Comments
Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen
|
Sponsored Content
Pro Spotlight: 3 Ingredients of a Delectable Kitchen
A San Diego-area designer shares what you need to consider for an optimal cooking space
Sponsored Content
Who: Ryan Christenson of Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen
Where: Poway, California
In his own words: “All the entertainment revolves around the kitchen in most homes, even if that’s not the intention.”
Many people dream of a sparkling new kitchen that’s ideal for entertaining family and friends. Gone are the days where it was an isolated back room: “It’s common for guests to naturally gravitate toward the kitchen, where the host is prepping the meal,” says Ryan Christenson, a designer at Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen in Poway. “The host feels isolated if the room is closed off from the rest of the party.”
Where: Poway, California
In his own words: “All the entertainment revolves around the kitchen in most homes, even if that’s not the intention.”
Many people dream of a sparkling new kitchen that’s ideal for entertaining family and friends. Gone are the days where it was an isolated back room: “It’s common for guests to naturally gravitate toward the kitchen, where the host is prepping the meal,” says Ryan Christenson, a designer at Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen in Poway. “The host feels isolated if the room is closed off from the rest of the party.”
A family trait. Christenson followed in the footsteps of his father, Joe Christenson — the company’s owner and president. “My father started the business when I was 8 years old, and I was always intrigued by the work,” Ryan Christenson says. The company helps clients transform antiquated, choppy floor plans into updated, open spaces.
Christenson grew up helping with odds and ends at Remodel Works, such as doing warehouse inventory. “I started working for the family business soon after college graduation,” he says. “Initially it was a temporary opportunity, but I soon realized that I really liked design.”
Christenson grew up helping with odds and ends at Remodel Works, such as doing warehouse inventory. “I started working for the family business soon after college graduation,” he says. “Initially it was a temporary opportunity, but I soon realized that I really liked design.”
Form and function. As much as he enjoys the aesthetic element, Christenson’s true passion lies in creating a space that functions well for the client. “I like listening to customers’ concerns and coming up with a design that resolves their issues,” he says. “Visiting the client’s house after installation is what really motivates me; it’s great to know our design has helped with a major aspect of someone’s home.”
Ready to whip up an irresistible kitchen? Read Christenson’s tips to create a functional space that sizzles.
Ready to whip up an irresistible kitchen? Read Christenson’s tips to create a functional space that sizzles.
1. Design for Your Lifestyle
Whether you’re a frequent entertainer who lacks room or a budding chef with a prep-space shortage, ponder what’s hampering your lifestyle. “Prepare a list of what you don’t like about your space and the reasons why,” Christenson says.
Clients in San Diego’s Old Town neighborhood requested an updated kitchen that would cater to their love of entertaining. The team removed the wall between the kitchen and the family room, allowing the clients to better interact with guests while cooking. They also upgraded the inefficient venting system, converted the electric range to gas and added a second oven to facilitate feast-prepping.
See more of this project
Whether you’re a frequent entertainer who lacks room or a budding chef with a prep-space shortage, ponder what’s hampering your lifestyle. “Prepare a list of what you don’t like about your space and the reasons why,” Christenson says.
Clients in San Diego’s Old Town neighborhood requested an updated kitchen that would cater to their love of entertaining. The team removed the wall between the kitchen and the family room, allowing the clients to better interact with guests while cooking. They also upgraded the inefficient venting system, converted the electric range to gas and added a second oven to facilitate feast-prepping.
See more of this project
2. Consider Your Work Areas
Think about how many cooks you’ll have in the kitchen and pay attention to the spacing between your workstations and appliances. Christenson recommends spacing kitchen elements at least 36 inches apart — preferably 42 inches — per the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s standards.
The Remodel Works team spaced the island and the perimeter wall 48 inches apart in the Encinitas kitchen seen here, to give the client (a certified chef) more freedom of movement. While excessive for many homeowners, this spacing was ideal for the client’s cooking needs, Christenson says.
See more of this project
Think about how many cooks you’ll have in the kitchen and pay attention to the spacing between your workstations and appliances. Christenson recommends spacing kitchen elements at least 36 inches apart — preferably 42 inches — per the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s standards.
The Remodel Works team spaced the island and the perimeter wall 48 inches apart in the Encinitas kitchen seen here, to give the client (a certified chef) more freedom of movement. While excessive for many homeowners, this spacing was ideal for the client’s cooking needs, Christenson says.
See more of this project
3. Embrace an Open Layout
Closed-off kitchens don’t fit with today’s fondness for community cooking. Remove walls and reorient your kitchen if necessary to connect with family and friends and enjoy a better view. You can even manipulate load-bearing walls to create an open layout, Christenson says.
The house seen here, in San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood, had been passed down through the family, and the current owners wanted to take advantage of its sea views. The team opened up the wall separating the kitchen from the living room, allowing the clients to look through the living room and out to the beach. They also added bar stools so guests could sit and chat as the owners cooked.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Ryan Christenson and examples of his work, visit Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Closed-off kitchens don’t fit with today’s fondness for community cooking. Remove walls and reorient your kitchen if necessary to connect with family and friends and enjoy a better view. You can even manipulate load-bearing walls to create an open layout, Christenson says.
The house seen here, in San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood, had been passed down through the family, and the current owners wanted to take advantage of its sea views. The team opened up the wall separating the kitchen from the living room, allowing the clients to look through the living room and out to the beach. They also added bar stools so guests could sit and chat as the owners cooked.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Ryan Christenson and examples of his work, visit Remodel Works Bath & Kitchen’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
PowerHouzzer Winner (#1 Remodeler in San Diego per Houzz) / Award-Winning Design-Build firm in San Diego,... Read More
Review by Amy Luxner:
We needed to remodel the primary bathroom in our recently built townhouse after seeing some issues. We'd used Bath and Remodel Works to remodel a bathroom in a previous house earlier, and based on tha...More