The white shaker style cabinets in this kitchen gain extra credibility from the carefully chosen reproduction hardware. Note the classic butterfly hinges and the surface mounted cabinet door latches. The countertops are made of polished charcoal gray soapstone tiles, an economical and attractive way to create a natural stone solid surface. The backsplash "tiles" are cut from solid travertine and are install in a traditional running bond pattern.
Although travertine is sometimes called "travertine limestone" or "travertine marble," it is actually neither marble or limestone, but a different stone altogether, formed as a precipitate of calcium carbonate. If you've ever visited Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, you've seen travertine being formed in real time.
One of the things that makes this Portland, Oregon, kitchen special is the end-grain douglas fir flooring. We can't call this a "hardwood floor" because fir is classified as a softwood, but douglas fir is relatively hardfor a softwood and has been used for flooring in the Pacific Northwest since the first pioneers arrived. However, when it is cut across the grain and glued down end grain up, it makes a very hard and durable floor.
The modern KitchenAid appliances are all stainless steel, which blends surprisingly well with the white cabinets and soapstone counters. The drop-in range is a natural gas model, and the dishwasher (on the left) is a double drawer model.
