The original cabinets supporting the sink in this 1932 built kitchen were caving in! The owners had no choice; it was time to update, but there were design restrictions. First, due to a false start with another designer, they had already purchased the granite slab. Second, they wanted to keep the existing dark terracotta tiled floor with 4”x4” Spanish deco tile accents and gray grout. They also wanted stainless steel appliances except for the stove; a 1950’s vintage beauty. Plus, the budget was only $25,000!

The Challenge: She wants vintage, he wants contemporary, and they both want to keep the Spanish style floor. I need to create a budget friendly design that will make them both happy!

The Design Decisions: In order to meet budget and keep the floor, I decided to work with the existing layout. The existing upper cabinets were refurbished and the lowers had to be custom made because they are only 22” deep (standard is 24”). Standard depth lowers were ruled out because there would be no space left wide enough for the dishwasher. The cabinets were painted a warm gray to tie in colors from the granite I had to work with and floor grout.

The farmhouse sink was selected as the best solution for the 22” cabinet depth as it can be pulled out enough from the wall to leave a platform in the granite for the faucet and

also creates a tie to other traditional elements in the room. Because the stove (next page) is white and polished chrome, I selected polished chrome for the traditional style gooseneck faucet. Cabinet knobs in polished chrome with white buttons were also selected to coordinate with the stove. An ogee edge on the granite lends a traditional style to the contemporary material.

The backsplash consists of white subway with 4”x4” white tiles set on point and accented with Spanish deco tiles to tie in the floor and to add a good pop of color. The wall paint color is “Silver White” and offers a nice transition between the gray cabinets and white backsplash/sink/stove.

Budget considerations would not allow for replacing the 2 louvered windows with one large garden window. So, the window treatments were updated to a more contemporary look with solar shades in a silver/white/soft green weave, but tied into a more traditional look when a cornice box, created to match the crown molding of the cabinets, was added.

A smaller stainless microwave and coffee machine were incorporated to offer a little more counter space in a crowded corner, and the eye washes smoothly over the stainless dishwasher set in the gray cabinetry.

Continued next page…

BEFORE

AFTER

Cottage Kitchen Redesign

Getting all the functionality the owners wanted in this corner was a challenge. It is a 40” stove on a 58” wall. The perpendicular wall (66”) would have afforded more space for surrounding cabinetry and counter space but would have required moving gas lines, electricity, and vent pipes; all of which was prohibited by budget. Also, there was no lighting in this corner and the owners often found themselves cooking in the dark.

The only venting was a hole in the ceiling which often shed balls of greasy dust onto the cooktop. This space was vintage through and through and needed some contemporary elements to make the husband happy.

The stove was centered between 8” cabinets. To maximize functionality of the narrow cabinets, I decidedto forego drawers in favor of using their full height for storage of trays, platters, baking sheetsand racks. Frequently used utensils are placed in a red vintage crock pot, and the pot rack (sans farmyard animals) remained for accessibility to everything needed for cooking in this corner.

The stainless and glass Miele range hood adds the contemporary element needed. The glass insert makes it lighter and airier than if it were solid stainless and the arch in the design of the hood works well with the curved corners and gently curved handles of the stove. The bottom of the hood was purposely set at the highest possible recommended height from the cooktop because the tall owner didn’t want to constantly hit his head on it. However, we are still searching for just the right wall decoration to fill In the large gap and to bring a little more color into the space. But, the best thing about this hood? It has four halogen lamps that brilliantly and evenly illuminate the cooktop so the owners are no longer cooking in the dark!

Given the profile of the stove, a backsplash was not essential. However I included it for two reasons 1) tounify this corner with the rest of the kitchen, and 2)to provide flexibility of choice in case the owners ever decide to replace the stove. Finally, nothing says “Vintage” these days like an old, analog electric wall clock! I liked this one from theoriginal kitchen, but I did have a recessed outlet put into the wall behind it so it doesn’t stick out with visible cords anymore.

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AFTER

BEFORE

Cottage Kitchen, the cooking corner

Here, the owners wanted a larger, French-door fridge (in stainless of course).They also were bothered that the cabinet above the fridge was not centered in the space.

