Step Inside a Cali-Cool Kitchen with the Most Stunning Island

For a family that loves making dishes that reflect their Indian roots, a kitchen remodel topped their to-do list after purchasing a home in Santa Cruz, California, in 2017. Bhavana and Dharmesh Patel and their son, Sahil, 21, partnered with designer Christie Hausmann to create their dream kitchen with plenty of space for cooking and storage. (The Patels keep more than 100 jars of spices, masalas and lentils on hand!)

Marvelous Marble

Christie went back and forth with Bhavana about whether to get real marble — Bhavana was worried about staining it — but they agreed its beauty outweighs the maintenance. They sealed the stone to be on the safe side.

Lighting for Less

After splurging on the waterfall island, the couple chose an affordable set of pendants from Wayfair. “They’re budget-friendly but look high-end,” Dharmesh says.

Wood Cabinets

When their cabinetmaker found these quartersawn walnut slabs, the Patels jumped on them, figuring out the design after the fact. “We have extra cabinets for all the special Indian dishes I use for different holidays, plus specialty cookware and spices,” Bhavana says.

Low Seating

The Patels worried that barstools wouldn’t be comfortable, so they installed a walnut ledge at dining-chair height. Now it’s where they eat most meals. “We get so many compliments on this,” says Bhavana.