Kitchen Update Includes Sleek Cabinetry and a More Efficient Layout

The cabinetry is from Florense, a 70-year-old Brazilian brand now available in New Jersey

The appliance wall accommodates the refrigerator/freezer, beverage refrigerator, double wall oven and coffee station.

Kevin and Neda Gioia knew the kitchen in their Little Silver home was outdated and lacking in functionality so they called for help. “Despite their efforts to make improvements after moving in, the space still felt uncomfortable and failed to meet their needs,” says Shayna Vrabel, Lead General Designer (GD™) at the Red Bank Design Center.

Vrabel met with the couple to discuss their goals, bringing fresh energy to the project and designing solutions for improved flow, more prep space and a more organized layout for storage and appliances. “As avid hosts who love entertaining family and friends, they aimed to create a space that was both functional and enjoyable to be in,” Vrabel says. Topping the Gioias’ wish list were a butcher block countertop for meal prep, a large island with seating for six, and a hidden coffee station. They also planned to expand an adjacent all-seasons room, including adding accordion doors between the two spaces to accommodate large gatherings. “They envisioned a kitchen that felt like an extension of the outdoors — bright, fresh and open — while also reflecting their sophisticated, bold and modern style.”

The modern but timeless redesign of the kitchen features cabinetry by Florense (below), a 70-year-old Brazilian company. The upper cabinetry at left is reflective bronze mirrored glass.

A key part of the redesign was the choice of cabinetry from Florense, a 70-year-old Brazilian brand now available in New Jersey exclusively through the Florense Studio in New Jersey at the Red Bank Design Center. Amy Manor, CEO of the Red Bank Design Center, was first introduced to Florense through its cabinetry at The Princeton Show House in 2020, collaborating with the brand’s Manhattan showroom. “It didn’t take long for us to fall in love with not only their endless finishes, superior craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, but also the people at Florense,” she says. The family-owned company prides itself on generations of care, she adds, from the first interaction to the final installation. “With a deep understanding of their customers’ needs and expectations, they consistently deliver perfection. We are honored to be the first Agent Showroom in New Jersey and fully embrace the responsibility that comes with this partnership.”

Florense works with designers to customize each project. In the case of the Gioias, a 14-foot-long island improves traffic flow to adjacent rooms and includes a food-prep area defined by a section of butcher-block countertop and a dining area topped by engineered stone.

The kitchen opens to the dining room and great room beyond, where an accent wall painted a dark color draws the eye through the spaces. The window above the sink is a pass-through to a four-seasons room. Antiqued bronze pendant lights over the island were chosen for their style and function, Vrabel says.

“We also opened up the space between the kitchen and dining room by removing a partial wall, creating a more seamless flow,” Vrabel says. She extended the appliance wall to allow for the coffee station, which narrowed the entry to the family room, “adding a sense of coziness and intimacy.”

For the finishes, she selected a clean, neutral palette complemented by wood, marble and bronze-mirrored glass. “The result is a timeless, minimal space that not only feels fresh and open but also pays homage to the surrounding outdoor greenery,” she notes.

The redesign created a versatile kitchen that accommodates not only the Gioias’ entertaining needs but also everyday use when cooking dinner with their two girls and enjoying casual meals at the island.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in the February-March 2025 issue of Design NJ under the headline “Modern by Design.”

For more see Nordic Nod and  Bath With a View.