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After living in their Michigan home for about 20 years, these retirees were ready to tackle their dated, cramped kitchen, which was cut off from the dining room by a partition wall. They loved the warmth of the vaulted, stained wood ceiling but wanted a more open, functional space. They turned to designer Oliver McCarthy, who uses Houzz Pro software, for help.
McCarthy removed the partition and expanded the kitchen into the dining room, adding 180 square feet. The new layout accommodates a larger island with seating and storage. Two-tone cabinets in light mocha and earthy gray-brown add depth and maximize storage, while a few glass-front units and a wide gliding window over the farmhouse sink keep the space feeling light. Handy pullouts, a welcoming beverage nook, durable sand-colored porcelain tile flooring and sleek black appliances give the kitchen a sophisticated finish.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Troy VanLangen of Above the Horizon Media
Kitchen of the Week
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Ada, Michigan
Size: 330 square feet (31 square meters)
Designer: Oliver McCarthy of Delight In Designs
Before: The 150-square-foot kitchen, with its dark taupe walls, beige tile flooring and a vaulted stained wood ceiling, felt cramped. A long, narrow island had tight seating on two sides, and short honey oak cabinets offered limited storage. A bulky stainless steel refrigerator jutted past the cabinetry, making the footprint feel even smaller. “The kitchen felt disproportionate to the size and overall layout of the house,” McCarthy says.
The refrigerator and range sat on the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room, with a pass-through awkwardly placed above the range. “That didn’t seem very safe,” McCarthy says. A sink and short run of cabinets lined the adjacent back wall, while the wall on the right held shallow pantry closets. The doorway in the back right corner connects to the garage.
Before Photo
This wider view from the adjoining living room shows how the partition wall closed off the kitchen from the dining room on the left. It also highlights the existing skylight the homeowners wanted to keep. “They were definitely wanting to make the kitchen bigger but weren’t sure how much bigger to go and what to do with the dining room,” McCarthy says.
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After: McCarthy removed everything but the vaulted wood ceiling and skylight. “All the windows on that exterior wall were covered up and patched to make room for the new gliding window we added over the sink,” he says.
Taking down the partition and eliminating the formal dining room increased the size of the kitchen from 150 to 330 square feet. McCarthy says the couple used a previous addition to create a smaller dining and family area. Because most meals are now enjoyed at the new island, losing the formal dining room wasn’t a concern.
The expanded footprint allowed for a spacious island with seating and storage. Perimeter cabinets in light mocha contrast with the island’s earthy brown-gray finish. “When there’s an opportunity to do a two-tone look in this kind of large-sized space, it gives you the chance to do a more statement color for the island and go with a more neutral, timeless color on the perimeter,” McCarthy says.
A bronze-finish linear chandelier over the island coordinates with the island base and oil-rubbed bronze hardware. Tan performance leather swivel stools provide comfortable seating. A black stainless steel French door refrigerator now sits on the sink wall. “With that being the entry point from the garage, it’s a good place for them to unload groceries,” McCarthy says.
He used Houzz Pro to manage the project and create estimates.
Cabinetry: Concord 275 door style in Light Mocha (perimeter) and Urbane Bronze (island), Showplace Cabinetry; cabinetry hardware: Revitalize in oil-rubbed bronze, Amerock Hardware; stools: Russell, Amisco
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The island and perimeter counters are a durable 3-centimeter engineered quartz with a pale ivory background and soft gray and taupe veining. The floor is covered in 12-by-24-inch sand-colored porcelain tiles with medium taupe grout. “In my experience, the lighter your grout, the quicker it’s going to get dirty,” McCarthy says. “And being a larger-format tile, we went with a ⅓ offset brick pattern that eliminates any noticeable bowing or arching in the center of the tile.”
Walls painted a muted warm white (Sanctuary by Sherwin-Williams) with creamy white trim (White Sand by Sherwin-Williams) create a light, cozy backdrop. “The creamy white we used here doesn’t have those yellow undertones that some people don’t like,” McCarthy says.
