When undergoing a remodel in their Tampa home, the Bensons wanted to incorporate interior design ideas that would truly reflect their relaxed living style without sacrificing elegance. Working with Barbara Krai, of Barbara Krai Interior Design, they accomplished just that.
The family room features a Ralph Lauren atmosphere with indigo grass-cloth wall covering and barstools with Ionian Sea linen “Lobster Seascape” backs and practical faux leather seats, which reside at the kitchen bar.
Red leather sofas give punch to the room and sit beneath a commissioned, hand-colored pen and ink map of Tampa Bay with the Benson house by artist Mike Williams. An alligator-leather ottoman on a coffee and wheat open basket weave wool carpet complete the overall look.
Several challenges were associated with the renovation of the nearby kitchen. First of all, the Bensons wanted to keep the same footprint but change some appliances to make the kitchen more functional. In addition to adding a second refrigerator, they wanted to add more storage and create a desk area with filing space and a cabinet for the kids’ backpacks. They also wanted to keep the bar area and add a large dining table, similar to booth seating, for eight. “My challenge,” says Krai, “was to give them everything on their wish list and stay within the boundaries of the existing footprint.”
First she raised the solid walnut cabinets up to the ceiling for a fully integrated look and better storage. She expanded the island both widthwise and lengthwise to gain space for filing drawers and a compactor.
The existing wood floor was replaced with 12×24-inch, porcelain tiles for easier maintenance and durability. Bronze light fixtures were placed in zones with dimmers. Space for the desk area was reduced to allow for the second Sub-Zero refrigerator and Krai created a special compartment at the end of the island for the kids’ backpacks.
Since there wasn’t enough space for booth seating, Krai designed a 4×5-foot, custom table in walnut to coordinate with the cabinetry. The chairs and benches are topped with Tommy Bahama fabric and faux leather that will hold up to the family’s busy lifestyle. The Viking gas range is underneath a medallion bronze ceramic border hood that has the same custom crackled glass trim detail as the backsplash throughout the kitchen. The stones are rhomboid shaped glazed crackled ceramic tile with crackle glass accents. The taupe hue of the quartz countertops completes the overall look.
The homeowners, who often differ in interior design ideas, said that they couldn’t be more thrilled with their new home. Krai worked miracles, according to Ron. “Once we got to know Barbara and she got a feeling for our individual tastes, she seemed to be able to find things that we both completely liked,” he says.