From Funky to Fantastic and Functional
This client’s house was originally constructed in 1911, before any thought was given to functional kitchens. Later, crude hand-built cabinets attempted to fill the storage and functionality gap. Later still a porch was attached off the kitchen to extend the kitchen a bit and to include the stairs to the basement as a part of the interior of the home in place of the “cellar door” arrangement.
Multiple limitations imposed by this house, lead to several creative solutions. First, an addition to the house was not an option. This left a rather limited footprint in which to expand the storage and counter space. The desire to open the wall between the dining room and kitchen, while retaining a lovely antique built-in added to the challenge. An existing walk-in pantry actually limited its storage capacity, as well as the ability to update the size of the refrigerator. The good news, is that none of these limitations prevented the redesign of a dazzling new kitchen with nearly double the storage and countertop space, that fit beautifully with original historic feel of the rest of the house
Elements/challenges of existing space include:
- Update kitchen for improved 2008 functionality while maintaining an eye towards its 1911 roots
- Redesign kitchen with extremely limited variations with convenient traffic patterns
- Restricted from increasing available space available
- Maximize storage and counter space
- Incorporate add-on porch as extension of new kitchen
- Keep antique built-in china display cabinet
- Open kitchen to dining room
Solutions:
- Install European Birch cabinets in a Honey Pecan finish to match existing original woodwork/trim
- Raise ceiling to original height
- Remove wall between kitchen and dining room
- Reposition antique built-in china display cabinet to otherwise useless wall in newly-designed kitchen
- Add 2nd row of 15” tall cabinets next to ceiling to echo older looking kitchen and add storage space
- Improved lighting (ambient, task and sparkle)
- Updated appliances (including new built-in location for oven and microwave)
- Tore out doorway to porch to create feeling of extended kitchen
- Replace poorly functioning walk-in pantry with a spacious pantry cabinet
- Install crown cabinet trim to match existing original crown trim
- Add custom made leaded glass inserts to cabinet above sink to match upper leaded glass pieces in antique cabinet
|
