Lamps And Lanterns | Continental Lamps,Chinese Style Lamps,Modern Lamps

Smith gives the highest priority to her housemates — two golden retrievers and a black and white cat named Petey. After living in her home for three years, she decided she needed to make better use of her living space. She considered her pets, love of entertaining and splendid view first.

Before the remodel, Smith couldn’t see the colorful trees and glistening sunlight just outside her panel windows. Blocked in by a dividing wall and cabinets, her workspace and kitchen were segregated from the dining area and family room. She felt cramped.

Griffin, an 11-year designer and principal owner of Griffin & Gedrose Interior Design, went to work. She prescribed an open plan that fulfilled Smith’s desires.The barriers were removed, and the kitchen was gutted. A long, wide central galley emerged. The new space became the palette for a double-level slate countertop with ample sink and working surface.

Based on the cabinet colors Smith selected, 84- and 60-inch-long islands were constructed. Ivory chestnut granite with flecks of gold, red and rust natural granite, called Typhoon Bordeaux, were meticulously detailed and installed. Specialty lighting enhances her shimmery stemware in glass-fronted shelves.

According to Griffin, also a West Linn resident, the granite’s natural stone pattern was chosen for its “tolerance yet enriching balance with the cabinetry. The one-of-a-kind stone is artwork. It was inspiration for the rest of the kitchen. It provides lovely color and brings in the color from outside.”

Well versed in interior design, including certification from Beaverton’s Heritage School of Interior Design and other specialized design associations, Griffin likes intricate countertop angles and edges. Encouraging Smith to take her kitchen’s appearance up a notch, bowed and S-curved end profiles adorn the granite.