Kitchen Clean Up

We mentioned that some projects are best suited for restraint in "Let's Not Screw This Up, Shall We?", and this kitchen is a good example of minor construction with outsized results. Our goal was to convert the former owner's ornate style into the kitchen our client wanted without starting over from scratch.

The good news was that it was a candidate for fine-tuning rather than a complete overhaul because it already had good quality appliances and cabinetry in place.

The bad news is that the outdated kitchen was defined by an Italianate theme. Heavy-handed design and overt symbolism is the hallmark of these kinds of rooms in which nothing subtle survives. It's one thing when a child is delighted by a superhero-themed bedroom. Hulk it up or go wild with Wonder Woman if you wish. But it's an entirely different thing elsewhere in a home.

In this case, our clients were ready to take Tuscany out of their kitchen. One of the most jarring features was the pumpkin-cinnamon colored texture on the walls. We are not advocates of faux-texturing, and the color did not fit the new plan. In addition, the kitchen included several different surface textures, multiple metals both modern and antique, distinctly green granite on the perimeter, and rustic light fixtures.

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It was time to say addio to the Italian kitchen, including the pastoral backsplash over the cooktop. 

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Here we can see the original kitchen in all of its Tuscan glory: green speckled granite countertops, beige stone backsplash, antique knobs, creamy yellow cabinets, and the old sink faucet next to the window. The color of the textured walls cast the kitchen in an unflattering light.

We removed the pastoral backsplash, cabinet hardware, and countertops. The china cabinet found a new home, and the walls were skim-coated smooth for paint. Cream colored cabinets were targeted for new paint. What to do about the heavily textured mustard-colored range hood?

We clad the hood in wood with a custom stain to match the new shelving near the window. A view of the hood surrounded by new hardware, sink faucet, freshly painted cabinets and walls, Calacatta backsplash, and new countertops. 

A view of the refinished island top, new light fixtures, and the shelving unit next to the bay window.

A good spot to enjoy a cup of coffee.

We'll be the first to admit that working with a clean slate is a liberating opportunity. Still, there are good reasons not to get carried away. The typical demolition/rebuild approach can lead to some missed opportunities, unwise expenses, and extended timelines. Demolition is a function of design, and some projects need more scalpel than sledgehammer. We like to think we know the difference.  

Something about the the relaxed style of this kitchen feels right to us, and more importantly, to our client. It's a lived-in expression of our clients' preferences. No change was made to the footprint or appliances. No forced theme and no breathtaking budget. As both a working kitchen and an inviting space to gather friends, we're excited for our clients to create many great memories in their new home.

Master Bath, Before and After

After our three-part series in May, June, and July, you might be fatigued from reading about bathrooms. It might remind you of the time you were cornered by a co-worker at the office party who was droning on about his favorite fly-fishing spots, lures, and waders. You don't have to politely nod along with us and pray for a power outage. It's ok to check back next month. We understand. 

At the risk of boring our readers with oh-another-bathroom-yawn-did-you-see-the-Bears-have-a-new-quarterback, we think the updated classic style of this bathroom turned out well. Although this bathroom presented a couple challenges, it led to one of our favorite results.

We started with an irregular layout and somewhat smaller than average footprint in which to hold a shower, separate tub, double-bowl vanity, and toilet. Two of the four walls were exterior walls, and there was no attractive opportunity to expand into the master bedroom. Second, the shower was raised due to the stairwell beneath it. A recessed medicine cabinet opposite the plumbing wall created a barrier between the vanity and shower; this was an instance where nine inches made an outsized difference. Removing this wall was the key to improving the feel and function of the shower. 

As a side note, if you or anybody else makes reference to your "prison shower", it's probably time to consider an upgrade. That's no way to start your morning.

In addition to opening the shower, we installed an eye-catching tile on one wall and improved the lighting. Below is a closer look.

Asian Carrara tile with Cadet Blue geometric pattern. Nickel Silver Raindome by Laura Kirar for Kallista.

The existing country-style vanity, mirror, fixtures, and 4x4 ceramic floor tile were replaced with new cabinetry, pendant lights, medicine cabinets, plumbing, and tile.   

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The old tub was rarely used and created a dead zone next to the vanity.

The old tub with an unusable cavern at one end, covered by an unusable vanity top. Wasted space in this footprint was a big drawback.     

The new tub and functional cabinetry. The country curtains were replaced with light-softening semi-opaque shades.  

Custom skirt for tub deck, color matched to the vanity and wainscot on opposite wall, and a quartz deck surround. 

We don't think there's anything ho-hum about this bathroom. The composition of materials and color in this compact bathroom sits well with us, and we're delighted to know that our client enjoys the bath regularly. 

Of course there are challenges, and we owe a great debt to a trusting client who let us solve them with an eye towards enhancing the form and function. Around the time we dismantled the original bathroom, we walked past a mural that reminded us of what is possible.

A reminder when you encounter the small and irregular, among others.

The Great Outdoors

We spend plenty of time inside homes, so it's always a refreshing change of pace to enjoy some build-time outside. Creating a 17' x 15' custom deck for a former West-coast family makes the Summer work days even better.

The backyard had one mature maple tree located 14 feet from back door, and the plans called for us to build the deck around it.  The rear of the house had a number of old windows that we needed to replace. The back of the house received a face-lift with new windows, exterior lights, doors, and stucco to match the other three sides of the structure. 

In order to access the deck from the kitchen, we removed a bank of windows and installed a sliding door.

The clients wanted room for  outdoor dining, leading to a deck that extended beyond the maple tree. Our carpenter carefully scribed the cedar planks to the shape of the tree trunk (nicely done, sir!). Just beyond the tree is the 12 foot bench facing the house with built-in LED lights below. 

A view of the rear of the house and a second bench, this one facing the backyard. The large canopy of the maple tree provides ample shade.

A view of the finished deck with all new MARVIN windows, planter box, pendant lighting, and door. The transformer for the deck lighting is hidden inside the planter box.

The scale of this project almost qualifies as a mini-addition to the house, and we like the way it's connected to the paved patio and green space. It was a fun project, and we expect it will see plenty of use. We hope this family enjoys many good times with new friends on their new deck!  

A Laundry Room, Elevated

Readers of this blog might remember that we are fans of second floor laundry whenever possible. It's a high-value improvement we can make in older homes, especially compared to basement laundry machines (next to the box of stuff you didn't sort out since two moves ago, your mother-in-law's upholstered chair, and the mechanicals of the home).

If the thought of carrying multiple loads of laundry up several flights of stairs no longer excites you, read on.

Our client's home had a walk-in storage closet between two bedrooms, perfectly suited for a new laundry room. The basement laundry machines were approaching the end of their lives. Drudgery was winning.

Below are pictures of the recently completed 2nd floor laundry.  

Goodbye to a single-purpose storage room, and hello to a multi-function laundry room. Cabinetry for storage on the left, with stackable full-size laundry machines and sink on the right.

I wish we had thought of this, but credit goes to the client for the beverage refrigerator and coffee maker. That is brilliant work in the anti-drudgery department. 

Eliminating the closet doesn't mean the need for storage disappears. Full extension pull-outs add useful capacity in the tall cabinet.

A deep utility sink and drying rack next to the laundry machines. 

No longer a closed storage room, it was time to reclaim the natural light with a new 10-lite glass door.

It's rewarding to convert some routine task into an entirely better experience for a client. Changing the space is one way to upend the ordinary. We're very happy to help this client transform a former closet into one of her favorite rooms.