Flooring: Regency in Sand, 12 by 24 inches, Virginia Tile Co.
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A 30-inch black stainless steel slide-in range with five burners, convection oven and a fingerprint-resistant finish gives the couple plenty of cooking flexibility for everyday meals and busy holidays. A custom oil-rubbed bronze sloped hood with a powerful fan ties in with the room’s other dark finishes. “The details on the vertical portion of the hood tie into the rivets seen on the stools at the island,” McCarthy says.
Illuminated glass-front upper cabinets lighten the range wall and showcase finer glassware and dishes. “Since they have a ton more storage than before, we felt it was a good opportunity to have that open display,” McCarthy says.
Custom hood: Sinda Copper Co.
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Pullouts on either side of the range keep essentials within reach, from canned goods to cooking tools. The pullout to the left contains a knife block and holders for utensils like ladles and spatulas, while the pullout in the foreground of this photo stores baking sheets and pans.
A coffee station to the left of the range hides equipment and supplies behind space-saving bifold doors. The backsplash consists of 2½-by-8-inch cotton white subway tiles with a handmade look, glossy glaze and black grout. “With having black accents everywhere else, it felt like a great chance to highlight an otherwise simple tile,” McCarthy says.
Above the range, a focal-point design of matte ceramic tiles with an aged bronze finish adds texture and depth. “I felt it was a nice accent to break up the space and an opportunity to add a fun or unique element,” McCarthy says.
Tile above range: Jonathan Adler Shelter Island in Aged Bronze, Lunada Bay Tile
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A 33-inch white farmhouse sink includes a basin rack and sound-dampening features. It’s paired with an oil-rubbed bronze pull-down faucet with docking technology and a three-function spray head. Three 13-inch outdoor-style sconces in the same finish brighten the area.
The 8-foot-wide custom gliding window frames backyard views. Its single sash slides horizontally for full ventilation, and the quartz sill matches the counters. “They didn’t want to go with something like a casement window that tends to get dirty during rainy weather,” McCarthy says.
Sconces: Brock in oiled bronze, Capital Lighting; sink: Turino, Kraus; faucet: Bellera in oil-rubbed bronze, Kohler; window: E-Series Gliding Window, Andersen Windows + Doors
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A fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel dishwasher sits to the right of the sink. A deep double pullout for trash and recycling is on the left. “There is also a blind corner cabinet there with a pivoting half-moon double shelf for storing additional canned goods and boxes of dry foods,” McCarthy says.
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The sink side of the island features a 15-inch beverage center, a black stainless microwave drawer with a concealed control panel and multiple drawers for kitchen essentials. “Some of those drawers have a peg system for organizing dishware,” McCarthy says. At the back, a new integrated beverage nook and upgraded pantry closet complete the space.
Microwave drawer: Sharp
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The beverage nook has lighted glass-front upper cabinets with oil-rubbed bronze knobs, an integrated wine rack and a quartz countertop that matches the island and perimeter counters. Lower cabinets with adjustable shelves store liquor bottles and extra glassware. The backsplash echoes the dimensional tiles above the range. “With this new kitchen, I really wanted to focus on function without sacrificing design,” McCarthy says.
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This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .
Before Photo
“After” photos by Regina Mallory Photography
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Size: 159 square feet (15 square meters), plus a mudroom and bar area of 231 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Amanda Colosi Johnson of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath
Before: The U-shaped layout worked for the family, but the dated finishes needed an update. The dark brown and cottage green cabinetry, along with vinyl tile flooring and standard appliances, had run their course. “This couple is a lot of fun and not afraid of color, pattern and texture,” Colosi Johnson says. “That’s why the homeowners painted those cabinets themselves that cottage green.”
A large refrigerator on the right jutted out from the cabinetry. A peninsula with two backless stools and hard-to-reach drawers separated the kitchen from the bar and mudroom area. The door on the near left leads to a sun porch, while the back doorway opens to a hall with a powder room. “We pursued looking into options on how we could change up the layout, but it didn’t make sense to do that,” Colosi Johnson says. “We wanted to problem-solve.”
