House Magazine - Long Island's premier design architecture & lifestyle magazine

Showcase Kitchens –
Eco-friendly, practical and unique!

This kitchen renovation was designed by Luis Viteri, senior designer at Showcase Kitchens for more than 20 years. The firm is celebrating its 75th year and four generations of family ownership. Viteri worked closely with general contractor Todd Mitchell of Mitco Construction to make the design come to life.

An extension to this North Shore of Long Island home doubled the size of the original kitchen to 430 square feet. The large space provided plenty of room to fulfill all aspects of the client's vision: a transitional kitchen that was both pretty and practical - one in which they could cook and entertain their frequent guests with ease.

Viteri recommended natural light bamboo cabinetry with a Shaker door style. The cabinetry is Custom by Showcase Kitchens. "Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly building materials there is," said Viteri. "It's sturdy and solid, yet it grows extremely fast and is therefore rapidly renewable." A butcher block area is attached to the large island. Brazilian cherry hardwood floors provide a beautiful contrast to the light bamboo cabinets.

The kitchen features two ovens, one gas and one electric; a gas cook top; two dishwashers, a full-size one by the sink and an 18"-size in the island. A beverage center is ideal to hold bottled water and soda. The gorgeous granite countertop has variations in gold, salmon and beige, which gives a warm feeling. The backsplash is made of glazed ceramic field tile.

This spacious kitchen even has room for a built-in desk with a television above. A floor-to-ceiling bookshelf to the right of the desk holds cookbooks and knickknacks. Other places to display items include a corner shelf and a glass cabinet.

"I didn't want everybody's kitchen, and I didn't get everybody's kitchen. I wanted unique and practical at the same time," said the homeowner. "The results exceeded my expectations."