The bigger, the better is usually the case for a dream kitchen, but Next Wave designer Jaqui Seerman knew more space was the last thing her clients needed. Their 11,000-square-foot home (with eight bedrooms and 11 baths) in the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood—an exclusive area just outside Beverly Hills proper—was already plenty large. The aesthetic (think high-gloss finishes, mirrored surfaces, and Baccarat chandeliers in nearly every room) and the existing kitchen layout with its massive T-shaped island weren’t to their taste either.
“The goal was a relaxed, California-style space that worked for chic dinner parties and children’s birthdays alike,” the Los Angeles–based designer says. She opted to replace the unusual island with a more functional rectangular one and went for a traditional triangle appliance layout to make the space more livable for a family that cooks most nights. Seerman also defied the more-is-more mindset and made the space smaller.
Countertops: Marble Design by Lopez and Tristone & Tile Inc. Cabinetry: Danzo Group Custom Cabinets & Woodworking, in Clunch by Farrow & Ball paint. Hardware: Liz’s Antique Hardware. Hood finish: Peter Perez. Pendants: Currey & Company. Counter stools: Crump & Kwash.
“We chose to downsize to have a cozier breakfast nook for more intimate family meals,” she explains. The layout shift, which involved pushing in a living room wall and cutting out the seating area of the previous kitchen, also made space for a dining room, one thing the home hadn’t had before.
The best thing about the kitchen itself, Seerman says, is the Lacanche range. She devised a brilliant solution that significantly reduced the lead time for the appliance, which would’ve been especially painful with Covid delays. “Typically, a range of this size would take over 12 months to manufacture and ship from Europe,” Seerman says. “To expedite the timeline, we collaborated with Cooper Pacific Kitchens to source a pair of smaller ranges that were in stock. By combining them into one seamless installation, we not only saved months of lead time but also reduced costs and shipping fees.”
The kitchen is flanked by a brand-new butler’s pantry. This prep space keeps the main kitchen clear of clutter and unsightly small countertop appliances with its warming drawers, an ice maker, a wine refrigerator, and an extra sink. And because entertaining is a big part of the family’s weekends and holidays, the pantry has custom felt-lined storage drawers for silver and a cabinet to display china.
Paint: Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball. Door and window: NanaWall. Plasterwork: Peter Perez. Stone: Tristone & Tile Inc. Millwork: Danzo Group Custom Cabinets & Woodworking. Pendants: Una Malan. Counter stools: Modern Antiquarian.
More discreet but equally clever storage was added in the main space to keep the kitchen as streamlined as possible. “We incorporated built-in spice drawers flanking the double ranges, an integrated cutting board with an opening over the trash can for easy disposal of scraps, a cabinet with a pop-up KitchenAid mixer stand, and an integrated espresso machine with a small pullout tray for coffee cups,” Seerman says. Small appliances live in a garage cabinet. In the walk-in pantry, an extra refrigerator and a kid-specific freezer (easy ice-pop access was a must) sit alongside illuminated shelving for dry goods.
And because no party at their home would be complete without cocktails, Seerman designed a custom bar for the couple to show off their mixology skills. “The whole bar is incredibly charming,” Seerman says. “But my favorite part is the pass-through window for serving cocktails poolside to guests.”
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