This is a typical early 1980 rancher, complete with the typical brown cabinets and laminate counters. (The circles on the wall cabinets are baskets.)
The clients, coming up to their lucky retirement years, were looking forward to a more contemporary kitchen to suit their modern tastes.
When we went to their house, the first thing we suggested was to get rid of the peninsula. Normally, a U-shaped kitchen with appliances on three walls like this one, would only have the smallest of islands.
We designed the room so that the refrigerator was relocated to the back wall where the lovely over-under range and microwave were. (We're joking about the "lovely.")
Designing lesser depth pantry storage, in this case, 12" and 15", allows for a wider island. The pantries are more efficient too--easier-to-reach storage for small appliances like waffle-makers, or blenders--without requiring rollout shelves. The upper glass doors showcase souvenirs the client received during business travel around the world.
A note: The days of "wallpapering" the
walls with cabinets -- at least for mid-to-higher end residential design -- are over. In this case, staggering the heights and depths provides a bit of interest to a simple design.
The eating table was eliminated for a couple of stools at the end of the island (no children; company is invited to the dining room instead.)
What a difference a good lighting plan and a coffered ceiling make!
The project grew to include into a living room fireplace and a powder room. Here is the before and after of the fireplace. (The "before" fireplace is the blue one)
What a difference color makes, don't you think?
The powder room for this same project is currently one of five featured in Dec. 2007 Kitchen and Bath Business which you can see here.
