When a family with contemporary taste moved into a beautiful traditional home, they knew their kitchen and family room would need at least a few updates. As a home for a multi-generational family, this hub of activity needed to be easy to care for, durable and a comfortable place where inevitable spills wouldn’t be something to worry about. With that, the first consideration was to weigh if the challenges in the kitchen could be addressed with cosmetic updates or if a complete overhaul was necessary.
Before the renovation, this kitchen desk was an underutilized space that had a lot more potential useful functionality.
Could painting the cabinets and updating the island do enough for this kitchen? Stepping back to see the functional shortcomings as well as the cosmetic ones, this approach would only solve some of the issues. And, would the investment into the cosmetic updates really just be a temporary bandaid until the functional issues could be addressed as well? In weighing the options, the costs of making updates twice, and the present needs of the family, a complete renovation became the clear path forward.
The flooring, before.
Taking a look at the functionality of the space, a larger island for both prep work and a breakfast bar was on the top of the list. Turning the island allowed for not only more counter space, but also a better overall flow. Plus, we were able to take a formerly unused nook under the windows and turn it into a custom window seat to add more seating at the kitchen table. Our client also reports that the first few spills have been easily wiped up without leaving behind any stains - a win for performance fabrics!
Window seat before and window seat during construction. See how it turned into a great spot for casual meals below.
With a brand new kitchen, we were also able to see that the client’s contemporary tastes blended seamlessly with the traditional architecture by weaving together different design elements. For instance, the countertops are very sleek. Yet, in a matte finish, they also appeal to the traditional side. The hand-cut stacked Zellige tile brings a strong element of artisanship that juxtaposes the classic and streamlined pendent lights. Meanwhile the cabinet design offers a traditional anchor.
Window seat before and window seat during construction. See how it turned into a great spot for casual meals below.
Bringing together the final details of this kitchen and family room to meet the needs of everyone from grandparents to grandkids with beautiful, yet durable touches resulted in such a special space. Take a tour with the images below.
