Vasi Ypsilantis of Vasi Ypsilantis Design Associates in New York used her decade of interior design experience and 30+ years of kitchen and bath showroom management to create a style-rich kitchen for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach.

Ypsilantis, a master of kitchen design, has always dreamed of designing for the Kips Bay show house. “It’s a great cause,” she told House Tipster during the show house unveiling in January 2019.

However, the minute she got a good look at the space she was tasked with designing, she knew it was going to take extra effort. “We needed to gut the space and start from scratch, so we eliminated the walls from ceiling to floor,” noted Ypsilantis. By working with the home’s bare bones, her design team was able to incorporate the home’s original Mediterranean architectural elements with modern aspects similar to those she uses for her NY-based clientele.

The finished product, which Vpsilantis refers to as the “Baker’s Kitchen,” reflects this combination of old world and new world. Everywhere you look, you notice classic elements like marbled walls and rustic tile combined with contemporary decor and accessories like the art and custom Kohler fixtures. The space itself is broken into three working areas; a layout Ypsilantis thought was necessary to meet the needs of the homeowner, a professional baker.

The stunning yet durable Cambria countertop contrasts against the black, high-end Dacor appliances, creating a functional yet trendy overall aesthetic. A “knock-to-open” refrigerator, also by Dacor, resembles wall panels and represents a new technology the company is bringing to the market. Other donors such as Sonneman Lighting, Powell & Bonnell, and Colonial Bronze helped round out the room’s fashionable features.

Ypsilantis’ primary focus for this show house was quality, and that was highly evident from top to bottom. “In New York, you need quality cabinetry, cabinets, and appliances. You can’t create good design without quality products.”