This is an owner-designed, architect-engineered remodel of a 50-year-old kitchen. Walls and built-in furniture were removed and a window was added, giving the kitchen a much more spacious look. Aside from modernization, the primary design goal was to “bring the outside in”, using natural elements and local materials. The house is situated on a river in the Northwest. A dark granite sink, granite counters, a stone backsplash, wood floors and cabinets, and reclaimed “stickers” from a local saw mill were incorporated.
The existing kitchen was not effectively laid out, having the (added) dishwasher exactly next to the sink and in a corner. The refrigerator was in it’s own corner, with no flat surfaces nearby to place items. Altho the east side faced the river, the only window faced north, with a view into the yard. Cabinet space was sufficient, but not flexible or convenient to use. Furthermore, the layout included a long dark entryway/hall parallel to the kitchen that had a small desk area. A pass-thru built-in hutch separated the kitchen from the dining room.
Our design addressed all these issues.
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View from office area/hall across penisula. The beam indicates where an existing wall was removed. The window over the sink was added, and the window to the left of that was replaced.
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On one side of the penisula the base cabinets were left natural (maple), and tie in with the butcher block counter over the dishwasher. The remaining counters are granite.
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A carved black granite apron-front sink was installed on top of a low double-door cabinet. The goal was to suggest a woodland pool. A river rock backsplash and granite sculpture of a dipper add to the nature theme. Note the use of reclaimed doug fir slats to face the lower cabinet doors.
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View from hall toward back door showing office area and cabinets on left, counter-level seating on right.
