One on One with Andrew Flashman
By Gina Dostler
Kitchen designer Andrew Flashman’s fingerprints are on homes across the country. His Laguna Beach showroom reflects his contemporary sensibilities.
Q: Why is kitchen design a specialty?
A: I find people are very educated these days with the ability to instantly research what they want online and learn vast amounts about the industry to create what they want. But it can get a bit, shall I say, dangerous to put it all together without understanding the technical side of it. Designing a kitchen incorporates the technical knowledge of plumbing, electrical work, city building codes and the ability to setup a kitchen to function properly.
Q: What gets neglected?
A: There are the sensible things such as enough counter space, microwave or food steamer in the right spot. Yet space isn’t always the right answer. Many times it’s about keeping the kitchen functional. For instance, the galley sink pulls space into a central area where you can take the size of a normal sink and turn it into a workstation to clean and prep food all in one place with cutting boards and drain racks.
Q: How does Europe handle kitchen design?
A: Europe has a certain distinctive style that focuses on the aesthetics of horizontal and vertical lines that give optimum functionality and ergonomics. Design and function work together, for instance pull-out drawers hidden behind beautifully lacquered cabinet doors. A vast array of colors are used from white to magenta with high gloss or matte. I prefer to mix products such as high gloss white lacquer and a dark oak to create something new and different. Neolith is another product, both functional and can be used to replace polished marble. People want the look of that fabulous marble without the maintenance. Again, the focus is on function and durability without forsaking design.
Q: So how does music play into designing interiors?
A: Music and design have certain similarities. The form of the music, the balance, the tone, starts to flow with a certain repetition, a theme. For instance, find a shape, then use that shape as a theme. There are shapes and colors that flow in design, when used together balance themselves out. The same thing happens in music, a melody that repeats. It’s about balance and form. It’s focusing how things interrelate, a melding and how to blend them all together. Music and design do just that.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Andrew Flashman, Flashman Design
817 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
(949) 892-9826
www.flashmandesign.com
