This was a typical California ranch, with bedrooms on the first floor, to which a master bedroom addition had been appended off the kitchen some 20 years before.
While the clients came to us for a kitchen redo, it soon became obvious that a rework of the entire first floor was needed to achieve all their goals and correct some mistakes they felt were made when adding the master bedroom addition.
In addition to opening up the kitchen to the livingroom/diningroom and great room, valuable space was reclaimed from hallways that ran across the back of the kitchen and along the staircase to the eating area.
A handsome kitchen was laid out to better mesh with the clients' lifestyle, and totally transforms the space, without being intrusive. Drinks before dinner led to the inclusion of a wine refrigerator at one end of the oversized island.
Whether seated at one end, or standing at the other, the island keeps guests out of the galley style cooking area but engaged with their hosts during meal prep.
The two tiered design of the island has storage for china and crystal on the dining room side in cabinetry that floats above the floor. Lit from below and wrapped in a contrasting color quartz stone, it is a contemporary sculptural design.
The Design
Having said goodbye to the two children they raised in the house, they were now preparing for the day elderly parents come and live with them.
The master bedroom addition was accessed directly off the eat-in kitchen, or via two long inefficiently used hallways.
One priority was the need to buffer sound from early risers in the kitchen to this master bedroom.
The clients also wanted to open up the kitchen to the living/dining/great room, get more natural light, and update the kitchen so that it worked better for them, while keeping the spaces warm and inviting.
The new layout eliminated both hallways to the masterbedroom as well as the wall separating the kitchen from the great room.
The relocated entry to the master suite created an opportunity to repeat the use of glass block which was used in the original design of the home. The block fills three openings in the new full wall along the staircase that allows for privacy while allowing light to flow in from skylights over the stairs.
The former eating area of the kitchen is now a sitting area in the newly expanded master suite. The existing sliding door that was part of the eating area now allows access from the bedroom directly to the rear deck.
The hallway and two of its three closets was used to create a walk-in pantry off the kitchen. A chalkboard door on this walk-in pantry will make a perfect spot to leave messages and post lists for shopping.
A mud hallway from the garage now has direct access to an oversized coat closet that formerly was accessible only from the dining room.
Kitchen Design
The kitchen was totally transformed and packed with design details.
Thanks to the walk-in pantry, the minimal wall cabinets flanking the range hood offer enough space for everyday dishes, glasses and mugs on one side and cooking essentials on the other side.
A tall pantry next to the refrigerator provides deep storage for large platter, bowls and small appliances to keep the countertops free of clutter.
The two tiered design of the island has storage for china and crystal on the dining room side in cabinetry that floats above the floor. Lit from below and wrapped in a contrasting color quartz stone it is a contemporary sculptural in design.
The height of this area also blocks the view of a sink full of dirty dishes when sitting at the dining table. The stacked stone veneer ties the new island to the stone on the original fireplace.
With plenty of counter space on either side of the stove for cooking, the chef-worthy sink on the island is available to prepare ingredients before cooking. The oversized stainless sink came with enough accessories to make meal preparation easier for everyone.
Before Photos
The great room, with its beautiful stone fireplace, had walls and ceiling clad in tongue and groove stained cedar that was to be left intact out of respect for the home’s history.
While the wood helped to bring warmth to this big, vaulted space it absorbed much of the natural light.
This is the wall where the bookcases are being removed and a big window cut in so that they can enjoy the view, and have more natural light.
The kitchen was closed off from the livingroom/diningroom, making it an uninviting place to work.
The clients liked the tone of the cabinets, and so the new birch cabinetry utilizes a light stain is similar to the original cabinets.
In this photo you can see the existing glass block, a design element that was expanded upon in the new design.
Construction Begins!
The dated tile backsplash is all that is left of the former kitchen.
The mud hallway will be removed to create a more open plan with a walk in pantry.
New insulation specifically made for cathedral ceilings will ensure an open, but warm, kitchen.
Careful measuring and attention to the plan will ensure that plumbing for the island sink is in the right spot.
New hardwood flooring is stacked inside in advance to allow time to acclimate before installation.
Glass block inserts will bring light into the new master entry hallway from existing skylights over the adjacent staircase
The use of glass block pays homage to the original architect who used the material throughout the home when it was built over 50 years ago.
A new roof will ensure this mid century home stays safe from the elements for another 30 years.
The copper flashing will eventually patina to a warm brown.
The flat portion of the roof receives a special membrane roofing material made for this application.
With the sheetrock installed you can finally see the new kitchen take shape.
With the enlarged kitchen plan posted on the wall, cabinet installation begins.
Careful planning made installation so easy they are actually smiling.
Luan wood strips are glued up to create actual sized templates of each counter surface.
Glass tile is installed vertically at the backsplash for the stove.
Glass tile goes between the cabinets at the range hood.
Wall mount faucets always present challenges as there is no margin for error.
The use of stone means no worrying about feet kicking this wall when seated at the island.
The cabinets suspended on the rear of the island will hide a messy sink when seated at the dining table.
The addition of lighting below the cabinets emphasizes the feel of them floating above the floor.
Quartz material allowed our designers to create a raised bar that looks like it is a solid block of stone.
The use of different stone materials brings attention to the various shapes within the space.
The cork floor defines the kitchen space and provides cushioning for the cooks.
In the end, the entire wish list was addressed as well as a few items that were not on the list. The final design not only accomplishes the clients' wish for form and function but, most importantly, looks like it would have been there from the beginning, thus, respecting the home's pedigree and its creator's original vision.
An oversized square picture window sized to match the width of, and aligned directly with, the freestanding fireplace that dominates the living room, allows a spectacular view to the backyard.
Now, your eye is drawn immediately through the room and out to the deck and trees beyond.
The living room feels like it grew much more than the 8” it gained by removing the former bookcases on that wall.
Final Photos
Truly done. Final photos taken after the clients have moved back in and are enjoying their new kitchen, diningroom and livingroom.
