Wave design highlights industrial-style stainless steel kitchen
As owner of the Queens, NY-based Atlantis Kitchens, Jimmy Gavalas knows what it takes to create a beautiful, high-functioning kitchen. With 35 years of experience, he understands that the right appliances can elevate the cooking experience to the next level, and that great looking cabinetry can make or break the space.
When designing a kitchen for his own home on the North Shore of Long Island, however, he had to up the ante, as he and his wife desired a gorgeous, cooking-focused kitchen that would also incorporate unique design elements to balance his passion for stainless steel and cutting-edge, industrial-style design. Additionally, he wanted to be sure the kitchen would feel modern, but without being cold or harsh.
Gavalas and his wife, Marianthe, both agreed that they wanted the kitchen to have an industrial feel to it. They knew stainless steel was going to play an integral role in that, as they both love the look of stainless steel in the kitchen. But they also wanted something stylish and different that would set their kitchen apart, while moderating all that stainless steel so it wouldn’t feel sterile.
REHAU RAUVISIO wave Bianco provided the perfect solution for them. Gavalas explained, “We needed something to soften all the stainless steel we were incorporating into our kitchen, and the REHAU wave product did that for us. It is so soothing to look at, and so unique; it softened all the ‘harshness’ that stainless steel can exude.” He also loved that it was something different, noting, “The very cool pattern is one I have not seen before, not in my 35 years in the business. We just fell in love with it right away!”
Because his wife loves to cook, the appliances were also key to the design. The couple selected a 48 in (122 cm) Wolf range with a 24 in (61 cm) griddle to maximize cooking functionality. They felt this would make a great focal point to the space, with the stainless steel hood above the range making it stand out. A GE monogram refrigerator continued the stainless look, while the professional-style faucet (saved from the previous remodel because Marianthe refused to give it up), and stainless upper cabinets also enhance the industrial vibe.
The kitchen itself is a large, open space, and Gavalas noted that this dictates the overall feel of the first floor of the home. For that reason, it was important to balance the edgy industrial vibe with calming design elements. The quartz countertops and backsplash help to do this, pairing up well with the steel, while the RAUVISIO wave Bianco doors provide an interesting contrast. The rich wood tones of the flooring also help to warm up the space.
As much as Gavalas and his wife love the stainless steel look, he noted that designing with it can be a challenge. “It is always very hard to work with a lot of stainless steel in a kitchen. We were worried about what product to use to soften the stainless steel.” When he discovered the RAUVISIO wave, though, he knew he’d found the answer. “The wave product just brought a calm to all the stainless steel in the design.” Additionally, it added textural interest to the space, with the pattern adding subtle movement.
The kitchen itself is a large, open space, and Gavalas noted that this dictates the overall feel of the first floor of the home. For that reason, it was important to balance the edgy industrial vibe with calming design elements. The quartz countertops and backsplash help to do this, pairing up well with the steel, while the RAUVISIO wave Bianco doors provide an interesting contrast. The rich wood tones of the flooring also help to warm up the space.
As much as Gavalas and his wife love the stainless steel look, he noted that designing with it can be a challenge. “It is always very hard to work with a lot of stainless steel in a kitchen. We were worried about what product to use to soften the stainless steel.” When he discovered the RAUVISIO wave, though, he knew he’d found the answer. “The wave product just brought a calm to all the stainless steel in the design.” Additionally, it added textural interest to the space, with the pattern adding subtle movement.
He explained, “The wave product offers a sense of tranquility like I am listening to a song, sipping a glass of wine along a coastline somewhere. And it is a fun product that not too many folks have incorporated into kitchen cabinetry.”
Gavalas admitted that “sometimes homeowners can be afraid to try something unique,” but in his profession, showcasing new materials is a plus. Not only does he get to have a stunning kitchen that’s ahead of the curve, design wise, but he also believes that the more people who see a unique product such as this, the more it will sell, as others fall in love with it for their own kitchens.
In the past two years since the pandemic made “at home” the hot destination for everything from working to dining, many people found themselves growing tired of seeing the same four walls, and were left dreaming of remodeling. Although Gavalas finished his kitchen in 2019 before COVID shut down much of the country, he and his wife found that their kitchen has staying power. When asked how the kitchen – and the RAUVISIO wave Bianco cabinets – have held up over time, he responded, “We love them!”
A big fan of REHAU products for many years, he also was pleased by the high quality of the material, noting, “The REHAU product is so superior to other laminate products – that’s why we chose to use it in our own home.”
