The goal with the new design for this 70’s galley kitchen was to increase the useable space, add safety and accessi-bility for a special needs individual and create a sanctuary for the care giving spouse. The customer expressed when describing her needs that she wanted to spoil herself. She needed a place where she could enjoy her personal time as well as an inviting place for her family. Being the care giver of her spouse who suf-fers from a brain injury, she must be able to look across the house with limited obstructions. Her husband, very functional in many ways, needed to be able to access food storage. He also needed to be able to travel through the kitchen with limited hazards to encounter.

D/W

292 sq ft

3'-5 15/16"

2'-7

3/4

"

10'-3 7/8"

7'-7 1/4"2'

-7 3

/4"

5'-1

1 1/

8"

8'-6"

4'-9 3/8"

9'-1

0 3/

16"

29'-0"

10'-6"19'-0 1/8"

9'-1

0 7/

8"

2'-1

7/8

"5'

-9"

2'-0

"

29'-0"

27'-0" 2'-0"

Before K itchen

2868

3068

4668

6468

3040DH

3068

15170

306 8

30683068

REF.

2868

2868

2868

6468

4'-3" 3'-0 11/16"

3'-5 3/8"

2'-0"9'-1"

3'-1

15/

16"

0 1/

2"

2'-6 3/16"2'-0"

11'-11 3/4"

3'-5 15/16"

1'-5"

2'-6 1/16"

3'-6 1/4"

New Kitchen

The home owner had a desire to create a very warm and visually pleasing space. She was concerned initially about the layout of the house and how new space can be gained without compromising the functionality of the adjacent rooms. The kitchen is surrounded by a large living room along one side, a dinning room on one end, an exterior wall on the other end and a once carport and now a closed in garage on the other. The garage was not square to the rest of the structure which allowed space that was not used for parking to be used for the expansion. Challenges were encountered with the wall between the kitchen and the garage. This wall was originally an exterior wall which supports the roof system. In addition to that the living room wall on the opposite side of the kitchen supports a large vaulted ceiling. Heavy beam work had to be constructed to sup-port the roof and ceiling systems. This was done without creating visual obstacles by concealing the support beams above the newly raised ceiling.

Before After

Before

After

Before

Before

After

After

The ceiling was raised 7” to create an illusion of a height in the room. Faux beams were added to frame the room and to add an architectural feature. A discovery by the home owner of a small vault opportunity over the new French doors created a space that the home owner calls her “chapel”. The beams frame the pentagon shaped vault and concealed lighting illuminates the angled ceiling to set the mood for this space. The walls were moved out into the garage to add approxi-mately 75 square feet to the room. This allowed depth for the cook top area, a desk area, a “mud room” entry from the garage and an additional doorway leading out to a new outdoor living space. The existing pantry and wet bar were removed to allow an expanded opening to be cre-ated. This opening provides complete visibility into the living room and allows the two spaces to function to-gether.

The 6” oak grid that frames the four 18”X18” multi colored stone patterned tiles is laid on a 45 degree angle to the room. The oak crosses the entire room and is bound by perimeter banding that follows the foot print of the cabi-netry. This feature broadens the feel of the room and ties the various mini spaces together. The maple cabinetry was hand made to fit the tight spaces in this kitchen. Every inch incorporates storage features to maximize space and accessibility. Pull out pan-try units flank both sides of the refrigerator. This was cho-sen instead of traditional pantry cabinets that are deep and difficult to access. The absences of outside 90 degree corners allow easier flow when traveling through this room. Feature storage for decorative wares was included to balance the kitchen. Seed glass and specialty lighting enhances the presentation. A concealable desk was cre-ated to catch a variety of every day Items including mail, keys, laptop, etc. This desk is adjacent to the mud room entry for easy access when coming and going

The cabinetry was designed to house a variety of stainless steel appliances. The refrigerator was chosen for its dou-ble door feature and freezer on the bottom. This feature limits bending over for everyday tasks. The easy to clean electric induction cook top heats and cools quickly which adds a safety feature. Double ovens and the matching mi-crowave allow for versatility when cooking. An ultra quiet dishwasher and a wine cooler finish the cooking experi-ence. The hand rubbed stain on the floor and cabinetry was fin-ished with a highly durable water-based lacquer. This was an important choice for the low odor produced by water based finishes. The owners occupied the home during this remodel and great care was made not to put anyone at risk.

The granite top was chosen for its beauty and durability. The black pearl counter top was complimented by a blue cast iron sink. This design element gave the whimsical feature needed for this room. The blue color was incorpo-rated in the decorative pendants over the bar, the accent tile under the hood and sink, as well as in the L E D dis-plays and/or interiors of the major appliances. Eighteen recessed mini can lights fill the room with an abundance of warm light. Under cabinet lighting, hanging pendants and wall sconces provide individually adjustable light to illuminate the prep and cooking areas, the clean up areas and the eating area. This reflective color enriches the room. The dimmable feature helps to set the mood for various occasions.

The kitchen of this home was originally designed on the end of the structure. It was long and narrow and limited in its use. Now the formal dinning room, the front foyer, the living room, the deck on the rear of the home, the out-door screened in living space and the garage surrounds this space. This kitchen is now the center of the home. It is a beautiful place that was crafted to meet the home own-ers’ needs in every detail.