elements design.build is an all encompassing design firm which has a reputation for imaginative, distinctive design while keeping you in the picture.

Becky Nemetchek, principle designer of elements design.build, has gained experience through a wide variety of avenues, all which contribute to a broad aesthetic and an expansive knowledge base.  As well as a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the University of Manitoba, and 30 years of design experience, Becky’s design sense has developed through work in Theatre, Television, Special Events, Visual Art, Retail display, and many other creative avenues.  Becky has also led large creative and construction teams, repeatedly completing projects on time and on budget.

Creative inspiration for Becky comes though the patterns, colours, textures and shapes found in nature.  She also admires the 'honesty' of industrial spaces, and integrity of fine craftsmanship.

Becky is married to Karel Nemetchek.  They have four adult children and a growing contingent of grandchildren, who are, together, the creative project she is proudest of.

elements design.build was featured in Canadian Home Trends.  In this interview, Becky speaks about her design inspiration for a beautiful contemporary kitchen re-design.

Canadian Home Trends: Why did you go with a darker colour scheme for this design?

Becky Nemetchek: My client wanted a dramatic kitchen, and loves the ebony look. Since there is a 9’ ceiling, and a wide window, the kitchen can carry a darker scheme without feeling enclosed.

As well, the all-maple dining room adjoins this open concept space, so the dark cabinets define the kitchen from the dining room. The maple accents draw the eye around the kitchen, and tie it all together.

CHT: What are some good tips for matching counter tops with your colour scheme?

BN: Never rely on a photo of the counter material, or even a sample. We thought we had found the perfect granite, until we stood a cabinet door against the full slab! Blah! When my client saw this wild COMET granite, she fell in love. It added exactly the right earthy touch this contemporary kitchen needed to make it warm & inviting.

CHT: How did you design the room so that the placement of the appliances highlights the design?

BN: When you walk into the space, you first see the fabulous glass Vent-Hood and Gas Range-Cook top. Their importance is highlighted because they are set into a recess (this used to be the TV spot in the room’s former life as a family room). Grouping the ovens and refrigerator on one wall, again, simplifies the design.

CHT: What inspired you to create this design?

BN: I had worked with this client before, and knew she appreciates simple, contemporary lines, as well as elements of nature. She was frustrated with her ‘postage stamp’ kitchen, and having to store a large percentage of her equipment and supplies elsewhere in the house. We explored various options and finally decided to play ‘Musical Chairs’ with the rooms on the main floor, rotating the kitchen into what had been the family room. Once the old kitchen was gutted, there was enough room for a large dining room. The old dining room and living room became the new great room with beautiful garden doors leading out to the back yard and a river trail.

CHT: How did you go about choosing the correct lighting to accent your design?

BN: Layered lighting is especially important in a kitchen. Too little variety of lighting options and the kitchen is either in the dark, or lit up like an operating room. As well, it is important that the lighting only add to the design as a whole. Consequently, we filled the ceiling with recessed lights, added more recessed lights into the bulkhead over the counters, in-cabinet lights for display, and placed under-cabinet lighting wherever possible. Every space needs the right accessories (just like a little black dress) and so we added 3 pretty little pendants over the wave counter.

CHT: Tell us about some interesting and unique aspects of this design that make it functional.

BN: There is a bank of 1 tall and 2 short pull-out pantries in this kitchen. As well, folding out of the corner beside the dishwasher, there is a unit which holds all the everyday dishes. Along with the custom designed wine rack, and an in-kitchen recycling centre, these features have eliminated running to the other end of the house for supplies or equipment.

CHT: Talk to us about the back splash used in this kitchen project.

BN: To highlight the cabinets, we used a very simple, large tile, and we turned it on end to accentuate the height of the room. The strip of metallic tile added another ‘accessory’ and tied the stainless steel appliances in to the design as a whole.

CHT: How does the flooring material impact the overall design?

BN: The natural birch hardwood flooring ties into the maple accents in the cabinetry and further opens up the space.

CHT: For our readers looking to design their kitchens, do you have any words of wisdom for them?

BN: Develop your taste by looking at lots of kitchens in magazines and show homes. Decide on a style you really love, and would have loved 10 years ago. This is a good test that you are not simply following a trend that will be out-dated soon. Consider new products, such as a concrete counter or cork flooring. Set up a ‘camping kitchen’ in your garage or another part of the house. All you really need is a fridge, microwave, barbecue (out doors), and a huge package of disposable plates.