For this project, the plan was to open up the kitchen by taking out a wall and changing up the layout. Simple enough, right? However after demolition, we found out that wall had a hidden post supporting a beam buried in the soffit that was structural and load-bearing.
This discovery required for us to pivot and address the structural adjustments required to keep the space functional and safe. Once the structural and framing was addressed, we installed a porcelain floor tile that seamlessly blended into the existing hardwood, creating a clean visual border for the kitchen area. A two-tone look was achieved by installing Textured wood and High-gloss cabinetry with sleek quartz countertops to keep things minimalist and modern. Wall cabinets were installed over the low sitting windows and gave a modern floating look.
To stay consistent, a flush-mounted hood vent over the island that was both functional and stylish. Moving on to the master bathroom, we removed the outdated finishes and fixtures. We crafted a curbless shower with a custom glass enclosure. We used high-variation subway tiles in colors that subtly pop and add a muted contrast.
For the vanities, we went with modern slab doors in a textured wood look, quartz countertops, and updated the lighting and plumbing fixtures. Every choice was made to enhance the space and create a modern look in a very original and unique way
In design, we bring characteristics of the natural world into built spaces, such as water, greenery, and natural light, or elements like wood and stone. Encouraging the use of natural systems and processes in design allows for exposure to nature, and in turn, these design approaches improve health and wellbeing. There are a number of possible benefits, including reduced heart rate variability and pulse rates, decreased blood pressure, and increased activity in our nervous systems, to name a few.
Over time, our connections to the natural world diverged in parallel with technological developments. Advances in the 19th and 20th centuries fundamentally changed how people interact with nature. Sheltered from the elements, we spent more and more time indoors. Today, the majority of people spend almost 80-90% of their time indoors, moving between their homes and workplaces. As interior designers embrace biophilia.
Establishing multi-sensory experiences, we can design interiors that resonate across ages and demographics. These rooms and spaces connects us to nature as a proven way to inspire us, boost our productivity, and create greater well-being. Beyond these benefits, by reducing stress and enhancing creativity, we can also expedite healing. In our increasingly urbanized cities, biophilia advocates a more humanistic approach to design. The result is biophilic interiors that celebrate how we live, work and learn with nature. The term translates to ‘the love of living things’ in ancient Greek (philia = the love of / inclination towards), and was used by German-born American psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in The Anatomy of Human Destru ctiveness (1973).
Ready to elevate your home with our comprehensive construction services? Contact Malama Design & Build today to discuss your project and schedule a consultation. Discover how our expertise in fireplaces, countertops, flooring, painting, and outdoor living spaces can transform your home in Bellevue, Washington, and the surrounding areas.
10220 NE 1st Place #101, Bellevue, WA
