Savannah Showhouse

Introduction

Renowned for creating traditional interiors with a modern vibe for clients throughout the Southeast, Lisa Mende has become a sought-after designer with numerous high-profile historic home renovations to her credit. As the kitchen designer for the Southern Style Now / Traditional Home Savannah Showhouse, Mende was able to capture historic Southern charm and sophistication in a classic Greek revival row house that benefitted the Historic Savannah Foundation.

The  Story

Considering the state of the kitchen prior to renovation, Mende had her work cut out for her. Not only was the space absent of modern sensibilities and functionality, there were structural issues to be addressed. From removing a window that revealed a “way too close” neighbor to creating a wall for the sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator, Mende totally transformed the space. She brought in open shelves, frameless cabinets, an apron-front sink, and more. These elements helped the home meet national preservation standards with strict historic guidelines while also serving to make the space livable and inviting for a family at home in this century. The result is a colorful room that is perfect for gathering, cooking, and spending time together.

To help achieve her vision for the kitchen, Lisa turned to Crossville for a unique surfacing solution.

With the open shelves, Mende created a focus wall for the sink and chose Crossville Porcelain Tile Panels by Laminam as the backsplash for this main feature. The marble look of Calacatta Oro Venato Bookmatch in the I Naturali collection allowed Mende to achieve a classic Greek style with the all the performance benefits of porcelain. The lean profile and generous outer dimensions of the porcelain tile panels create a look of nearly uninterrupted tile that required minimal grout lines for a sleek installation. With Crossville’s innovative tile panels, Mende found a perfect solution for longevity, durability ,and ease of cleaning for the homeowner.