Senior designer Becca Bastyr’s vision for the space was to provide better functionality and accessibility while also giving it a more updated aesthetic. By blending craftsman finishes, two toned cabinetry, smart storage solutions and all new appliances, our clients were over the moon excited for their new and improved space!
CLIENT NEEDS:
Update all finishes, cabinets, appliances, lights, sink, etc.
New, durable flooring that could withstand in-floor heating.
Increase ample storage with better functionality.
A space for grandkids to hang out and do homework, crafts, read, etc.
Make it easier to cook; a better work space and “flow”.
Reduce counter clutter (appliances, mail, etc.)
Easy and immediate access to the coffee pot, toaster & microwave (preferrably near sink)
Must reuse existing heirloom dining and kitchen tables.
Durable and attractive finishes.
Improve upon lighting, the existing space had can lights in odd locations and not enough task lighting.
Replace the carpet in dining room with something that is less difficult to maintain.
Maintain a space with double wall ovens and separate cooktop, just with better placement.
A kitchen with character, no white cabinets!
FUNCTIONALITY:
The improved space lends a hand to cooking, eating, entertaining large family and friend groups, cocktail parties, morning coffee while watching the news and most importantly grandkids spending time in kitchen/dining area after school!
A banquette with storage was added to the dining room for storage of less used items that were taking up space in the kitchen prior to the renovation.
The small island was removed and replaced by a large peninsula which increased their counter space by 50%.
The single window was replaced by a double window. Before, the small window dictated the size of the sink, the larger window gave us the ability to install a larger sink, further from the adjacent countertop.
We changed the location of the fridge to the wall-to-ceiling pantry area which gave us the option to install the cook top against the wall. This provided more functional cooking, because of the closer proximity to the sink, and more usable counterspace on either side of the cook top.
Built-in bench seating was installed at the kitchen table area which increased the amount of seating at the table.
The island was eliminated and replaced by a peninsula which improved traffic flow in the cooking area and doesn’t allow for the grandkids to run around the kitchen.
The fridge moved off to the side keeping traffic to and from the fridge out of the cooking area.
Counter to ceiling cabinets were installed near the sink. A pop up lower door houses the coffee pot, toaster and a small microwave. This provides accessibility to these appliances in a more concealed space – goodbye clutter!
FUNCTIONALITY CONTINUED:
The cook top was updated from electric to induction for faster heating and less danger from hot surfaces!
Pull out storage drawers in the pantry increased amount of storage space and also provided more functional storage! There is also a countertop height shelf in a cabinet for the blender and stand mixer!
The flooring was replaced in both the kitchen and dining areas (and hallways) with Porcelain tile flooring (non-porous, very low-maintenance, works well with in-floor heat).
A drop zone in the pantry area made of separate cubbies (for tablets, phones, chargers, mail, etc.) also doubles as a charging station!
We minimized the amount of upper cabinets for easier access to dishes, containers, etc. The lower cabinets are mostly drawers – did we mention easy access?
A hidden pull out trash can located in cabinet by sink.
Quartz countertops provide added durability and beauty!
A handy beverage fridge in the dining room reduced kitchen traffic during happy hours and cocktail parties – and the banquette seating will help with that too!
Additional counter space at dining room banquette for serving food for parties, holidays, etc.
An all new lighting plan with an increased amount of can lights, pendant lights over the peninsula, sconce lighting in dining room as well as under cabinet lights at the upper cabinets.
AESTHETICS
The clients wanted a unique, craftsman inspired space.
A white kitchen was completely out of the picture! The green cabinetry was selected by the designer since they had a lot of green in other areas of the house.
A copper faucet, custom hammered copper sink and hood speaks to the craftsman aesthetic the clients dreamed of having.
The slate back splash pulled in more of the natural tones the clients love.
Craftsman stained wood upper cabinets and shaker door fronts.
They wanted black finish hardware to stylistically stand the test of time.
Simple and sleek induction cook top.
Beautiful and durable quartz countertops.
Custom colors were created for both the cabinets and the banquette bench.
Custom stain on upper cabinets and pre-existing millwork.
Linen-finish porcelain tile floors.
Stunning green cabinetry!
Pantry wall with floor-to-ceiling pantry doors, increased storage solutions, pull out drawers, etc.
The focal point of the kitchen is the copper hood centered on the wall flanked by the wood uppers. It creates a warm and inviting feel to the whole space.
Counter to ceiling cabinet and overall less upper cabinets!
Overall new flow of the space.
PROJECT CHALLENGES:
The sink was centered on the middle of the pre-existing window which forced its size due to the adjacent countertop proximity. This meant they were always leaning on the countertop when doing the dishes and squeezing themselves between the constricting upper cabinets.
The in-floor heating system was not installed correctly and the sub-floor was damaged and burnt in some spots. We ended up replacing both the in-floor heating (correctly) and the flooring to provide a more durable finish.
The inset TV was intended to be installed into the wall but the existing brick was too close to the face of the wall to allow for that (by code) and was eliminated from the project.
The fixed in wall plumbing on the far side of pantry minimized the overall amount of pantry space.
COVID-19 substantially slowed down the project because we were only allowing one subcontractor to work in the home at all times.
When we demoed the kitchen, we found water damage from the old dish washer that required ceiling and wall repair in the basement. Since the water damage was not initially known about, there was tight scheduling for repairing the damage. With patient and understanding clients as well as excellent project management we were able to remediate the issue in a timely manner.
CRAFTSMANSHIP/INNOVATION:
The induction cook top was used to reduce the footprint of the cooking surface in the kitchen.
Overall we used less upper kitchen cabinets, which is not common in kitchen design.
The custom cabinet wall maximizes storage space.
Ample bench seating with hidden storage.
