Just wanted to share another kitchen remodel! This is a residence in Cottage Grove. The homeowners wanted to "open up" and update their existing kitchen.
This space has several challenges, some of them structural, some of them aesthetic and budgetary. Doors, windows, nooks, existing appliances, existing tongue and groove ceiling, base board radiant heaters and HVAC concerns, existing fireplace, and then some.
We began with a wish list, dishwasher, use existing appliances, island, bells and whistles, roll out trays, heavy duty drawers, plenty of counter space and no loss of storage.
By removing the peninsula cabinets there was a fear of possible loss of storage space. Removing the soffit and using taller cabinets to the ceiling plus the addition of an island replaces the storage previously found in the peninsula cabinets and then some.
In the original schematic design layout, we repositioned the stove(it is currently right next to the refrigerator-not ideal in the world of kitchen design) so it had a small counter on either side of the stove, the homeowner wanted one larger cabinet and counter space rather than the 2 smaller ones for storage reasons, so we left the stove alone, situated right next to the refrigerator.
You can see the new design...we incorporated glass top cabinets, used custom angled end base cabinets, added an island for maximum prep space, re-located the microwave over the stove. Installed a dishwasher near the sink, and replaced the old "mobile" dishwasher with a custom angled base cabinet. All the drawers are hardwood, dovetail construction with full extension glides. There are hardwood roll out trays in the base cabinets as well.
The cabinets are Maple with a spice stain. The counters are granite. The floor is a laminate which looks like tile(client selection).
The overall new look of the space is great, although there are a couple things I would do differently, the clients' satisfaction is most important. After all, they are the people who live there and use the space everyday.
As a designer, my goal is to educate my clients and guide them toward making the best design decisions which in turn creates the best design outcome. At the end of the day, the client may or may not agree with my suggestions. If not, no harm, if so, great of course. Individuals each have their own ideas, after all, we are human. The only reason I may have for adamantly directing the home owner in a different direction would be for safety, well fare, or code reasons.
