Suburban modern

Material search

The Slyes found appliances and finishes in books and on the Internet to create their unique look. "We really like the '50s aesthetic," Christy says. "But we wanted to juice it up with color and modern appliances."

For example, they wanted terrazzo floors, but the weight and the cost of the composite flooring (made of bits of natural stone in concrete) proved too heavy for their foundation and pocketbook. They searched the Web for "terrazzo floors" and found a company that makes a lighter, less expensive flooring, called Fritztile, by suspending bits of natural stone in resin. The product is most often used in commercial buildings, but it was the perfect solution for their kitchen.

DESIGN:  Philip Volkmann, Barry & Volkmann Architects, Danville, CA (925/837-1422)