Everything in Place All at Once

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“My design philosophy has evolved greatly since becoming a mom and learning how much kids impact a kitchen’s design dynamic,” says FORM Kitchens’ senior designer Stacie Garner about her approach when designing the global brand’s made-to-order kitchens. “I am constantly focusing on designing kitchens that help every user utilize the space in its best capacity. I love the intimate design aspects of personalizing kitchens so that more memories can be made.”

Like most clients, the owners of this 3,200-square-foot Mill Valley home were seeking inspiration on Pinterest to renovate the existing kitchen. “As they curated their board, they kept pinning images of modern European-style kitchens that embodied the aesthetic they sought from projects that were designed by FORM,” Garner recalls. “Both homeowners agreed that it was the clean, minimalist aesthetic we offered that initially grabbed their attention. But it was the combination of our 25-year warranty, German quality craftsmanship and the guaranteed delivery date that got them to pull the trigger.”

The FORM Kitchens team created custom storage solutions for every single item to have its own place.
Photos by David Duncan Livingston.

The overall goal was to create a minimal, simple kitchen that offered a place for every utensil, pan or small appliance. Garner notes, “One spouse holds a C-suite executive position for a multibillion-dollar social network and there are three teenagers. I immediately recognized the need for a welcoming family space that would stay clutter-free.” The clients took inventory of every single thing and then the FORM team developed a storage system for each item including drawers for sunglasses, shoes and iPhone chargers. Upper cabinets were removed, concentrating all storage inside a minimalist island and lower wraparound cabinets, which creates an open and airy atmosphere. The team brought in wood tones from floating shelves in the living room to create a visual flow. “We wanted to ensure the connecting spaces— mudroom and living room in this case—which the kitchen opens up to, flowed seamlessly together,” she says.

While function was the main driver of this project, FORM incorporated playful materials to enhance the character of the space, including an elevator panel that is mounted on the wall. “The panel was from their first apartment together in New York City, where they were married and had their first child,” Garner says. “Right before they moved out, the building put in new elevators, so they took that panel as a keepsake and asked a friend who is an amazing manufacturing engineer and designer to refurbish and mount it for the wife’s 40th birthday.” This element however, didn’t interfere with the goal of creating a tranquil, utilitarian kitchen, which was achieved.