Project Description
The purpose of this project was to modernize a dark 60’s era home. The objectives included improving the functionality of the kitchen by enlarging it and creating a great room, improving the aesthetic of the kitchen by bringing in natural light and updated finishes, and updating the dining room. The clients wanted a bright open plan space that would allow for easy entertaining and comfortable day to day living.
The existing 162 square foot kitchen was dark! Design challenges included dark paneled walls, a low ceiling, small openings to adjacent rooms and fluorescent lighting all contributing to a dreary feeling. To further complicate matters, there was no way to add onto the kitchen from the exterior of the house – any enlargement of the kitchen would come at the cost of existing space.
In order to create the unified open plan the clients wanted and create more kitchen space, interior walls were removed and the ceiling reworked. The ceiling of the adjacent, equally dark family room had interesting beam details that were lost in the great expanse of paneling. When the wall separating the kitchen from the family room was removed, the beam detail was added to the remodeled kitchen space and painted white to draw ones eye up and create a greater sense of space. The adjacent laundry room was also reworked in order to gain additional square footage for the kitchen. New low-e coated windows were installed to provide as much natural light as possible while also being energy efficient. The new kitchen is now 250 square feet with abundant counter space, natural light and storage. New stainless steel appliances, white Shaker-style cabinets, modern mosaic and metallic backsplashes, and granite counters complete the update.
The project was extremely successful. The dated home now feels open, light, bright and modern. The kitchen works for the family daily and when entertaining friends. Upon seeing the renovated kitchen, the previous homeowner was ready to buy the home back! The clients are extremely happy with their renovated home!