Glamorous with Green - Batavia, IL
Design objectives for the remodel were aimed at maximizing the flow and functionality of a foodie-level kitchen with multiple cooks, while enhancing the family’s preferences for spending time in the space together:
Create a better workflow
Space out the appliances for better use of the kitchen area
Make the space feel larger visually
Update all materials so the kitchen isn’t all wood
No seating at an island or peninsula
Larger walkways
Brighten up the space with more lights and lighter colors
THE REMODEL
Design challenges to be solved:
The idea was to work within the current walls of the kitchen. Without removing walls, it was more of a challenge to give the kitchen a larger, new feel.
An island in the middle area was part of the original vision. Could a different countertop arrangement incorporate the same purpose?
The homeowners are big cooks so creating room for a larger refrigerator and more countertop space by the range were musts!
The sink and range were originally right next to each other, making things tough for two cooks to work at the same time. How could the new space allow for two work areas while minimizing traffic jams?
THE RENEWED SPACE
Design solutions fell into place once the overall layout was revamped to improve flow and functionality:
The refrigerator was originally in the middle of the main walkway. To gain more walk space and room for a larger refrigerator, we moved this appliance to the back wall.
The final design still has a peninsula but we flipped it to the opposite wall. This way, the walkway is more accommodating for traffic entering and exiting through the back garage door. This also gave way to a longer run of countertop space along the cooking wall.
To take cooking to another level, we implemented a speed oven!
The large window by the eating area is also nice for cooks to see, so we kept the sink in the peninsula.
To gain space for storage and make the kitchen feel larger, we brought the wall cabinets all the way to the ceiling. What once felt tight now feels grand!