<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" VIEW MORE PHOTOS     Two antique transoms were the inspiration for the Asian ambience of this penthouse kitchen overlooking New York City. The old hand-carved pieces, originally created for a Japanese Buddhist monastery, captivated the homeowner who, years ago, found them in an antiques store and fell in love with them. Stored away until they could be effectively used, they were the first thing she brought up when redesigning her kitchen with architect Elaine Felhandler, of Felhandler/Steeneken Architects in New York City. &amp;quot;She showed me the transoms and that was it,&amp;quot; says Felhandler, who used the pieces as her design guide. Once that was settled, Felhandler turned her attention to the layout. She combined the maid&amp;#039;s quarters with the old kitchen to create a new 15,519-foot space that would be the centerpiece of a home already under the spell of the Far East. Adjacent to the kitchen, a conservatory that annexed territory from the terrace would be flooded with light and serve as a gathering spot for guests during meal prep, or a hang-out area for the homeowner. From design to material selection, Felhandler crafted a kitchen that combines old and new. Japanese raku tiles cover structural columns. Schist, an older-than-granite metamorphic rock, is fashioned into countertops with an eased edge. Made of cherry wood, the peninsula is built with oversize pieces stacked and recessed to resemble the elongated lines of the Craftsman and Prairie styles\u2014styles, says Felhandler, &amp;quot;very much influenced by the Japanese.&amp;quot; The kitchen&amp;#039;s linear profile is also evident in bands of black painted trim (also carried into the conservatory) inspired by the transom frames and used to edge the soffits and columns. Another strong line is formed from the row of six horizontal drawers in the peninsula and even cupboard doors feature unadorned recessed panels with straight frames. Custom-made copper drawer pulls and handles, made to look old, mimic the angular shape of the faucet. A dedicated work zone is completely separate from, yet open to, adjoining spaces. Free from traffic, it&amp;#039;s easy to negotiate and fitted with prostyle appliances and recessed lighting. Pendants hung above the peninsula not only provide light, but help delineate the space. Across the passageway, a second sink and cabinetry function as an entertainment center. The color palette is simple too\u2014warm wood tones, stainless, and pale walls prevent any jarring intrusion. Suspended from the ceiling and eased between columns, the 100-year-old transoms set the tone of the new kitchen and became its focal point. The homeowner adds, &amp;quot;As soon as we knew we&amp;#039;d use them, everything flowed from there.&amp;quot; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/a1177/perfectly-calm-38424/>