Bluebell | From the Design Studio - Gulfstream

Design Studio

GULFSTREAM

GULFSTREAM

Gulfstream, the American company providing the world’s most iconic business jet aircraft since 1958, is also the name we gave this feature-rich, earthen-hued kitchen. The “why” is simply this: the stunning fumed eucalyptus that wraps this room’s cabinetry is the exact veneer that Gulfstream Aerospace specifies for its jet interiors. In fact, we requested not just the same veneer but actual stock from the manufacturer’s exclusive Gulfstream inventory.

We’re committed to sourcing the most exotic and beautiful woods from around the world to dress the heart of our clients’ homes. Eucalyptus is dense and strong, tough and durable, easy to maintain and has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. The plant’s sustainability resides in its fast growth: 6 to 10 feet a year as compared to a walnut tree, which gains just 1 to 2 feet annually. Our fumed eucalyptus, imported from Italy, has a “5 sheen” out of 100; polyester fills in the natural grooves in the wood, resulting in the silky feel that we love.

Appearing with cabinets dressed in eucalyptus veneer are the island’s base in baked-on aubergine enamel and the rangetop’s surrounding cabinets and hood crafted of brushed stainless steel. Other materials and finishes, as well as lighting, round out Gulfstream’s visual presentation. All of which convinced us to make this the first kitchen visitors encounter when they enter the new showroom.

Gulfstream was created by Peter Cardamone and Bluebell’s design team to present an abundance of ideas and opportunities to inspire, compare and express your dream kitchen design options.

BLUEBELL DESIGNER: Peter Cardamone

BUILDER: Ernst Brothers

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jason Varney

STYLING: Kristi Hunter

“As soon as I saw the book-matched fumed eucalyptus veneer in Premier CustomBuilt’s warehouse, I had to have it for this kitchen,” says Peter Cardamone, creative director and partner at Bluebell FCD.

“Once we learned that it was Gulfstream’s signature cabin veneer, everyone was on board.”

Pete’s vision for Gulfstream: demonstrate how a unique material can be durable and environmentally responsible while inspiring the rest of the room.

“Every kitchen—every room and every project, to be honest—starts with a point of inspiration. Here, it was the eucalyptus

that drew together all the other elements for me. When it is a client’s kitchen, my expectation and hope is that the vision Gulfstream helps develop for them also kicks off our designer’s creative process to fulfill that dream.”

Other features that raise our Gulfstream kitchen above ordinary luxury are soft-open and -close doors, drawers and ovens; the 15-foot, single-piece, cantilevered walnut island top; backlit wine storage cabinet; a variety of systems to customize drawer and cabinet configurations; and the latest technology for lighting, wireless charging, outlets and personal drawer programming.

REFRIGERATOR

Inchyra Blue Excelsior Main Entrance Elephant’s Breath

REFRIGERATOR DRAWERS

BREAKFAST BAR

GAS RANGETOP

WORKSTATION SINK

DISHWASHER

The island’s massive Peruvian walnut countertop weighs over 1000 pounds; it required 15 men to carry the single piece into the room and set it in place on the island’s painted base. A steel “fly swatter” supports the extension so it appears to float above the floor.

The island features integrated finger pulls, extra-wide drawers of 50” and 58”, magnetic dividers for deep storage, drawer programming, integrated wireless cellphone charging and coverless System 22 outlets for a minimalist look.

Island base: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD painted in Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black

Island seating: Knoll Harry Bertoia chrome wire bar stools with leather seat pad

Island countertop: Grothouse 15ft Peruvian walnut with integrated cell phone charging capabilities

Flooring (throughout showroom): reSAWN Timber Co. European French Oak

The rangetop’s stainless steel sets the stage, which we carried through with matching cabinetry and hood. Did you know that stainless steel is the most hygienic kitchen surface? That makes it perfect for the counters and cabinets surrounding the prime cooking area.

A sheet of brushed stainless steel plays a role as an efficient and durable backsplash between the hood and range top.

The brushed stainless steel surfaces also take advantage of this material’s simple maintenance: mild soap, water and a microfiber cloth easily restore its original shine.

Cabinet interiors are walnut, and magnetic dividers allow for customizing the deep storage. Low-profile hardware across the work front reinforces the clean lines.

Cabinetry & hood: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD brushed stainless steel

Rangetop: Wolf gas apron-front six-burner plus griddle

Breakfast bar? Beverage station? Or lifestyle center? Call it what you will, it’s a beautiful piece that works as hard as everything else in this kitchen.

The 24”-deep hutch is recessed so only half its depth is exposed, giving a sleeker appearance despite its abundant storage and counter space.

