When Wayne Panza from Topaz Builders Inc. had the opportunity to a build a new home in The Hamptons, he felt the urge to do something different. The builder, with more than 17 years of experience, wanted to break away from the traditional white cedar shake siding homes that are synonymous with the coastal community.

Drawing inspiration from his own home remodel, Panza set out to build a home that blends a rustic exterior with a modern interior. “I fell in love with the rustic-meets-modern concept when building my own house, which is a restored barn,” he explained. “This look differs from the norm out here, so I wanted to keep it going and apply the style to another project.”

With a clear design vision, every detail of the two-story 5,300-sq-ft home was meticulously planned. Each material was thoughtfully chosen to bring luxurious comfort to every room, including the coastal-inspired shiplap paneling in the living room, the full slabs of soothing stone in the bathroom and the lush kitchen cabinet surfaces provided by REHAU RAUVISIO HouseSM lines.

After using RAUVISIO noir monotonic matte surface for the cabinets in his own home, Panza knew this self-healing material was the right fit for this one-of-a-kind Hamptons home. “RAUVISIO surfaces make an amazing statement,” he said.

Panza collaborated with Jimmy Gavalas from Atlantis Kitchens to execute the design vision for the kitchen cabinets, aspiring to achieve a fresh-feeling kitchen with minimal clutter. The duo delivered modern flair and captivating contrast by pairing the matte black of RAUVISIO noir After Dark with the bright white of RAUVISIO noir High Low. “RAUVISIO surfaces are a superior, top-shelf product with a unique color offering,” said Gavalas. “The super matte look and smooth-to-the-touch finish add an upscale feel to home design.”

While using large amounts of dark color in a kitchen can be hit-or-miss, it was a risk that Gavalas and Panza were willing to take after seeing RAUVISIO noir After Dark samples. “It can be challenging trying to make dark colors work in a kitchen – you don’t want to close in the space,” explained Gavalas. “The ultra matte, soft appearance of After Dark made us willing to gamble with using larger amounts of a darker surface color. It turned out wonderful.”

The kitchen design strikes a balance between a minimalist aesthetic and functionality. Panza noted, “I like kitchens with minimal hardware, so I tried to incorporate a clean, sharp look in this design without sacrificing functionality.”

A mix of touch-to-open cabinets and cabinets with handles from Omnia’s Ultima Collection contribute to a pristine design while providing ample storage space. To further minimize clutter, hidden door systems were installed throughout the home, including the pantry in the kitchen. The cabinets were finished with perfectly matched REHAU LaserEdge technology, delivering a seamless joint between the edgeband and board that elevates the polished kitchen design.

The new construction masterpiece embodies both modern elegance and rustic coastal living, as seen in the carefully selected materials throughout the home. “While not commonly seen in The Hamptons, modern flair is slowly becoming a trend out here,” said Gavalas. “Wayne was willing to gamble with this contemporary look and matte finishes…and it paid off."