Builder's own kitchen. We live in a 1950's home that had the original oak kitchen cabinets and Formica counters. The kitchen was serviceable, but outdated and with no amenities.  Adding to the discomfort was a small dining room that was too tight for dining room occasions (holidays and celebrations). What we wanted was an up to date, yet traditional kitchen with a large center island for the family to gather and a separate seating area for casual dinners.

We had a screened in porch that extended the width of the house, adjacent to both the kitchen and the small dining room.  By taking over the side porch and incorporating it into the kitchen remodel, we were able to add 300 sq feet to the kitchen and dining room, allowing for a large oval island and a dining room that easily seats twelve. A new porch was built overlooking the backyard.

A small, cantilevered space in the front of the house allowed for breakfast seating; and with all the additional space, we added a powder room, an amenity this house had been missing.  The coffered ceiling and beam detailing mimics the oval of the island below.  This detailing makes the ceilings seem taller that the standard eight feet.  You can see our ceiling, featured in Custom Builder Magazine, March 2009.

We designed custom kitchen cabinets from solid maple and painted them butter yellow with a matte lacquer finish. New marble counters, low voltage recessed lighting and the existing oak floors, stained a chocolate brown, finish off the space.

The client couldn't be happier.

(click on thumbnails to enlarge)