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Integrated appliances avoid clutter in the petite galley layout.

A mirrored backsplash reflects the garden. Spotted Gum cabinetry meets floors of the same material for uninterrupted flow. The counters are stainless steel.

Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances are seamlessly integrated into the kitchen.

A kitchen island with bar seating provides indoor space for dining; custom-milled cabinets and drawers in the kitchen add ample storage.

The pair borrowed a little space on the front porch and expanded the kitchen into the breakfast nook, so the sink now looks out on the front yard and old olive tree.

The backsplash and counters are Caesarstone, and a floating white oak shelf was positioned flush with the hood vent for a cleaner look.

A thick, poured concrete slab forms the surface of the large island and waterfalls to the floor on one side.

A vaulted ceiling interspersed with skylights, in tandem with floor-to-ceiling glass, fills the home with natural light.

"The wife’s vision was to create a very calming interior using a minimalist material palette," explains Mac. "The custom kitchen was designed to be elemental—we wanted [it] to feel more integrated [with the rest of the space]. The oak cabinets, concrete countertops, and appliance placements all reinforced this aesthetic."

A custom industrial-style light fixture suspends above the table in the kitchen-and-dining area, which is adjacent to the living room.

"If you like the look of higher ceilings, choose a home that already has your preferred ceiling height,” says Eskandari. “Raising the height of ceilings is possible, but extremely labor intensive and costly. Taking down walls to create an open concept space is one of the most common requests from homeowners. Make sure you know which walls are load-bearing, as those are a lot more expensive to take down.”

White Kitchen with High Window

Full- height timber cabinetry and a white kitchen maintains the home's open, airy feel, while the loose furniture stays with the minimal approach

The architects bought standard-size cabinets and played around with different configurations to make the layout feel bespoke at an affordable cost.

In the kitchen, pops of orange and blue break up an otherwise black-and-white palette. The bursts of color are a nod to the hues in the stained glass in the refurbished front door.