Nature Lover's Kitchen

These homeowners just couldn't get enough of their spectacular backyard view, so they decided to blend it into their new kitchen.

They did what any nature lover would do; they brought the best of the outdoors in. To help make their kitchen so open and inviting, they called on designer Bill Noval to plant the seeds for a bigger and better floor plan.

The first step in the renovation was opening the kitchen to the sunroom. They knocked down walls, and then came up with a creative way to link the two spaces. The big columns not only look great, but they also serve a purpose: one column houses all the plumbing for the sink.

The focal point of the kitchen is hearth, where the homeowner's love for all things equestrian is evident. Her passion for horseback riding shines through in the tiled tapestry behind the stove. Highlighting the tapestry is the handcrafted stone wall that surrounds the entire cooking area.

The expansive island is the perfect place for one of the homeowner's favorite cooking gadgets. A steamer is built into the countertop, next to the sink. The homeowners love its functionality, noting that it is like having a fifth burner. When they are done cooking, the unit drains directly into the sink.

When it comes time to eat, the homeowners have the luxury of dining on a one-of-a-kind piece of art. This creation was made by the world-renowned Nakashima design studio. The table was crafted from one complete slice of an English walnut tree that Lisa and Steve selected for the project.