Case Study: A Designer's Own Custom Italian Kitchen in Pinecrest, FL

When an interior designer builds her own home, the standards for materials, vendors, and execution are entirely different. Having spent her career specifying luxury kitchens and custom millwork for clients across Miami, Daphne Martino of Interiors by Daphne knows the industry inside out. She knows the vendors, the lead times, and the promises that often fall short.

So when it came time to design the kitchen for her own residence in Pinecrest, Florida, she interviewed ten different cabinetry companies. Ultimately, she chose to collaborate with Pedini by Daruso to bring her vision to life.

"I interviewed David, along with nine other kitchen companies. We're in the business, so we have a lot of vendors who we trust and work with," Martino explained. "But in the end, I chose to work with David and Pedini."

The Vision: Warmth, Texture, and Architectural Precision

The goal for the Pinecrest residence was to create a kitchen that felt less like a utilitarian space and more like a curated, architectural centerpiece of the home. The design required a delicate balance between the warmth of natural materials and the precision of modern Italian engineering.

To achieve this, the kitchen was designed using Pedini’s Rovere Smart Oak finish. This specific material captures the organic grain and tactile warmth of European oak, but is engineered to offer superior durability and longevity—essential for a high-traffic family kitchen.

The flat-panel wood cabinetry was paired with striking black-framed fluted glass display doors, transforming functional storage into a piece of furniture designed to showcase curated objects.

Custom Cabinetry Details and Specifications

Every element of this Pinecrest custom kitchen was tailored to Martino's exact specifications, reflecting the limitless customization capabilities of Pedini's Italian manufacturing.

•Cabinet Finish: Rovere Smart Oak Wood Texture

•Door Style: Flat Panel combined with Fluted Glass Inserts

•Frame Detail: Black Anodised Aluminium

•Hardware: Brushed Brass Pull Handles

•Countertop & Backsplash: Calacatta Marble Slab (Full Height)

•Integrated Features: Concealed Wine Fridge Column and Pot Filler

"We designed this kitchen together. I was very specific about the finishes I wanted," Martino noted. "Pedini and the whole team were adamant that they could deliver. We sent some samples to Italy. They sent us back stuff. It was exactly what I was looking for."

A Seamless Collaboration from Concept to Installation

For interior designers and homeowners alike, the true test of a custom cabinetry partner is not just the quality of the product, but the reliability of the execution. From the initial design consultations to the final installation of the brass hardware and Calacatta marble, the project was defined by seamless communication and exacting standards.

The resulting space—which includes both the main kitchen and an integrated hidden bar area—has become the heart of the home. "It's probably the favorite part of the house for everybody here," Martino shared.

As an interior designer who has specified kitchens for hundreds of clients, Martino's decision to choose Pedini for her own home stands as one of the most credible endorsements of our work.

Start Your Custom Kitchen Project in Miami

Pedini by Daruso is South Florida's premier destination for luxury Italian cabinetry and custom millwork. Whether you are an interior designer working on a client's new build, or a homeowner planning a complete kitchen remodel, we provide end-to-end design and installation services.

Experience our finishes, including the Rovere Smart Oak featured in this Pinecrest home, by visiting our showrooms in Coral Gables or the Miami Design District.

Book a Design Consultation Today to begin bringing your architectural vision to life.