For the last five years shelter magazine House Beautiful has collaborated with a renowned kitchen designer to create and build a Kitchen of the Year, which goes on display in Rockefeller Center for one week every July. This year "America's Dream Kitchen" was designed by Mick de Giulio, and I had the pleasure of walking through the kitchen on Monday - well, if you can call it simply a "kitchen," and I don't think you can!
This 1,000-square-foot "kitchen conservatory" is actually two fully-functioning kitchens (indoor and outdoor) with a separate butler's pantry, "morning area" bar, and top-notch detailing. (The sinks and tile are stunning.) It's really a full-on living space, where food and cooking anchor the home.
First of all, a little about designer Mick de Giulio: Mr. de Giulio has two Chicago area showrooms, including one at LuxeHome in Chicago's Merchandise Mart. He founded his kitchen design company 25 years ago and is internationally respected for his innovative kitchen architecture and product designs. His inspiration for the Kitchen of the Year came from his own kitchen, the central place in his home: "The hierarchy of the home is changing because of the design of kitchens," he told us. "The kitchen is #1 in the house - i'ts not the living room, it's not the dining room, it's not the family room. Those are [from] years past. Today it's the kitchen."
Close up of the shimmery Ann Sacks tile in the "morning area."
This year's Kitchen of the Year is classic, with a little bit of glam: white Ceasarstone countertops, shimmery white and gold leaf tiles, mirrored backsplashes, and glass shelving make the space feel light and open. But lest you forget it's a custom kitchen, the finer details make all the difference: a moving backsplash behind the stove hides a shallow pantry perfect for keeping spices within reach; the "appliance" garage on the side breakfast bar also slides to both reveal and hide appliances; special "whisper touch" technology on the Kraftmaid cabinets ensures a soft close; and a built-in office cabinet in the front of the kitchen island enables you to bring your office to the kitchen.
If you see something you like, the resource list below should cover it!
Cabinetry:: "White Dove" color with door style "Sedona" by Kraftmaid. Price varies.
Appliances and Induction Cooktop: The Ice Collection from Whirlpool, which is special because of its brushed silver accents (like the handles) against a white body. (This as opposed to an all-white or an all stainless-steel appliance, which is more standard.)
- Side-by-Side Refrigerator, $2,299
- Gold Series Dishwasher with Sensor Cycle, $599
- Gold 30-inch Electric Induction Cooktop, $1,399
- Combination Microwave Wall Oven with Convection Cooking, $2,849
Countertops: "Fair Lady Supremo 1650" by Caesarstone, $75-$100 per square feet installed.
Sinks and Faucets: Kohler with colors by Jonathan Adler.
- Whitehaven Self-Trimming Under-Mount Single-Bowl Sink with Tall Apron in Greenwich Green, $1,795
- Iron/Tones Kitchen Sink in Annapolis Navy, $1,295
- Riverby Kitchen Sink in Annapolis Navy, $1,395
Paint "White on White" by Glidden and "Arctic Night" by Glidden (on ceiling in butler's pantry). Price varies.
Flooring: "SW183 Gold Rush Walnut, color 940 Klondike Walnut" by Shaw, $8.00 - 8.99/sq. ft. Made with 50% recycled wood materials. The herringbone pattern in the butler's pantry is also by Shaw, the it's a custom design by Mr. de Giulio.
Tiles: "Davlin in white goldleaf" by Ann Sacks, $116.28 per square foot.
Drawer Inserts and Shelving: Container Store
Outdoor Wood-Burning Oven and Stones: Belgard, price varies.
Read More: 2012 Kitchen of the Year at House Beautiful
Related: A Peek Into House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year 2010
(Images: 1, 3, 7, 11, 16. Sarah Bonk for House Beautiful; all others by Cambria Bold)
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Straw Mat from The ...
Must-See Small Cool Homes: Week Two
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
That silvery subway tile is dreaaaaamy.
"chefs always ask for induction cooktops"? is that true? I always thought gas was preferred.
Where can I get those shelves? I'm not seeing this at container store.
It's like they read my mind. I don't know why they wasted that space inside with the little fireplace/telly/seating area though; set me up a bed and I'd live in this kitchen! ;)
While dreamy, the tile, the sink, and the hammered stainless steel countertop *swoon* is outside my price range, but I love starring at it all nonetheless. I am confused as to what's going to happen to this kitchen at the end of its one-week exhibition though. Will it be torn down? The expense of these materials seems extremely wasteful.
Herms,
I believe they donate everything. Last year they donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Awesome! That is going to be one extremely lucky family!
I love this kitchen!
My kitchen redo has a cheaper way to do to glam. I'm paneling some walls in sheet mirror and using Metro Chrome shelves in front. I'm hanging my stainless cook ware on some of the shelves (in front of a picture window where they act as a foodie's valence!) and using Metro's garment rack and swivel hooks to do that. And if I can find someone in northeastern Kansas (any one out there), two of the countertops will be in stainless. I'm going induction, but keeping the Cooktek burners as portable. I'm saving money by using tool drawers for lower cabinets. Love induction, not sure it's totally evolved. Look up Cooktek's partnership with Alinea in Chicago about chefs liking induction. I think this KOY series is wonderful for showcasing new ideas that allow us mere mortals to be more creative. I still think that Mick might have been wiretapping my brain. My kitchen do-over has been percolating for about 15 years!