More than 300 New England architects and designers recently filled the Clarke showroom in Milford, MA for Clarke’s Fourth Annual Designer Appreciation Night.

Clarke awarded trophies to six top designers around New England for their innovative use of Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances in kitchens and other rooms in the home. Clarke’s top three specifiers were also distinguished for their leadership in integration of these high-performance ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, refrigerators, wine storage and more into their vision of what a kitchen could be.

Gerard Ciccarello, CMKBD, owner of Covenant Kitchens & Baths, Inc. won first place in the New England Clarke Sub-Zero Wolf Design Competition. Only awarding six trophies was a tough call when judges were faced with over 60 entries. Clarke is New England's exclusive distributor of High-performance appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf and Asko.

Designer’s Project Description:

LIGHT ON DARK DRAMA

Opulence and high drama set the stage for this well designed open plan kitchen in this newly constructed home which includes a breakfast nook, desk area, posh butler’s pantry and all the amenities. The entire look is balanced around our client’s number one with list entry: a grand scale mantle which frames a six burner range top, perfectly creating the focus and heart of this kitchen.

Project Highlights

Objectives:

• Find a home for a mantle style hood detail over a six burner cook top

• Create a grand appearance that functions well in this walk through kitchen space

• Island with seating for four

Design Challenges:

• The architect originally planned a window at the location that now houses the mantle

• Client wanted clean lines but loved the opulence of crystal and Carrara marble

• The kitchen space connects the mudroom area to the family room so traffic patterns needed high consideration

Design Solutions:

• Work with architect to have our mantle design featured prominently on exterior wall

• Strike the right balance of light and dark and simple design details with glamour

• Double sided glass door cabinet to the left of mantle hood keeps space open but allows for storage and natural light to flow through

• Wide wains paneled opening from living room into kitchen making grander entrance

Design Features:

• Mantle hood focal point flanked by windows left and right

• Foot pedal operated sinks for hands free operation

• Wide drawers for dish storage and pots and pans storage