HOMEWORK
~ ~ Thomas and Ashley Lauderdale of Advanced Kitchen Designs At Home with
Having walked job sites with his father (who owns the original AKD in Hilton Head) since he was five years old, Thomas Lauderdale understands intimately how to run a custom-cabinet business. That, along with his love of the Lowcountry, is why he opened his own shop in Charleston, where he offers his well-trained eye for design and his well-maintained connections with some of the best craftsmen and manufacturers. His talents can be seen throughout his family’s new James Island home, so take a look! Ashley (with new baby Avery) and Thomas Lauderdale of Advanced Kitchen Designs of Charleston stand in front of their custom mantle and recessed bookshelves accented with champfered columns and crown moulding.
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What would normally be an office off the foyer is now a perfectly feminine nursery, decorated with a sweet chandelier, pink painted ceiling, and a locally built (and designed by Thomas) custom cabinet with mullion glass doors, crystal hardware, and a hanging rod to display all of Avery’s tiny dresses.
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The “Weathered Slate” stain used on the island enhances the unique grain pattern in the hickory wood and complements the “Super White” honed granite. Strategically placed transom windows allow for staggered wall cabinetry (which continues to the counter), providing appliance storage and a great finishing spot for the full-tile backsplash.
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“For our two nine-year-old dogs, we designed the dog-bowl drawer. It rolls out for the dogs to eat and in when they are finished, so the bowls are not always showing,” says Thomas of the laundry room. In addition to that unique feature, the couple included a fold-up, drop-down ironing board on a swivel to efficiently utilize the space and match the cabinetry on the opposing wall.
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Using only the most unique cabinetry configurations throughout the house, the master bathroom is no exception. The “Agreeable Gray” Smithport double vanity has a blend of inset and full-overlay doors with a center column resting on a four-inch granite backsplash. The square hardware and framed-in mirrors complete the contemporary look.
For more information, call Advanced Kitchen Designs of Charleston at (843) 225-9344 or visit akd.biz.
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CH+D • Spring 2014
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Photography by Patrick Brickman
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