Room Rx: Kitchen on a budget

A call from a husband who wanted to surprise his wife last Christmas with a gift certificate for a kitchen consult was the start of this kitchen project. His wife had been dreaming of a kitchen remodel forever and he was slow to get on the bandwagon. Needless to say the gift was an unexpected treat. When I first met with her, my client had done her homework (thanks in part to the pile of kitchen magazines included in her husband's gift) and knew that after living in a dark and dated kitchen she wanted white and bright.

Since the budget was tight, the appliances would stay in the same places and the footprint would essentially remain essentially unchanged. Getting rid of the soffit and adding more storage were the non-negotiables.

My first job was to create a cabinet layout and elevations with these elements as well as the budget in mind. A few tweaks later and the job was in the hands of Melvin from M & M Custom Cabinets, a talented and cost effective team of local Amish woodworkers.
 Since the client was drawn to blue and white, I presented this design concept board to her once we got down to the details and finishes.

Suffice it to say, as with most design collaborations, the project evolved and the end result is a bit different than the board above conveys. What's most important is that my client is delighted with the final product, a budget friendly kitchen which is light and bright, classic and current.

 
 
No more bulky soffits...

A new pantry/command center...

After the cabinet production was underway and the demo in progress, we ran into a roadblock. One large section of the soffit contained major HVAC and hood venting that were out of the budget to move. An emergency pow wow with the contractor, cabinetmaker and designer (me!) and we changed the design of the upper cabinets from an "L" shape spanning the corner to this pantry style cabinet sitting on the counter. I think it works seamlessly and minimizes the appearance of the bulky soffit.

 Even the refrigerator side cabinet got modified...

 Details such as glass fronted cabinets, crown moulding and finished end panels were added.

What pleases me most about this project is that even though the kitchen's layout remained largely unchanged, we were able to increase the functionality and storage, unify the work space and breakfast area and give the whole space a fresh new look, on a budget!

Oh, and did I mention that from the start of construction to the finish, the project took only one month to complete? Even with the soffit roadblock! That is what happens when you know what you want and are prepared, just as my client was and just as I discussed here.

This kitchen is truly the heart of the home and I know my clients will enjoy it for years to come. 

 

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.