San Francisco, CA — When you hear that your clients recently moved from Japan after having lived in Tokyo for two decades, it might seem logical to incorporate Asian influences into the renovation of their home to make them feel comfortable. However, Jeni Gamble knew they wanted a different approach.

“There would be no bamboo, no shoji,” says the founder/creative director and LEED AP/NCDIQ at gamble + design in San Francisco, CA, who worked in collaboration with Arrow Builders to remodel this home in the Presidio Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. “That would have felt too contrived. Instead, they were interested in learning more about their new city and creating a home that reflected that area. They also wanted to keep the renovation within the community, so they were also very interested in meeting and working with local artisans who could show them something new.”

Subtle, carefully crafted details

With a sophisticated design eye, Gamble’s clients wanted to transform the previously gaudy and heavily ornamented home into one that showcased a pared-down elegance and serenity imbued with subtle, carefully crafted details and custom pieces from California artisans.

“The home previously had a ton of layered ornamentation,” says the designer. “That may be okay for an old historic home. But for my clients’ home, with its more modern architecture, it just didn’t make sense. So, we stripped away the applied finishes and brought the home back to its original architecture.”

As such, gone was the hodgepodge of random, highly patterned tiles that made up the kitchen’s backsplash. Gone, too, was the painted blue floor – which was stripped and returned to its natural walnut state – as well as the overabundance of matching blue elements that overtook the room.

Jeni Gamble included materials and finishes that provide texture and depth, such as the Jura limestone countertops and custom white oak cabinetry that reinforce the feeling of nature. To highlight local artisans, she accented the cabinetry with custom knobs and pulls crafted by Marin County’s Alice Tacheny.

In their place, Gamble brought in materials and finishes that provide texture and depth, such as the Jura limestone countertops that reinforce the feeling of nature, along with the custom white oak cabinetry from local cabinet maker Bachmann Woodworking.

“We love working with white oak,” says Gamble. “It’s a staple for us because of its density. We also love it because it has a very fine grain pattern, which offers warmth when allowed to show through the stain. Often, we play with stain, but for this kitchen, rather than allowing the wood to take on a yellow cast, we purposefully lightened it to control the color palette. We also carried the oak throughout the rest of the home, using it for the dining room table as well as the staircase.”

The designer accented the lightened cabinetry with end panels and frames for the tall cabinetry, painted with Farrow & Ball’s deeply hued Hague Blue paint.

“Blue was everywhere in the previous kitchen,” she says. “Our clients do like blue; they just didn’t want so much of it, so we toned it down. The blue color also serves as a ‘bookend’ for the cabinetry. I often like to bookend, or sandwich, elements to give them a beginning and an end. Sometimes I use different materials or finishes. In this case,

I used the blue paint.”

Gamble also used the dark shade to draw attention to the custom niche she created within the refrigerator/pantry wall.

“We like to incorporate niches into our designs that can be used as coffee or tea stations,” says the designer. “They have become a signature feature for us. Carving out a space that can be used specifically for this purpose helps keep the counter clear so it doesn’t get cluttered. Often, people’s favorite part of the day is their coffee, so we like to celebrate it!”

To fulfill the desire to highlight local artisans, Gamble accented the cabinetry with custom knobs and pulls, crafted by Marin County’s Alice Tacheny. The blackened metal is on-trend with current kitchen design and matches the MGS Black Steel faucet and trio of peninsula pendants from Michael Anastassiades’ Brass Architectural Collection.

Outdoor Sanctuary

While the living room offers views of Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge, the kitchen grants glimpses to the homeowners’ outdoor living space. Patio doors provide physical entry to the barbecue/seating area, while their transparent glass offers visual access to a large painted mural of a mountain range. Boasting calming shades of grays and whites, the mural also serves as artwork for the kitchen and gives the homeowners some privacy from their neighbors.

“Having a kitchen adjacent to an outdoor space is always coveted,” indicates Gamble. “For these clients, their outdoor courtyard is sheltered for barbecuing and is quickly accessible from the kitchen prep area.”

