META 2005 Award Winner ñ Residential Kitchen $60,000 - $100,000

Award Entry Description:
This remodel in a two bedroom post-World War II bungalow created a contemporary, multi-faceted kitchen, desk and laundry area by removing interior walls and combining underutilized space.
o The original kitchen was outdated, worn and inefficient.
o The walls between the kitchen and the adjacent areas, including a water heater enclosure, presented a collection of inefficient spaces.
o The customers, a fire fighter and his wife, were anxious to keep the project within their budget, and were prepared to do some of the work themselves.
Design sessions with the customers led to a plan which created a larger kitchen without adding onto the house. By removing the non-load bearing walls adjacent to the kitchen and moving the water heater to a corner cabinet within the new area, a contiguous kitchen, desk area and laundry center was created. The centerpiece is the spacious, efficient kitchen which complements the eating area and living room, creating an airy ‘great room’ for this young family. Shortly after completion of the remodel, the family made a happy addition – a beautiful
baby girl!

Before and after of kitchen. Removal of partition walls was key to opening space and blending functional areas.

Cooking center has plentiful storage and counterspace. Adjacent desk area was designed for a small computer and printer (in opening, bottom right).

Key Design features
• The exterior door and interior walls enclosing the water heater and a closet were eliminated to create one large family work and activity space. An interior door was also eliminated. The back exterior door was retained.
• The kitchen wall cabinets on the sink-window side are 36” tall, providing a 6” space between the ceiling and cabinet tops to add visual interest and indirect up lighting.
• An efficient primary work triangle includes a 1950s 40” range with new hood, a built-in refrigerator and an apron sink, plus plentiful honed granite counter space.
• Generous storage includes roll-out shelves, corner lazy susans, drawers and a pantry.
• The desk area, with cabinets finished in a contrasting “licorice” glaze, includes a file drawer and shelf space for the printer-fax machine.
• The small microwave was placed on an open shelf to the left of the refrigerator.
• In the new kitchen area, recessed fluorescent and halogen ceiling lighting was combined with up-light over-cabinet lighting to provide several lighting effects. Zone lighting was provided for the kitchen, desk and laundry area. Switches for both zones are accessible at all area entrances.
• A peninsula with beaded panels and bun feet defines the area and greets the visitor to this visually pleasing kitchen.
• The discrete laundry area includes an auxiliary sink and a low partition to screen the machines from view.

Views from back of new kitchen. Left side has microwave on lowered shelf. Right side has small utility sink next to a large pantry.