Enhancing the Mid-Century Modern Kitchen with FENIX® NTM®
Originally designed in 1958, this mid-century modern home has a rich history. Here, the home owner and architect sought to capture the original style of the home while lightening and modernizing the space with materials true to its founding aesthetic.
Architect Rick Chesmore and his wife Kristen renovated their kitchen in Bellevue, Washington with the goals of achieving more light, more space, and to modernize, all while maintaining the characteristic mid-century charm of their home. This kitchen was revitalized with pristine walnut veneer wall paneling, detailed and colorful tiling, and an artful divergence in tone and texture with FENIX® NTM®--a modern, matte laminate lending timeless accent throughout the space.
Kitchen Cabinetry
FENIX® NTM® High Pressure LaminateKitchen Cabinetry
With plain sawn, book matched walnut faced veneer cabinetry and wall paneling throughout the kitchen, FENIX® NTM® is artfully utilized to create a natural contrast. Its similar earth tones to the natural wood create a seamless transition from organic material to modern, matte laminate.
The kitchen’s stand-out central island matches the floor-to-ceiling walnut cabinets and features the FENIX® laminate. Grigio Londra, a sleek and earthy matte toned lay inset the walnut as the island doors and drawer faces.
New materials and finishes were researched and tested at length, as they needed to be simple and complementary to showcase the rich textures of the original interior. Replanning the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms to align with the owner's lifestyle was an exercise in balancing the strict geometry and modularity of the house against the practical needs and intended uses of the spaces.
FENIX®’s unique ability to be machined allowed the laminate to be utilized in triangular shapes outside of the regular, rectangular cabinet and drawer applications—further lending to the dynamic mid-century modern design style.
This ultra-matte laminate complements the mid-century modern tile backsplash and terrazzo tile floor. Each element was intricately chosen to capture the unique and timeless appeal of the mid-century modern era and refresh the kitchen with light and warmth.
The designers purposefully kept the materials list short to emphasize the details and structure of the space. The materials are consistent and tie to each other in tone while distinctly contrasting in texture and color.
FENIX® NTM®
FENIX® surfaces represent an elegant choice that combines performance and aesthetics. Fingerprint resistant and extremely durable, FENIX® surfaces are ideal for the kitchen, the bathroom or for custom furniture pieces like tables and bookshelves. Whether it be contemporary-style cabinets or a sleek kitchen island top, FENIX® is a beautiful starting point for a range of vertical and horizontal interior design projects.
Why FENIX®?
- Low light reflectivity with an extremely matte surface
- Soft touch
- Highly scratch-resistant
- Easily machinable
- Durability suitable for both horizontal and vertical applications
- Anti-fingerprint
- Thermal healing of superficial micro-scratches for long life-time use
The Project: Chesmore Home
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Date of Project: 2023
Architect: Chesmore | Buck Architecture
Construction Type: Residential
Products: J0718 Grigio Londra NTM® FENIX® High Pressure Laminate
Photo Credit: Andrew Giammarco