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4. Consider Thermofoil or Laminate
You don’t always have to go with an all-plywood construction. Thermofoil and laminate are both excellent budget-friendly options.
Thermofoil is a type of plastic finish applied to a medium-density fiberboard or other type of engineered wood core. It’s durable and easy to clean, and costs significantly less than wood. Laminate is likewise much less expensive than wood. It generally holds up well over time, though it isn’t as strong as wood. It’s more susceptible to moisture as well.
There are a few considerations to make if you decide to buy thermofoil or laminate cabinets. You will need to place delamination heat shields near your range. You may also want an all-plywood sink base or a sink mat for extra protection against moisture.
As a bonus, you can use the extra savings from laminate and thermofoil to add details to your cabinetry, including crown molding, corbels and a decorative door style.
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In 2011, design-build pro Jared Lewis and his wife, Katherine, moved into their 1962 traditional-style home in Scotts Valley, California. Over the years, the couple updated the house in phases to create more of a coastal cottage style. In 2017, they built an 8-foot addition for a new open-concept kitchen and dining room.
But after living with the kitchen for a number of years, they felt that while many of the elements looked and functioned fine, the bright white cabinets and blue island base dated the space. Seeking more warmth and a current look, they teamed up with designer Kerry Gillette, who used Houzz Pro software, for a refresh.
Now creamy white cabinets and a soft beige paint on the island base create a warm and inviting style. New rustic wood ceiling beams and wood-look flooring add more warmth. The flooring material and stools upholstered in performance fabric introduce durable details that stand up to frequent guests.
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After: LaFreniere replaced the cooktop and wall ovens with a sleek 36-inch Bertazzoni induction range centered on the back wall. The countertop material extends up the wall to create a range backsplash, terminating with a narrow shelf in the same material, and above it is a custom hood that blends in with the wall color (Sherwin-Williams’ Greek Villa). Although the home is equipped with gas, the environmentally aware homeowners preferred induction because of its energy efficiency. They also opted to sand and stain the existing red oak floors rather than replace them.
Meanwhile, LaFreniere tackled the countertop clutter from the inside out.
“When I do kitchens, I focus on what’s inside of the cabinet,” she says. “I go through the homeowners’ small appliances, every pot, every utensil, spices [and] Tupperware and really make sure that there’s a place for everything.”
On one side of the range is a utensil pullout with a knife block and towel storage, and on the other side is a spice pullout. LaFreniere eliminated the lazy Susan. “I don’t do corner cabinets,” she says. “I find them to be completely useless, no matter whether a lazy Susan or the kidney pullouts. I just leave them empty.”
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1. Airy Maple
Designer: Carlos Nyce of TriVistaUSA Design + Build
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 168 square feet (16 square meters); 11 feet, 8 inches by 14 feet, 5 inches
Homeowners’ request. “The client came to us seeking to improve their home layout, with one of the main goals being to enhance the flow for better entertainment space,” designer Carlos Nyce says. “They desired an open, functional kitchen layout, but the existing space didn’t allow for that. As part of our architectural design proposal, we suggested relocating the kitchen to the opposite side of the house, where more space was available. This change allowed us to reconfigure the kitchen, adding a highly functional island and additional storage. The client’s aesthetic preferences leaned toward clean lines, bright, warm wood tones, with touches of industrial style and a bit of glam.”
Wood cabinets. Natural maple wood cabinets in a matte finish. “They wanted their kitchen to feel bright, warm and cozy, while also introducing some industrial elements for contrast,” Nyce says. “We worked with the concept of using a lighter tone around the perimeter, paired with darker accents on the island, hardware and other details. The house facade featured black-painted brick, and [the homeowners] were keen on incorporating this dark color into the interior details. By integrating natural maple matte wood cabinets along the perimeter with a white brick-look tile backsplash, we achieved the perfect balance of cozy and industrial. The island, painted in Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black, stands out against the lighter backdrop and provides just the right amount of darkness they were looking for.”
