Kitchen-Addition Gallery
A KITCHEN ADDITION BUILT FOR EMPTY-NESTERS WAS TRANSFORMED TO FIT THEIR CHANGING LIFESTYLE OF ENTERTAINING
This traditional 2-story was built in 1987 for the Owners and their two children. During those past 17-years this standard kitchen layout served its purpose. Now that their children graduated from college the Owner’s shift in lifestyle and thinking, as to what role the kitchen and adjacent rooms would play in their home, they decided to open-up the existing layout for the view to their back yard and create the ultimate gourmet kitchen because they loved entertaining.
To start the remodeling process, the Owners created a list of appliances and basic layout of what they wanted to incorporate into the project. The list included a 48” side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, 48” commercial grade 6-burner range, convection oven, micro-wave oven, warming drawer, dishwasher, an air-activated garbage disposal and trash compactor. To complete the list the new wet bar area would include a icemaker and a dual zone beverage center which had the ability to chill wine bottles and other beverages. The layout was to also include a butler’s working pantry area, a built-in serving buffet, a reconfiguration of the mud-room, and, a full basement on the addition which would allow for the future expansion of a wine cellar and 3-fixture bathroom.
With a basic layout and appliance list the design began to take shape. The existing kitchen’s trey ceiling was replaced with a cathedral ceiling to add volume while the addition incorporated a wall of windows, with trapezoids above, to bring in the view of the backyard and let the early morning light provide a subtle warmth.
The commercial range was positioned in the layout as the main focal point adorned with a decorative, but functional, mantle over head with a concealed stainless steel commercial venting system, flanked by spice racks on either side and ceramic backsplash with accent tiles. The oversized island, immediately in front of the commercial range, housed the warming drawer, built-in cookbook shelving, cabinets to store glassware on either side of the island and an inset to accommodate three stools. The complimentary color of Maple Café’ Licorice glazing for the mantle and island cabinets, to that of the main cabinetry Maple Praline Mocha glazing, maintains the focal point of the room while utilizing the same Madura Gold granite for all countertops. The cabinet design elements included staggered heights, crown moldings throughout, a sink base with spindled posts, post cabinets on each side of the commercial range, and spindled posts on either side of the full size refrigerator freezer.
With the basics of natural lighting in place our attention turned to the main lighting to set the after-hours mood for entertaining. To accomplish our goal we designed a grid of recessed lights in the cathedral ceiling and dinette area, provided halogen lighting over the commercial range, recessed lighting under the cabinets to light the countertops and installed miniature recessed lights in the glass front cabinets. Not to detract from the main focal point of the commercial range and mantle piece three tea light fixtures were positioned directly over the island.
The project was started on August 18, 2006 and fully functional for the Owners annual Thanksgiving 06 family dinner. Since that time they have hosted a Christmas holiday buffet for family and friends and a retirement party for over 100 people.