio
www.summers.studio
Gaggenau, Dornbracht, Julien