Other special features. Marble-look quartz countertops.
Designer tip. “Balance is key,” Nyce says. “To achieve the perfect look, you first need a clear reference for where you want your design to go. If you’re blending multiple styles, the key is always balance — incorporating textures, colors, materials and elements in the right proportions so the space feels harmonious.”
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4. Appliances
With advances in technology and efficiency, new appliances are an important upgrade for many renovating homeowners.
Among large kitchen appliances, renovating homeowners go for dishwashers (71%) and microwaves (70%) most frequently, followed by ranges (64%), refrigerator-freezer combinations (62%) and range hoods (61%). Homeowners also frequently upgrade cooktops (39%) and wall ovens (31%), while smaller shares opt for beverage refrigerators (18%) and wine refrigerators (14%).
For the most part, homeowners prioritize quality and aesthetics over cost. Quality is the top priority, influencing 64% of homeowners, while look and feel is most important for 50%. Though cost is a lower priority for most, 29% of renovating homeowners still cite it as the reason for their appliance purchase. Substantial shares also prioritize size (27%), specialty features (25%) and energy efficiency (22%).
Meanwhile, stainless steel is by far the leading choice for appliances, chosen by 74% of homeowners. White (7%), black stainless steel (5%) and black (3%) trail far behind.
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After: Removing the upper cabinets around the range and adding a tall white range hood (in budget-friendly plaster) cleared things up nicely to start. Then Merz refaced all the lower perimeter cabinets in white oak and painted the island base in Ballet White by Benjamin Moore to match the walls and the cabinets around the sink, which now sport custom inserts.
Four cabinet hardware styles jazz up the look further: acrylic-and-brass pulls on the drawers, brass knobs on the perimeter doors, custom horn pulls on some of the island drawers and matte black knobs on the glass-front doors.
Other minimally invasive moves that made a major impact: extending the backsplash tile to the ceiling, adding a marble shelf (made from a remnant), placing sconces on the stove wall and swapping a dark runner for a light-colored patterned one.
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5. Place Things Near Where They’re Used
Once you’ve grouped your items, plan to place them in cabinets or drawers close to where their function is performed.
In the pantry, place the foods that you use most often in the easiest-to-reach places. (One possible exception: “If you think you eat too many snacks, put those up high so you don’t see them as often, and it’s more of a to-do to get them,” says Tori Cohen, an organizing and decluttering specialist in New York City.)
While you’re working out what to store in each cabinet or drawer, Duncan suggests placing temporary labels made of blue painters tape on the cabinet or drawer where each group is going. This will help you get a sense of how your storage plan is shaping up and simplify making adjustments as you go.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Duanesburg, New York
Size: 275 square feet (26 square meters)
Design-build pro: Marianne A. Clifford of Marianne Ashley Designs
Clifford removed the old appliances, cabinets, counters and floor, along with the two-level island, making way for a more than 12-foot-wide, one-level island with seating and storage. “It offers a lot more options on how the island can be used,” she says. The new layout improves sightlines and makes the kitchen feel open and inviting.
The island base and perimeter cabinets are semicustom cherry flat-panels with a natural finish and matte black ledge pulls. “A lot of the woodwork in their home was already cherry, so we wanted to create a unified look,” Clifford says.
The upgraded stainless steel refrigerator stayed in place, while an added open upper cabinet and tall pantry on the side expand storage. “There are hooks inside that pantry cabinet for hanging a step stool and broom,” Clifford says.
Modern counter stools with cognac leather upholstery and curved low backs sit at the island, while contemporary pendant lights with etched opal glass shades and matte black frames hang overhead. The ceiling has new LED recessed lights on dimmers. “This gives them full control,” Clifford says.
Pendant lights: Somerset, Hinkley Lighting; stools: Zion, Ballard Designs
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