The shelves float off the wall just enough to make room for embedded lighting. It is this trailing-edge lighting system that creates the soft glow illuminating the back wall of the entire unit. Imagine grabbing a first cup of coffee in such a gentle morning environment.

The soft-close doors’ brackets are mortised into the marble counter surface.

Two 36” refrigerator drawers are hidden behind the handsome book-matched fumed eucalyptus drawer fronts. The decorative panel just visible near the bottom vents the refrigeration’s motor. Other features include bottle holders for coffee flavorings and syrups, along with specialized boxes to hold bread and pastries.

Counter stone: Breccia Capraia honed marble

Hardware: Classic Brass polished chrome

Door track system: Hawa Concepta

Refrigeration: Sub-Zero drawers

Island countertop: Grothouse Peruvian walnut with integrated cell phone charging capabilities

Cabinet: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD cabinetry of fumed eucalyptus veneer

If this sink looks complex, that’s because it is. And all the better to make life simpler for those who use it. Set into the island’s counter, this Galley Workstation sink covers six and a half feet along that gorgeous expanse of Peruvian walnut—seen to its best advantage in this image. The 44” sink features an 18” drainboard on either side, which makes the most of the cabinet space beneath. Crafted of a single sheet of steel, Galley sinks are cut and welded inside and out for maximum durability and strength and insulated to dampen the sounds of dishes, cookware and the water. Designed without aeration, Galley faucets effectively keep the splash and noise to a minimum.

With three tiers, the workstation accommodates various accessories, such as a drying rack, cutting boards and prep bowls. All of which make it function efficiently as both kitchen equipment and an additional workspace.

Galley Workstation® sink with Galley faucets, air switch and soap dispenser Island countertop: Grothouse Peruvian walnut with integrated cell phone charging capabilities

Gulfstream’s wine storage features a fumed eucalyptus cabinet with glass doors and a backlit marble accent panel with adjustable pegs to hold favorite wines in full view for easy selection. We offer conditioned wine storage in dozens of custom options from smaller cabinets to large rooms. Sky’s the limit.

How a Bluebell kitchen looks on a walk-through often gets the most oohs and ahhs, but that’s only until someone opens a door or drawer or looks past the glass door of a cabinet. Then the amazing storage innovations get the attention. And that’s where our designers shine: designing custom storage solutions to suit how a family really lives their lives and uses their kitchen.

Stone panel: Breccia Capraia honed marble Hardware: Hafele adjustable wine pegs

We love this lighted pull-out cabinet right next to the cooking center, customized to store exactly what the home’s chief chef needs most at hand. The upper stadium arrangement in the narrow cabinet could hold herbs and spices in convenient view or a selection of favorite peppers and salts with whole-spice grinders.

Cabinet: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD brushed stainless steel with walnut interior

Cabinet: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD cabinetry of fumed eucalyptus veneer

The pair of eucalyptus wall cabinets flanking the range demonstrate two lighting styles for you to compare. Here in the right-side cabinet, we show side-strip lighting against the dark-painted interiors; the left cabinet features wireless nose-edge lighting on adjustable shelves. Bifold doors maintain the convenient access afforded by these cabinets’ extra-wide openings.

Out of sight under the two wall ovens opposite the island (and out of view here) are more eucalyptus cabinets with options: a blind-corner cabinet pull-out, custom storage for food and cooking wraps, magnetic dividers for shallow storage and interiors shown with and without lighting. The pantry’s glass rollouts make it easier to see contents.

Cabinet: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD upper cabinetry of fumed eucalyptus veneer, interior painted Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black

Hardware: Classic Brass polished chrome

Not shown:

Hafele LeMans blind-corner cabinet pull-out

Wolf soft-open and -close wall ovens

Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawer

Sub-Zero refrigeration

Custom cabinets and countertops are wrapped in sheets of brushed stainless steel. Premier Custom-Built’s metal shop provided precision cutting, fit and welding to ensure all edges and corners fit perfectly and are smooth and of unmatched durability.

The beverage station’s hutch detail shows how its hardware is inset in the drawer front for a perfectly flush edge. Even the screw slots are lined up, in case you were wondering just how particular our installers are.

Set atop the painted island base is 15 feet of bleached Peruvian walnut with a box-jointed waterfall edge. The surface is protected by a finish of food-safe oil, which can be reapplied periodically as needed.

Left: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD brushed stainless steel cabinetry

Center: Premier Custom-Built for Bluebell FCD cabinetry of fumed eucalyptus veneer; Breccia Capraia honed marble; Classic Brass polished chrome hardware

Right: Grothouse Peruvian walnut island counter with integrated cell phone charging capabilities