USA Kitchen Trends US Kitchen Renovation Trends Vol. 30/11 | Page 13

screens to divide the living area from
the entry,” says Mut. “These are double
screens with custom patterns cut by a
laser water jet. They are backlit with LED
lighting, so they are especially decorative
at night.”
But one of the biggest changes is the
improved connection with the outdoors.
The original 15ft opening to the pool
terrace was extended to 27ft. Huge pocket
doors slide out of sight within the walls,
so the living room appears to be part of
one enormous terrace.

“The weather in Southern California
allows us to enjoy the outdoors all year
round, so the entire house was reoriented
to maximize this,” the builder says. “We
also painted all the walls and ceilings
white so they would reflect the light and
reinforce the resort ambiance.”
Even the kitchen was moved from its
original position at the rear of the house.
This room is now at one end of the living
space, and the entire corner opens up to
the sunny terrace and the pool.
“We chose a galley-style kitchen with

a long island and bar stools,” says Mut.
“It’s a very social space, well suited to
entertaining. A short featur Rv