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A special, abridged version of Salone del Mobile.Milano took place last week, amid much fanfare at its return and trepidation amid COVID-19 concerns. The safety of visitors was paramount, with all exhibitors and attendees adhering to protocols at all times, and an abbreviated show floor that often resembled an art gallery, with products hung on walls and shown in unique displays to keep visitors moving and at a safe distance.

“supersalone” did not disappoint, with more than 60,000 people attending the six-day show, which opened with an impromptu visit and remarks from Italian President Sergio Mattarella welcoming guests and 425 exhibitors, who showcased everything from opulent tables and chairs to modern cabinetry and lighting.

Up-and-coming trends were seen throughout the space. Kitchen cabinets sheathed in metal and metallic looks and a wide range of wood tones, and included complementary metal and glass shelving units. Disappearing kitchens were also displayed, with sliding countertops that tuck everything neatly away when not in use.

Faucets reflected a range of geometric shapes, and delivered on the desire for customization with changeable handles and a multitude of finishes that went far beyond the metals of the past. And LED lighting is revolutionizing the shape and size of pendants, sconces and chandeliers, delivering intricate shapes and modern vibes. LED lighting are also prominent in kitchen and closet shelving and interiors, and even in faucet spouts and showerheads.

Following are a few of the products that made a statement during the event.

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Today’s kitchens are delivering more multi-tasking than ever, as islands and niches now act as places to do homework, bill-paying and game playing in addition to eating breakfast and entertaining. Function remains vital to the way a kitchen is designed, and as lifestyles change, so do the elements of the overall space.

In addition to multifunctionality, trends impacting kitchen design include advancing technology and wellness. Aesthetically, color is upping its presence in appliances, tile and countertops, so cabinets need to provide the right complement – whether that means a striking, bold selection or calm, neutral backdrop.

Key trends impacting the kitchen cabinet segment include:

–The selection of flexible and specialized storage features continues to expand as homeowners try to make use of every inch of space in the kitchen.

–Wood tones are making a comeback, with finishes ranging from pale, natural wood looks to rich, dark grayed browns.

–Texture continues to trend, with weathered woods and soft-touch options among the most popular.

–The interest in color is skyrocketing, with painted and powder-coated finishes now available in an almost endless selection.

–Among the most popular colors trending for cabinets are blues and greens with a hint of gray, as well as black and, of course, white.

–Creative storage for cabinets includes pullouts, peg systems, pull-downs and blind-corner options, while drawers feature dividers and elegant organization for utensils and other items.

 

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WASHINGTON, DC — In what officials are calling a major step in combating global climate change, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule establishing a program to cap and phase down domestic production and consumption of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

The landmark program, announced today, will phase down the U.S. production and consumption of HFCs by 85% over the next 15 years, as mandated by the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, enacted in December 2020 as part of an effort designed to slow global warming, EPA officials said. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, as well as foams and other applications.

The bipartisan AIM Act, backed by a coalition of industry and environmental groups, not only phases down HFCs, but also ushers in the use of more climate friendly and energy-efficient alternatives aimed at saving consumers money while protecting the environment, according to the EPA.

“Today, EPA is taking a significant step forward to tackle the climate crisis,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Cutting these climate ‘super pollutants’ protects our environment, strengthens our economy, and demonstrates that America is back when it comes to leading the world in addressing climate change and curbing global warming in the years ahead.”

“American companies are at the forefront of developing HFC alternatives and the technologies that use them, and the AIM Act provides these companies additional opportunities to continue to innovate,” Regan added.

EPA estimates that the cumulative net benefit of its action will amount to more than $272 billion from 2022 through 2050, and that the rule will yield cumulative compliance savings for industry. In 2036 alone, the year the final reduction step is made, the rule is expected to prevent emissions of the equivalent of 171 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – roughly equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from one out of every seven passenger vehicles registered in the U.S., the EPA said. The total emission reductions of the rule from 2022 to 2050 are projected to amount to the equivalent of 4.6 billion metric tons of CO2 – nearly equal to three years of U.S. power sector emissions at 2019 levels.

EPA officials said the agency will work with the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security to prevent the illegal import and trade of HFCs through an interagency task force led by personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and EPA.

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