Castle Rock’s Crown Jewel: A Kitchen Bathed in Light and Luxury

photos by Robin Bouricius

It’s easy enough to understand what attracts people to Colorado. The state’s largest population centers exist within easy reach of breathtaking natural splendor. Rugged, snowcapped mountains serve as the backdrop to sweeping vistas. The call of adventure looms at every glance, as does the promise of peace and the serene beauty of the natural world.

The rapid growth of the town of Castle Rock is undoubtedly tied to the draw of the state’s beauty. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the Denver metro area to avoid designation as a suburb, the town is nestled amongst rolling hills dappled with pine trees and scrub oak. Flanked on one side by the rocky buttes that produce the iconic formation from which the town derives its name, one would be hard-pressed to find a better place to create a bucolic Colorado life than Castle Rock.

Homeowner Bryan McKim had just such an opportunity. With a newly built home on a lot carved out of a gentle hillside, Bryan had a blank canvas. “Make it your own space, sometimes less is more,” he advises. “Go dramatic or simple, but make it your own space that will lend to your lifestyle.”

For Bryan, creating a unique kitchen space meant enlisting the help of Hazel

Atwood of Zelah Designs, who has been nursing a passion for interior design since

childhood. “Design has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember,” she says, having helped her parents create unique spaces in the houses they flipped

professionally. “It was during those early experiences that I realized my calling was

in interior design.”

"Go dramatic or simple, but make it your own space that will lend to your lifestyle."

Bryan wanted something contemporary with a clean look that would benefit from the wealth of natural light and provide plenty of countertop and pantry space.

With Hazel’s help, Bryan settled on a style they call “mountain modern” that

would bring together the crispness and functionality of a modern kitchen with

rugged earthiness.

“For me, design is about capturing the true essence of a space. I don’t just create for the sake of aesthetics; I believe in blending beauty with function,” says

Hazel. “I see design as an extension of one’s soul — a way to express individuality

while making a lasting investment in your home. It’s about creating spaces that are timeless, meaningful, and, most importantly, authentic to the people who inhabit them.”

Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, rough quartzite tile backsplashes, and variable-length white oak flooring lay the foundation for a space that Hazel describes as neither too warm nor too cool. “I wanted to curate a design that’s

simple yet complex in multiple finishes. Clean yet homey and functional,” she says.

She was hoping to create something that would accommodate any furniture the homeowners already had, giving them confidence in any choices they might make themselves in the future.

Intentionally avoiding “builder grade” tile, the rough quartzite backsplashes

help set the design apart from the drab uniformity of many modern kitchens. “Almost every single tile in this home has a unique look to it,” says Hazel.

For the kitchen appliances, Bryan was drawn to the look and functionality

of JennAir.

The 36-inch French door refrigerator fits the space requirements perfectly, with stainless steel panels sitting flush with the neighboring cabinets. A dramatic obsidian interior houses perishables on sleek glass shelves, kept at the perfect temperature thanks to the trademarked precision temperature management system.

A 36-inch, six-burner gas rangetop adds further robust functionality to the space, with cast iron grates and dual-stacked power burners capable of up to 20,000 BTUs. The control knobs feature an LED accent, giving a soft halo effect when a burner is lit. Above the rangetop sits a custom-built hood with gorgeous walnut trim, matching the floating shelves.

Of course, a professional quality rangetop isn’t enough to make a functional

kitchen. Rounding out the cooking appliances are a 30-inch double wall oven

and an under-counter microwave. The oven’s multimodal convection system and

built-in heat probe ensure consistent, even baking and roasting, while the 24-inch

microwave nestles seamlessly into the kitchen island.

For cleanup, the 24-inch RISE dishwasher sits opposite the dual ovens in the kitchen’s island. The whisper-quiet dishwasher features 11 percent more loading height and a dedicated top rack for cutlery. A rapid wash cycle can have any

mess back to sparkling in about an hour.

The knurled details of the appliances add what Hazel describes as a slight

industrial feel, without overpowering the rest of the design.

The kitchen is something truly unique, filled with natural light thanks to the

breathtaking window arrays on either side of the space. Bryan says he loves the

simplicity of the colors and the overall flow of the project. “Working with Hazel was

very constructive,” he says. “She’s a great communicator, and she had so many options and was very patient with our decisions.”

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Zelah Designs

We are committed to dedicating our utmost effort to every endeavor, as we take great pride in our work. We aspire to assist clients in achieving their goals and dreams while also educating them throughout the process. No two clients or projects are alike, and our goal is to provide each project with the individualized attention it deserves. zelahdesigns.com

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