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Kitchen of the Week: Sarah's Vintage-Inspired Work of Love
Houzz user Sarah Kravits designs a soothing kitchen inspired by history and built by loved ones
Any kind of renovation or remodel is a challenge. Designing, budgeting and executing everything can be exhausting on its own, as is trying to live in your home when its under construction. For Sarah Kravits, this stress was compounded when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the middle of her renovation. "Frankly, the renovation provided a wonderful distraction to both of us," says Kravits, who lives in Northern New Jersey. Kravits recruited the help of family and friends to complete her dream kitchen. Her husband acted as a general contractor, and the builder, plumber, electrician, and painter were all friends, too. "They were all terrific, and very respectful of what I was going through," she says.
After several months, the renovation was complete, and Kravits's kitchen was everything she wanted it to be. "I couldn't even tell you what I love the most in this kitchen," she says. Inspired by the history of her home and her family, this kitchen is meaningful to her and her family for many reasons, and is a true work of love.
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After several months, the renovation was complete, and Kravits's kitchen was everything she wanted it to be. "I couldn't even tell you what I love the most in this kitchen," she says. Inspired by the history of her home and her family, this kitchen is meaningful to her and her family for many reasons, and is a true work of love.
Browse more kitchen photos
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For Kravits, the biggest priority was maximizing space. Before the remodel, the kitchen had only two cabinets, two drawers, a space under the sink for storage.
The room was also poorly organized, so Kravits enlisted the help of a friend and architect to redesign the kitchen.
By emphasizing wide spaces between the sink and stove, and island and wall unit, the kitchen was easy to move around in and felt much less cramped.
Cabinetry: Custom maple, painted Benjamin Moore Misted Fern
Pulls: Satin Nickel by Merit
Knobs: Satin Nickel from Colonial
Fridge: Samsung, French door
The room was also poorly organized, so Kravits enlisted the help of a friend and architect to redesign the kitchen.
By emphasizing wide spaces between the sink and stove, and island and wall unit, the kitchen was easy to move around in and felt much less cramped.
Cabinetry: Custom maple, painted Benjamin Moore Misted Fern
Pulls: Satin Nickel by Merit
Knobs: Satin Nickel from Colonial
Fridge: Samsung, French door
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| Kravits drew inspiration for her kitchen from her two grandmothers, who spent much of their time in their kitchens. "I grew up a short drive away from one of them, and being her only granddaughter, I was in her kitchen under her tutelage all the time," says Kravits. "Over the past several years, as I thought about what I wanted my kitchen to look like, I envisioned a place where all the things in her kitchen would look right at home." In fact, the kitchen table just past the bar is a vintage piece from the 1930s from her mother's childhood home. Countertop: Soapstone Range: 30" Thermador Sink: Apron front stainless steel Faucet: Rohl Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting Barstools: Crate & Barrel Kitchen chairs: Crate & Barrel |
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Kravits was also inspired by the structure of her house itself. Her home was built in the mid-1920s, and creating a kitchen that would feel natural and recall the pre-WWII era was important to her.
She worked with her architect to take design cues from the home's original molding, flooring and trim. Even old colors of paint revealed by stripping trim and doors was considered in the kitchen design.
She worked with her architect to take design cues from the home's original molding, flooring and trim. Even old colors of paint revealed by stripping trim and doors was considered in the kitchen design.
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Kravits added a simple shelving unit behind their basement door. Underneath, she added a slot for extra grocery bags.
The idea came to her when she and her husband were trying to figure out what to do with an awkward area right before the basement stairs. In the process of pulling the beadboard off, they noticed several inches of space between the board and the wall, which didn't go all the way down to the floor.
"I was looking for a place to put all of our paper bags, and the idea of a paper bag slot just came to me," she says.
More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens
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The idea came to her when she and her husband were trying to figure out what to do with an awkward area right before the basement stairs. In the process of pulling the beadboard off, they noticed several inches of space between the board and the wall, which didn't go all the way down to the floor.
"I was looking for a place to put all of our paper bags, and the idea of a paper bag slot just came to me," she says.
More: 23 Inspiring Real-Life Kitchens
More kitchen guides
Browse 30,000+ kitchen photos
Comments
Mary Sampson Sarah and Garth, I just opened up my houzz email with the new ideabooks. It made my day to see your amazing kitchen!!! It is amazing. -Mary
20 months ago · Like
bridgeto An inspiring re-model! I hope you are enjoying it and are in good health. Bridget
20 months ago · Like
axlee Congrats on a great kitchen. Your kitchen still has the "feel" of a kitchen -- the feel that a kitchen should have, but that so many now don't have. There is nothing sterile about it. It looks like it gets used and is the heart of the home. I love the shelves by the basement stairs and the paper bag slot -- these are the kinds of things that make a house a home -- they show the footprint of the people who live threre.
20 months ago · Like
dgolden1012 I love everything about this kitchen!!
19 months ago · Like
melznp I love this! What is the color of your cabinets?
18 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Oct. 14, 2011.
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