From Pandora's Box to Jewel Box

The homeowner's dream was to open up the kitchen to the 180 degree view of the water and city skyline while simultaneously creating a stylish space with more storage and counter area. The kitchen was shaped like a bowling alley and was separated from the dining room by a closet that housed guest coats, a water heater and the air handler for the furnace. To open the room to the view, the closet was removed and the utilities relocated to other areas of the home. The original support posts needed to stay and were wrapped in sapele to match the two sided sapele buffet that separates the dining room from the kitchen. Removing the wood stove and closing in a window allowed the cooking zone to be moved from a traffic blocking peninsula to a spacious wall with good venting options (the previous range was not vented) and plenty of adjacent storage. The island parallel to the cooking wall provides storage, counter space and a safe distance between guests and chef. The clean and prep zone was reconfigured by removing a wall and replacing it with a peninsula that provides a countertop for serving and concealing an under counter microwave at an ergonomic height. The stacked pull-out pantries to the left of the fridge provide both storage and space so that the fridge doors do not hit the peninsula countertop. Wide plank oak floors with custom stain and oil finish, a combination of cherry and sapele cabinets, quartz countertops, glass tile backsplash and stainless appliances all contribute to an elegant but simple aesthetic in this low maintenance kitchen. The floating shelves provide storage/decorative space while a variety of lighting fixtures (under cabinet, pendant and recessed cans) ensure adequate lighting for every task from cleaning to romantic dinners.

Cabinetry: Cherry & Sapele • Countertops: Quartz