“The homeowners asked for a kitchen that didn’t look like a kitchen,” says designer Mel McDaniel. “They wanted it to feel like an eclectic room in a house—they didn’t want it to scream ‘kitchen’.” Of course, that would normally be a tall order when it comes to fitting in all the necessary cooking and refrigeration appliances and accouterments, but not for McDaniel. 

She outfitted the kitchen in striking black cabinetry that offers ample storage, complemented by a black and white checkered floor and enhanced by the gorgeous veining of the Cambria Quartz countertop. On the backsplash, a New Ravenna Kelp Forest Alexandrite mosaic tile backsplash in rich blue and green jewel tones perfectly plays off the blue hue of the 42” Cobalt and Gold True Refrigerator. “I love working with True units,” says McDaniel. “The Cobalt Blue is perfect, and having an option outside of a panel or chrome is exciting. I wanted to use the brand for a long time and planned the kitchen around the cobalt blue finish. The fridge is perfect—it looks and feels different from a standard unit and it elevates the whole space!” The designer hopes to use the Emerald or Saffron hue finish in an upcoming design project but will, of course, need the right project for such a statement piece. 

To keep the look cohesive, the designer incorporated a True Residential Clear Ice Machine and a Beverage Center—also in Cobalt—in a bar area right off the kitchen. A custom mural depicting the clients’ love for animals on the far wall adds a personal touch. “I loved working with these clients,” she expands. “They embraced almost every idea and trusted that the many different elements would come together in the end.” As for McDaniel’s thoughts on the glass door aspect of the fridge? “It is fun to see what is in the fridge. It adds interest to the space and makes food, which is after all, the actual heart of the kitchen, more present in the space,” she says. The clients agree—they adore their kitchen and entertain accordingly.