The story below is from our November/December 2021 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
Two homeowners revive dated spaces with looks that are anything but basic.
The kitchen: it’s where we often start our days with a cup of coffee or tea, and end them when the dishwasher is humming and we head to bed. A well designed and organized space can brighten our mood and make the daily tasks of life easier.
Two local homeowners desired updated kitchens that fit with their design personalities and need for greater function. Eschewing the white painted cabinetry that has dominated kitchen design in recent years, these homeowners opted for warmer wood and wood-look cabinetry, a trend that is hot and getting hotter.
We talked with these kitchen designers, who told us why they made the decisions they did. If you dream of a shiny new kitchen that feels fresh but isn’t white, read on and get inspired!
Project: New kitchen in existing brick colonial loses peninsula, gains island
Contractor: F&S Building Innovations
Designer: Jessie Cunningham
“The homeowners wanted a kitchen that reflected their style and personality, and they wanted more function and storage space,” says Jessie Cunningham, who spearheaded the project as designer. An awkward pantry cabinet occupied the area under the stairs, so it cut at an odd angle, and was not very usable. A peninsula divided the kitchen and dining area, cramping the kitchen footprint. “A microwave over the range and dark countertops visually closed things in, too,” Cunningham explains.
The peninsula, a hallmark of kitchens built before the 2000s, was cut from the new floor plan in favor of a long rectangular island with a prep sink, for a family who loves to cook and entertain. Two seats were added at the end, so the couple’s children can work on homework or be near their parents while dinner is prepared. The microwave was moved from over the range to a spot in the island, for looks and better function.
The awkward pantry was demolished in favor of a bank of floor to ceiling cabinets, including pantry space, that are more accessible. The awkward angle of the stairs is hidden behind cabinetry above the refrigerator, which was relocated from the main area of the kitchen to this space in the new plan.
“In the old kitchen, the fridge was to the left of the range on the corner, and it was such a heavy visual weight, it didn’t allow your eye to move through the room,” says Cunningham. “Moving the fridge allowed us to slide the range to the center of the space and add the stainless steel range hood, which is now the focal point of that wall.”
Custom, matte-stained hickory wood cabinets on the kitchen’s perimeter go all the way to the ceiling, providing more storage than the previous cabinets, which did not extend as high. The perimeter is covered in a granite countertop in a creamy, gray and black palette. The island provides a contrast and breaks up the wood with a gray/blue paint tone on the base cabinets, and is topped with a maple butcher block counter.
The result is a warm, welcoming kitchen with an expanded footprint and more storage—a perfect fit for the young family who calls this house home.
Steal this Style!
A peninsula in a kitchen creates an awkward corner and disrupts traffic flow. Swap for an island if possible.
Extending cabinets to the ceiling adds storage space and visually expands the room.
Think beyond white cabinets—stained cabinets are back in vogue.
Project: Modern cabinetry lends European vibe in historic home
Contractor: Reico Kitchen & Bath
Designer: Kasey Blake
When a Salem couple came to Reico for a to-the-studs renovation, they had a clear vision. “They wanted something different than the typical white kitchen,” says designer Kasey Blake. “Modern and updated was the idea, and they went with a textured laminate, which is popular in Europe but you don’t see a lot of it here.”
The historic home was built in the 1920s, and had a small kitchen and a choppy layout, consistent with the time period. A small kitchen, morning room and formal dining rooms were all connected, but lacked flow. Walls were removed to create a larger kitchen space, which is abutted by the dining room, which was kept as is.
The semi-custom textured laminate, frameless cabinets on the kitchen’s perimeter have the appearance of aged wood, but are a breeze to clean because of the laminate surface, which is helpful for this family with children. The island is a creamy white, which provides contrast and pairs well with the marble countertops, which are featured throughout the kitchen.
The island sink is anchored by a faucet in burnished brass, which is echoed on the cabinet pulls and pot filler behind the range. To-the-ceiling cabinetry on the range wall provides hidden and visible storage, and a bank of cabinets that run the length of the longest wall, under the windows, allows the kitchen to be bathed in light while also creating work and storage space.
The long rectangular island has seating for four, for casual meals, homework assignments and a cup of coffee, which can be enjoyed while catching up on the news via the small television tucked into the row of pantry cabinets. A recessed, stand alone refrigerator optimizes space, keeping the walkway from the back door clear. Modern glass pendants over the island and the cabinets at the window are the finishing touch in a space that feels modern, but right at home in a house that has stood the test of time.
The story above is from our November/December 2021. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!
