Why Balance Leads the Way When You Go Bold

As our conversation about reimagining this Bunker Hill kitchen project with designer Lucinda Loya continues beyond the pages of Cambria Style, she reveals how she adjusted layout to improve flow, sought to balance multiple strong design gestures, and ultimately made her clients’ jaws drop.

What were your first steps toward creating what this family needed in their kitchen?

The starting point was selecting Cambria’s Rose Bay, a pattern I have used and loved on multiple projects. It became the foundation for the entire design, and from there, I layered in texture, contrast, and color to create a kitchen that feels both highly functional and visually elegant.

What is your overall impression of Cambria?

I am a longtime fan of Cambria because of its durability, quality, and thoughtful approach to surface design. Its patterns can be bold, artistic, and unique, allowing designers to create something truly special. In this kitchen, we used Rose Bay extensively on the countertops and backsplash, making it a defining feature of the space.

Finding and Installing the Right Design

What about the look of Cambria’s Rose Bay made it the right design for this space?

Rose Bay’s dramatic veining gave us a strong foundation, and we carried that contrast throughout the room with black accents, metal details, and warm brass hardware. Because the family has young children, we also introduced playful elements through the artwork, creating a lively balance between sophistication and fun (the children love Nutella—and really, who doesn’t?). The result is a layered composition of color, texture, and contrast that feels luxurious without being overwhelming.

How was your experience ordering and installing the Cambria? Did it fit well with the rest of your process?

The process was seamless. One feature I particularly value is that the pattern runs consistently throughout the material, which allows for clean edge details and a more authentic, high-end result. Unlike some manufactured products that reveal a different interior core, Cambria maintains its integrity throughout, allowing every installation detail to feel considered and refined. We designed a waterfall island with mitered edges, giving the kitchen a clean, tailored finish. Cambria also offers a quick turnaround on slabs because of its streamlined distribution process, so getting material to a fabricator is a breeze.

What Actually Drives Great Design?

How do you ensure the kitchen is fit to function without dampening its style?

Functionality actually drives great design. In this project, we completely reworked the kitchen layout, relocating key appliances to improve circulation and make the space more family-friendly. For example, we repositioned the coffee station and storage areas so family members could access them without interfering with meal preparation. We also removed the upper cabinetry and replaced it with open shelves and artwork because the family favors minimalism and did not need the additional storage. The result is lighter, more curated, and visually open. Every decision was made to improve how the kitchen functioned while also enhancing its visual impact.

When offering clients a bold choice like a strong pattern, how careful do you need to be about their comfort?

People come to us because they want something distinctive, not something safe. That said, timelessness is always the priority. I believe thoughtful, confident choices often age better than designs that simply follow the latest beige or gray trend. Sometimes, taking a bold step is exactly what makes a space feel timeless because it gives the room a unique design language rooted in style rather than trend.

Other Details That Make a Difference

Are there any other impactful details you want to highlight about the way you shaped this kitchen?

We changed the scale of the island to better accommodate the new kitchen layout and improve its functionality.

We paid close attention to the architectural details around the windows, creating a cleaner, more seamless integration between the backsplash and the surrounding surfaces. And we kept the window casings white but extended the backsplash 24 inches above the counter—approximately one-third of the window height—to create a more cohesive, integrated look.

We also carried the mother-of-pearl inlay, light-reflecting wallpaper all the way to the ceiling and across all the walls, which is unusual in a kitchen and adds a subtle sense of refinement.

Another important detail was the custom drapery design. The panels were carefully aligned with the bay windows, creating a seating area with a custom banquette that feels cozy and family-friendly. We used elegant upholstery that performs well and is easy to clean, bringing sophistication and everyday practicality together.

The Big Reveal and a Good Reflection

How did the clients feel when they saw the results come together?

We installed the space as a reveal, and when the clients returned, their jaws dropped. The homeowner still tells me that every guest who walks into the kitchen has the same reaction. What makes the space successful is its balance: the warmth of the brass, the playful chartreuse, the dramatic black-and-white Rose Bay, and the layered textures all work together cohesively.

Are there ways this project is a good reflection of the kind of work that you do?

This project is a strong reflection of our overall design philosophy. It combines meticulous attention to detail with a willingness to be bold when it matters. The space brings together sophistication, refinement, timelessness, and a touch of whimsy. Every element—from the layered textures and carefully tailored drapery to playful details like the Nutella-inspired artwork—was selected to create a kitchen that feels elegant, inviting, and tailored to our clients’ lifestyle. Ultimately, it is a space designed to bring a family together while delivering a memorable design experience and contributing to a joyful home.