Designed to capture the character that Charleston's early settlers brought from Barbados, this kitchen features lots of glass that invites natural light into the space. A mix of finishes, including dark maple cabinetry, light countertops and stainless steel wall tiles laid in a horizontal pattern, provide a look of cool sophistication.
Builder Kevin Kalman wanted the custom-built cabinetry in the kitchen and the butler's pantry (below) to look like furniture, and KraftMaid executed his idea flawlessly. "We did not want to have anything that gave the illusion of being a desk," Kalman says. "We never include desks in our kitchens anymore. They just always seem to become a messy spot. Who wants people to walk in and see their work or mail lying around?"

Inspired by the residential architecture of Barbados, where abundant windows and doors open to capture ocean breezes, this 4,500-square-foot, spec-built beauty in Charleston, S.C., features a floor plan that wraps around an open-air piazza.

Nearly every room in this Daniel Island residence has direct outdoor access, including the heart of the home - its centrally located kitchen. This space can be transformed from a cozy everyday gathering spot for the family to a roomy staging area for large-scale parties simply by opening a pair of oversize French doors that link it to covered space in the courtyard.

"Throw open the doors to the piazza, and instantly you go from having a space that is 20 feet wide and 18 feet long to one that's over 40 feet long," builder Kevin Kalman says.

The kitchen includes a two-tier island equally suited for use as a sit-down snack bar or a serving buffet. Oversize, commercial-grade appliances, including a 48-inch refrigerator, a 48-inch cooktop, a warming drawer and dual ovens, complement the kitchen's generous counter space and custom cabinetry.

A butler's pantry adjoining the kitchen functions as a secondary meal preparation area if additional work space is needed. It features the same mix of dark wood cabinetry and stainless steel finishes that give the main kitchen its West Indies flavor. The butler's pantry contains a full complement of commercial-grade appliances, including a 36-inch refrigerator, a warming drawer, an undercounter wine cooler and an ice-maker.

"The butler's pantry really makes it easy for multiple people to use the kitchen at the same time," Kalman says. "It is really an ideal spot for caterers' use during a party." It also has direct access to the home's rear hallway and parking area - a much-appreciated convenience for those loading and unloading supplies.

The home, which Kalman Construction built as a 2003 showcase home, was completed in November 2002 and sold in the spring of 2003.

Style of home | Traditional with Barbados influences
Location | Charleston, S.C.
Total square footage | 4,500
Estimated market value | $1.75 million
Builder/interior design | Kalman Construction Corp., Charleston
Architect | Schmitt Sampson Walker Architects, Charleston
Home Magazine showcase home

Major Products Used | Appliances: KitchenAid | Cabinetry: KraftMaid | Countertops: DuPont Zodiaq | Tile: Walker Zanger | Doors: Masonite | Sinks/faucets: American Standard, Porcher | Light fixtures: Progress | Door hardware: Baldwin | Paints/stains: Benjamin Moore | Windows: Jeld-Wen (Pozzi)

Photography by Josh Gibson

About the Author

Ann Matesi, Contributing Editor

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