Kitchen Central
When the walls and the hall disappear, a kitchen spreads its wings.
Project details & links to other projects follow images.
Before - Non-Structural Wall Confines Kitchen Space
After - Room for Island after Wall Removed
Before - Dining Wall & Hall Enclosure
After - Range in Island. More Storage, More Seating, More Counter
Before - Work Area Limited, Awkward Circulation
After - Wine Storage & Wine Fridge, Shelving
Before - Non-Structural Walls Crunch Kitchen
After - Open to Dining & Living Traffic Flow
After - Island Design
Kitchen Central
People start the day with coffee and laptops, slide into a happy hour with friends, & share dinner prep in the kitchen. Today’s designers typically open the kitchen up to a larger living space with these activities in mind.
Not so 40 years ago - when the original floor plan of this Marin County home formalized the dining and living rooms at the expense of the kitchen functionality. By removing non-structural walls, a larger space was created for multiple cooks, appliance convenience, counter seating, and easy circulation. Walls were retained to display family photos, and indulge the owner’s coffee and wine passions.
Economy solutions were paramount in this project.
Project Profile
Remove non-structural wall between the existing kitchen range and the hallway. Remove existing walls between the kitchen & dining room.
Install new range, retracting fan, & microwave in a new island with counter seating.
Replace existing cabinetry & lighting. Reuse existing fridge, dishwasher, sink. New stone countertops.
Add coffee bar, wine racks and under-counter wine fridge against the newly incorporated hallway wall. (Upper cabs optional - cost-trimming open shelving chosen as for memento display wall over desk.)
Patch walls, ceilings, and existing hardwood flooring. Paint.
Merge updates with existing vintage furnishings and strong color preferences.