Design decisions
1 of 4Before
The old kitchen was dark and cramped, and lacked personality.
2 of 4Stained glass
Stained glass panels that mimic the shape and
color of the backsplash tile were set into the wall of the
dining room to allow light from the hallway and entryway
area to filter in.
3 of 4Hidden storage
A sliding panel above the fireplace allows the homeowners
to use otherwise wasted space alongside the chimney for storage.
4 of 4Nerve center
The “nerve center” is a feature Maughan
includes in nearly every kitchen she designs.
The space serves as office, computer center,
mail-sorting area and cell phone charging station.
The desk
surface
swings up
to become
a door for
hiding the
mess when
needed.
Since the
unit is
recessed
into the pantry wall,
it doesn’t intrude
on space needed for
cabinets or appliances.
Sometimes there’s just one big impetus behind a kitchen remodel: A growing family can no longer sit around the table, or a two-oven family is stuck with a one-oven kitchen, or the kitchen is just too ugly. But
sometimes there are a lot of little factors that add up to the call for action—as in this Oregon kitchen.
The owners wanted a kitchen that matched their colorful, eclectic tastes, not the tastes of the previous occupants. They wanted to open up the kitchen to the rest
of the house, and the rest of the house to the great outdoors. And they wanted to have a little fun with it all.
Their kitchen designer, Kathie Maughan, found a way to give them everything they wanted. No space was added; the kitchen was simply opened up and reconfigured. She removed the wall that separated the
kitchen from the formal dining room, and then designed matching cabinetry to flow through both spaces to help blend them together. This new space became an informal
sitting area. The existing informal family room/eating space was spruced up to become a more sophisticated formal dining room.
Though two windows were sacrificed to create room for a walk-in pantry, two French doors were added—one in the living room, the other in the dining room—to make up for lost light. The new
French doors also created an easier indoor-outdoor traffic flow for outside entertaining and dining. And the family
surely didn’t back away from adding color!
Tile, anyone?
1 of 2Tile layout
Each section of tile was laid out
on a full-scale template before being installed.
2 of 2Finished look
The tile was installed following the rough layout, then grouted with a neutral, light gray grout.
The homeowners wanted a colorful, vibrant backsplash. The finished product features 24 different types of tile
in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ceramic, glass,
natural stone and even some metal tiles were used. “All said and done, there were sixty different selections for the tile setter to track,” explains Maughan.
Good things come in twos
1 of 2Before
The original kitchen was too small and poorly designed for a two-cook family.
2 of 2After
The new design expanded the space dramatically, providing room for extra appliances and lots of countertop work area.
As part of the design process, Maughan interviews her clients using an extensive questionnaire to better determine their kitchen and living habits. When the ink had dried, it became apparent that the standard lineup of
single appliances simply wouldn’t do.
Since the homeowners frequently entertained and cooked elaborate meals, Maughan incorporated two dishwashers to the right of the main sink. The duo of dishwashers allowed them to clean up without having to wash the extras by hand. She also included two
refrigerators—a full-scale primary refrigerator plus a small second undercounter beverage refrigerator out of
the traffic flow for teens and friends to grab beverages. There’s also a full-size, freestanding freezer. The two sinks—one double bowl plus a prep sink—give
two chefs plenty of elbow room. And the two ovens provide plenty of firepower for large gatherings.
Kitchen conveniences
1 of 6Corner space
The corner counter space behind the sink was put to good
use with this customized butcherblock top. The knife
storage area is enclosed below the countertop to
prevent accidents. A utensil storage bin was recessed
into the butcher block and can hold either pot scrubbers
or often-used cooking utensils.
2 of 6Spice rack
Easy-to-use storage was created by narrowing the shelves inside the cabinet by a few inches, then mounting an adjustable spice rack on the back of the cabinet door closest to the cooktop, right where a chef would want it.
3 of 6Hidden TV
A swing-down flat panel TV is easily “taken out” and "put away" as needed, and stays
up and out of the way of spills.
4 of 6Custom pot filler
The pot filler faucet above the stove saves mess
and steps and allows the filling of large pots that wouldn't
otherwise fit under a conventional sink faucet.
5 of 6Vertical storage
Storage for trays and cookie sheets was tucked into the sliver of space created by the corner sink and cabinet.
6 of 6Hidden outlets
Electrical outlet strips mounted on the underside of
the upper cabinets provide plenty of plug-ins for small
appliances. A valance along the front edge of the cabinet helps conceal them.
Intelligent details, imaginative design and space-expanding conveniences make the kitchen easy to use and easy to clean up. Space that would ordinarily go to waste was given a purpose and put to work.