Two more requests were made; 1)electrical outlets for appliances along the cabinet wall, and 2)better illumination of the counter top for food preparation.

AFTER

BEFORE

The French door fridge they thought they wanted would not be fully functional in the space because the left door would open Into the adjacent wall. After consultation, they decided they would prefer a full 180 degree swing. This fridge, which opens on the left, was selected for full swing and still gives them the bottom pull out freezer they were looking for. So, the niche space was enlarged to accommodate the larger fridge and a custom cabinet was installed and centered above.

Look ma, no electrical outlets on the backsplash! The underside of the upper cabinets were put to full use with 1) a strip of electrical outlets and, 2) a strip of LEDs to provide task lighting (don’t worry, all work was done by an electrician and proper circuits were added)

Finally, the oil rubbed bronze lantern style light fixture was selected with the same finish as the existing pot rack and sconce above the sink. It also adds a nice rustic touch that works nicely with the Spanish style floors and deco tiles. (The white dog also coordinates well here )

Continued on Next Page

The Cottage Kitchen Saga Continues

In order to make the room feel more spacious, the dutch door leading to the laundry room was removed. A new door to the back yard was installed (the doggie door was big enough for a large mountain lion to get through!) and the laundry room walls and trim were painted the same as the kitchen.

Et, Voila!

Bath Decorating Project Next Page

And, finally……..

The owners really want to be able to entertain a couple of guests while they are preparing meals. Since there was not enough floor space to comfortably fit a table or island, I placed 2 1950’s vintage bar stools in the space. These stools can be easily moved and serve as a good perch for friends.

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

This master bath has nice bones; an original tub with architectural lines, beautiful vintage tile, and lots of space. However, it is located directly across the hall from the home’s kitchen. The problem? Who wants a direct shot of a toilet from the place where you are preparing food? I had a mere $1000 to solve this problem and decorate in a way that would tone down the pink cast in the tiles and provide the owners with a sophisticated retreat.

First, I found a cabinet in the owner’s garage that blocked the view of the toilet and, as a bonus, provides some nice additional storage. Next, I decided to paint the walls a warm taupe color that served to neutralize the slight pinkish tones in the tile. White paint for the window trim was chosen to provide a crisp contrast. For window treatments, I selected roller shades in a soft taupe/cream jacquard print and topped them with a white cornice box that has similar lines as the tub. The “Hollywood” vanity lights were replaced with an elegant 3-light crystal sconce in polished chrome to coordinate with the existing plumbing fixtures.

For accessorizing, I took my cue from the tile design and selected black as the primary color for sophistication and popped it with cyan accents. I purchased a large painting containing all the colors in the room from art.com and I simply couldn’t resist the big fish planter in cyan to add a little fun and whimsy.

Full Bath Remodel Project Next Page:

Bath Redecorating Project

AFTERBEFOREThis bathroom was cramped; there was nocounter or storage space, and there was a smallshower stall (32”x32”) immediately to the rightas one entered the door. The window actually opened into another room!

Obviously, this room needed a makeover, but Iwas scratching my head when the owners said they wanted a full bath with a double sink vanity!They also wanted a calm, spa-like space that wouldIntegrate some of the 1930’s vintage style foundelsewhere in the home.

Mission accomplished! Room for the double vanitywas made by taking out the shower stall walls.I put the tub/shower across the back wall. I took outthe window and a solatube skylight was installed towash the room in natural light during the day.

The toilet was moved to the previous window wall,And a pony wall was constructed to block direct viewfrom the doorway.

A monochromatic color scheme of celadon green, white, and gray was employed to create a soothing , clean, and elegant space. The white octagonfloor tiles were grouted in DeLorean gray, rather than white, to accent the architectural lines of the tile. The field tiles for the tub surround are whitesubways with a clean and simple ¼” inch pencil line accent all the way around. The pencil tile is Celedon, as is the color on the walls, in the storageniche located on the back wall of the shower (reflected in the mirror), and as accent dots on the floor.

Traditionally styled plumbing and light fixtures compliment the traditional tile scheme. The traditional vanity was selected for it’s simple styling. Boththe vanity and pony wall were topped with Carrera marble to add the final touch of traditional luxury.

A Full Bath Remodel