36 AUTUMN 2026 ASPIREDESIGNANDHOME.COM 37 PROJECT LOCATION: Venice, California PROJECT DETAILS: In Venice Beach, a thoughtful renovation breathes new life into a classic Spanish-style home, reworking the layout for modern living. Its oversize kitchen was built for entertaining, surrounded by spaces brought to life by vintage finishes and historical details. Embracing the depth and patina that comes from natural materials, the home is a master class in relaxed refinement — an inviting backdrop tailored for the beautiful, soulful chaos of daily life and frequent hosting. Sources: Baldwin; Emtek; Blueprint Lighting; Fisher & Paykel; Watermark; Phylrich; Brizo; Signature Hardware; Victoria & Albert; Kohler; Villa Lagoon Tile; Restoration Hardware; Lulu and Georgia. THIS OR THAT: Impromptu get-together or dinner party? Impromptu get-together. We spend enough time planning everyone’s spaces — we like our social lives a little less scheduled. Plus, you can pull out some silver and a bottle of wine to make any night elevated. PROJECT LOCATION: San Marino, California PROJECT DETAILS: Thanks to the high-contrast glossy black lacquer set against veined marble slabs, this kitchen space feels moody yet refined. The glass- front cabinets add a sense of lightness, giving the ceramics room to breathe against the natural wood interior. Brass hardware ties it all together, right down to the range hood. The thoughtful niche in the black marble backsplash can be used to display whatever the homeowners love that week: art, fresh greenery, or a small find, keeping even the hardest-working room in the house full of soul. Sources: Hardware pulls & knobs: Water Street Brass; Refrigerator, wine refrigerator, dishwasher and 48-inch gas range: Wolf/Sub-Zero; Range Hood: custom Cooper Pacific Kitchens; Carbon black lacquer cabinet finish: custom Cooper Pacific Kitchens; Range wall stone: Sapienstone in Dark Marquina Silky; Island: natural marble. THIS OR THAT: Kitchen island or kitchen table? Both! That’s where design is heading for me right now. I’m building islands that don’t just have seating but also incorporate an actual table element into the layout, so you get the workhorse function of the island with the gather- around warmth of a table. It’s the best of both worlds. DESIGNER JACKIE KOSNETT AND MARTINA BIEGEL GALERIE DESIGN + BUILD DESIGNER COOPER PACIFIC Photo by Tessa Neustadt Photo by Meghan Beierle-O’Brien This home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, features a kitchen that juxtaposes cool stone (terrazzo and marble) with warm woods. Wall sconces by Heathfield & Co. and Cloud Ball ceiling fixture by O’Lampia highlight the mix of materials. DESIGNER RAMSAY NYE INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATION Photo by Heather Talbert GATHER ’ROUND