For
many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. For homeowners Tony and
Jaclene Ngai, it’s the heart and soul. An architect and builder, Tony
Ngai designed their home around the kitchen. It is, quite literally,
the center of attention.
“All
roads lead to the kitchen,” Jaclene says, “because that’s the focus of
our house. Every room can be seen from the kitchen. It’s meant to be
that way–open and welcoming.”
To
create a kitchen of classic good taste, the couple relied on Mark
Shigei of Snaidero Hawaii. East graciously meets West in Shigei’s
design, with Snaidero’s Italian style perfectly complementing the
Japanese influences in the home.
From
any vantage point in Shigei’s remarkable design, the view is 180
degrees away from ordinary. Through paneled glass doors, you can see
the courtyard and garden, reminiscent of those found in Kyoto. Through
low Japanese-style windows, bamboo trees sway and water falls into a
stone pond in tiers. The fluidity of design may extend outside the home
but, as always, beauty is found within.
The
focal point of this Snaidero kitchen is a large, accommodating,
18-foot-long island with a distinctive black granite countertop, a
place where people congregate. “When Mark Shigei designed the island as
the center, it was easy to see, that was the way to go,” Jaclene says.
Recently, the Ngais entertained 50 of their family and friends for
Christmas dinner.
“People
always go to the kitchen when they come to visit,” Tony says. The
guests gathered around the island to socialize while Jaclene finished
cooking. Two turkeys, a ham, four homemade cakes and an assortment of
holiday favorites were spread out over the counter and on the glass
shelf perched above the counter. Stunned by the Snaidero kitchen and
open space, local restaurant owners have told the Ngais: “Oh, we want
this.”
Shigei
says the Snaidero look is classic minimalist, and informal as well as
formal. “This is a good example of what the trend is in Italy,” he
says. “The color is metallic silver with a slight tint of taupe, and it
goes with just about everything.”
Jaclene agrees. “What’s wonderful about the Snaidero design is, it’s classic although very contemporary.”
In
Shigei’s design, the entire kitchen is clean and uncluttered. Its
angular lines and shape respond to the angular walls of the room. The
sleek, distinctly Snaidero look is enhanced by an array of Kuppersbusch
appliances: two 36-inch ovens, a luminous six-burner natural-gas stove
and an induction wok with pan-overheat detection to facilitate the
beauty of cooking. A GE Monogram undercounter wine cooler keeps the
Pellegrino water perfectly chilled. Behind two elegant cabinet doors
hide the expansive Sub-Zero Series 700 refrigerator and freezer.
If
home is where the heart is, you feel its pulse in this Snaidero
kitchen. “It’s a very integral part of the house,” Jaclene says. “In
some homes, you feel as if you’re afraid to cook in the kitchen. Ours
is functional and very beautiful to look at. I don’t think it will be
out of date 10 years from now, because Snaidero is practical, it’s
timeless.”
| >> WHERE TO GET IT |
Designer: Mark Shigei, AIA, of Snaidero Hawaii
Architect: Anthony K. Ngai, AIA, of A.K. Ngai, Architect Inc.
Counters: Absolute black granite, from Selective Stone; glass counter, from Alii Glass & Metal Inc.
Cabinetry: IDEA silver grey metallized lacquer finish, from Snaidero
Refrigerator: Built-in integrated model, from Sub-Zero
Freezer: Built-in integrated model with ice maker, from Sub-Zero
Ovens: 36” singles, from Kupperbusch
Gas Cooktop: 24” and 12” wide, from Kupperbusch
Induction Cooktop: Wok with wok pan, from Kupperbusch
Sink: KUBUS double bowl undermount, from Franke
Dishwasher: Euro-height fully integrated, from Gaggenau |
