When the client called, she knew she wanted to make a major layout change to the kitchen of her 1952 built Mediterranean style home. The original kitchen, though nicely done, had a restricting peninsula and small center island with a prep sink. It was a design that begged for storage and was traditional and dark. The kitchen tied into a living room that was also dark, with low ceilings.
An existing pantry with pocket door was functional, but boring. We decided to eliminate it and shift the pantry opening 15”. While that seems a small shift, it allowed enough room for us to do a decorative barn door in a reclaimed wood look which turned a boring wall into a feature. The interior of the pantry remained unchanged, so it was low-cost with a big impact.
A last-minute decision to raise the ceilings in both the kitchen and the living area was a huge impact. Even though we needed to redesign the cabinetry and all drawings to accommodate the change, the result was well worth it. At the new height we could even take the ceiling a bit darker and paint it grey to accent the space.
The result of the project is just what the client asked for. Light. Bright. Open. With rich blue statement areas, and warm brass accents, the kitchen is up to date but fits this Mediterranean style 1950s home. The design is classic, yet unique. Cool and warm, old and new. It is thoughtful. It is functional. It is bold.