The unit was curvy on the end that was next to the hall that separated the dining room and the kitchen of the open-space plan of the first floor of Bette and Tina’s spacious duplex.   That curvy end of the unit had hand-turned recessed four-foot pillars painted Mediterranean blue to look like columns of light – a fun, quirky touch to the otherwise ultra-tech feel of the kitchen.

Lara also loved the circular cherrywood chandelier overhead that housed dozens of smaller concentric wooden circles inside the bigger circle, which also gave the kitchen a creative feel, just as the unexpected blue pillars did.

Additionally, as a cook she appreciated the thought given by Tina and Bette in embedding into the support of the kitchen floor something that made the floor “cushiony”.  A special effects expert from the movie business who was a friend of Tina’s, had designed that for them.  Thus the elegant ebony wood used for the flooring in the kitchen was laid over supporting beams that were interspersed with tiny springy devices, modeled after springs used in cars to keep a car ride smooth.

One of the things Lara loved best about the kitchen was its persistent scent of cleanliness, creating a sense of freshness in the air. Tina had explained that the air circulation system in that part of the duplex used discrete suctions found throughout the kitchen area that channeled air periodically to venting panels mounted on the top of the kitchen unit and on the ceiling.  Just as in the first class lounges in most modern airports, on which the venting systems were based, the vent system in the kitchen was electronically controlled to draw out air from the kitchen to the outside.  Cool air was constantly being channeled in, and stale air, out.  

Lara continued to explore the kitchen, mouth slightly agape as she discovered more and more features. As she did, Bette walked in, talking into her ear piece with the concierge service, “No…Tina is taking care of the flowers.  She’s particular about those, so you may want to check with her, if you plan to bring anything for the second floor."  She clicked out, and put the ear piece away.

Lara looked at her with a blissed-out smile, as she leaned forward on the vast, stand-alone stone island.