Dysfunctional Kitchen Updated With Clever Design

The original kitchen in this 1930’s era home had received minor updates over the years. But the floor plan was still awkward and inefficient. The homeowner did her best to create more storage by using baskets tucked in corners and bags hung on the walls. Unfortunately, no matter what systems she employed, her frustration level was high. Trying to prep food for entertaining was always a challenge. What she really needed was a kitchen that could accommodate her desired lifestyle of gracious hospitality.

When a kitchen is cramped like this one was, it is easy to think that building an addition is the only option. However, without adding a square inch of space, C&R designers created solutions to make this kitchen efficient, beautiful, and a joy to use.

A smart cabinet layout provides more than enough storage for an ambitious cook. Eco-friendly components complement everyone’s desire to tread lightly on the environment. And at the owner’s request,  a period-honoring color palette brightens Oregon’s consistently gray winter days.

Before and After:

The Plan

The Designers began by creating a floor plan that made efficient use of existing space—including relocating the exterior door opening from an awkward back corner to the center of the exterior wall. This made a workflow-friendly layout possible. At every opportunity, drawers were specified because drawers are so much more efficient than doors and slide-outs. The existing vent ducting that ran from above the range, along the ceiling, and out the back of the house is now hidden behind a spacious pantry beside and above the refrigerator. Double Lazy Susans make good use of the two corners. A glass-door cabinet houses colorful items that can be enjoyed and yet protected from full exposure.

Making It Happen

C&R craftsmen gutted the whole space, wired new electrical and put up new sheetrock. They installed a new gas range flanked by white cabinets and Quartz countertops, a new hood, upper cabinets and a special-order Bio-fresh refrigerator. On the opposite side, they built in more cabinets (which include an astonishing amount of accessible storage), Quartz countertops, and a tall apron sink. The homeowner reports that the short divider in the sink is perfect for multiple uses–whether she needs two basins or when she needs just one large one.

The Illusion of More Space

Our design plan included relocation of the refrigerator away from the wall separating kitchen and dining rooms. We enlarged the opening between the two spaces creating a gracious transition area. This transition area is perfect for the new floating shelves and a buffet cabinet with wine rack. A polished quartz countertop atop the buffet flows seamlessly to the adjacent kitchen cabinets, enhancing the relationship between the two spaces. By opening the wall just a bit more between the two rooms, guests can now be a part of the prep, cooking, and cleanup or they can enjoy watching and visiting from the dining table. The buffet and floating shelves are the perfect place to serve food and display artwork.

Historical Details Included

Complimenting the kitchen’s updated convenience are details that pay homage to the home’s history.  To match the original 1935-era windows, a new historically correct double-hung window is surrounded by frosted white subway tile and decorative tiles in period colors of orange, eggplant, and blue. A traditional hexagon tile mosaic is the eye-catching focal point above the range. Flooring is a period Marmoleum—the modern, eco-friendly version of traditional linoleum. Other details relating to the home’s history include crystal doorknobs on French doors leading to the basement.

When you visit this home, all the details make sense as a whole. This is exactly what design should accomplish!

THE Back Door

And the old back door? It was replaced with a bright, beautiful Dutch door that opens out to a patio of custom pavers and beautiful landscaping. It offers the option of opening the top half to enjoy the fresh air (and keep the cat confined!) or open completely to access the back yard. A retractable screen door tucks discretely to the left for those times when the Dutch Door is either partially or fully open.

Details

• Design service including plans and permits
• Complete demo of kitchen
• Frame new wider opening between kitchen and dining room
• Relocate back door to center of exterior wall
• New Dutch Door to back yard and new landing
• New electrical plan including recessed and under-cabinet lighting
• New cabinetry throughout
• New Pental Quartz Avenza countertops
• New backsplash in white frosted and deco tiles
• Custom backsplash mosaic behind range
• New paint throughout
• New Marmoleum flooring
• New French Doors to basement
• New dual fuel range
• New Bio-fresh vegetarian-friendly refrigerator

“I love the way it’s so easy to prepare and then entertain and clean up in my new kitchen!”  –Homeowner

We remodeled another very small kitchen that turned out beautifully as well. Check it out here.

Are you ready to update your own small kitchen in a meaningful way? Our designers will help you find the perfect design that makes the most of the space you have. Contact C&R today to schedule your free in-home consultation! Are you curious what happens after the first consultation? Click here to see how our process works. Our goal is to make your design, selections, and remodeling as easy as it can possibly be.

Professional photos by David Papazian Photography