Kitchen Tour: HGTV Green Home 2009

It’s a calm and uncluttered space and, for an eco-friendly home, interior designer Linda Woodrum would have it no other way. “I wanted an almost Asian feeling that was very clean and not overdone,” she explains.

The walls, covered in glass mosaic tiles, punctuate the cooking space, which features streamlined espresso-colored cabinetry and sleek stainless-steel hardware and fixtures. CaesarStone quartz countertops, in a shade of bold black and crafted from recycled material, add a hint of sparkle and continue the green story, as they are naturally antimicrobial as well as mold- and heat-resistant. “The dark counters and dark surfaces become one with the pops of stainless,” adds Woodrum, “and then that tile just pulls it all together.”

Water and energy saving were top of mind when selecting the Kenmore Elite appliances for the space. Energy Star-rated items include a “smart” dishwasher that determines the amount of time, water and energy need to complete each load; an induction range with stainless steel hood, which features fast and efficient cooking; a side-by-side refrigerator with icemaker; and a programmable coffeemaker, which features fast-brew technology.

As a foil to the kitchen’s industrial features, including a Kohler stainless steel sink with low-flow faucet, Woodrum added a few organic touches, including a driftwood lamp, a potted aloe plant and stacks of cookbooks set atop a white pedestal. A wood cutting board is ready and waiting for the gourmet cook, and a platter of ripe and juicy pears offers a treat for those perched on the black oak and steel swiveling bar stools that serve as a divider between the kitchen and the lounge. “I love those bar stools,” adds Woodrum. “You walk in and those stools are so sculptural against the white wood bar.” A shaggy rug in a warm shade of cream adds a pop of retro-chic style against the dark-wood flooring and echoes the color of dinnerware on display in the pantry.

Green features of the kitchen include tubular skylights, which channel daylight into the kitchen during work hours and illuminate the space at night via compact fluorescent lights. A big bonus for the busy homeowner? A central vac inlet, nestled at the base molding of the kitchen cabinetry, eliminates the need for a bulky vacuum cleaner. Dust and debris swept into the inlet are directed through tubing behind the walls into a central vac unit installed in the laundry room closet.

The kitchen ultimately serves as a central gathering space that caters to both the organizer and the food lover. “It has a sophisticated, clean and polished look,” says Woodrum, “yet everything is here for the perfect cooking experience.”