This beautiful renovation earned our team at Dover the 2020 NARI Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award: Second Place, Kitchen: $100,001- $150,000. For the next 3 weeks, Dover designer and guest blogger Leslie Alton will walk you through this award-winning home remodeling project which features an updated open-concept kitchen that seamlessly blends with the adjoining living spaces.
BLOG #2 of 3 IN A SERIES:
CotY Award Winner: Second Place, Kitchen: $100,001 – $150,000
Creating an updated family-friendly, open-concept kitchen
A quick recap—and then on to demo…
Every inch of this kitchen was upgraded and redesigned with extreme attention to detail: The new layout uses clean, contemporary lines and maximizes the storage options of each cabinet, making it perfectly suited for this family of five.
Our first hurdle. The demolition took this kitchen down to the wall studs and sub floor—which is where we discovered that the large corner cabinet (which previously housed their double oven and angled wall) was hiding the main heat run to the second floor. We resolved the issue by relocating the duct work, preserving the new kitchen design.
We eliminated the overpowering angled corner wall and the double oven to give the homeowners more usable space along with the streamlined look they desired.
Before & After:
After:
A compromise. The original cabinet layout was designed to incorporate a 48” commercial range as the showpiece. The cost of the code-required rangehood was steep, so the homeowners decided on a 36” professional style range instead. While we still had to run the vent to the outside, it was a much more cost-effective option than going with the commercial model.
Because they were losing the second oven by downsizing their range, we added a Speed Oven built into the island which serves as a microwave, a convection oven and another conventional oven for baking. Using multi-tasking appliances like this one is great way to pack more utility into a kitchen design when space is at a premium.
The ovens…before & after
… after – built into the island
With a light, yet warm airy feel as our driving inspiration, it was evident that white cabinetry wasn’t going to fit the bill—it would feel too stark. We selected Medallion Goldline cabinets: The perimeter cabinets are painted a mellow Irish Crème (a stock color option). We stretched them to the ceiling, ending in detailed crown molding. This gave the cabinets better form and function, excellent for both their storage capacity and a more contemporary profile.
The homeowners loved the idea of creating a massive rectangular island to command the center of the space. And it was a great vision: The new island is the perfect balance of beautiful form plus function—it provides plenty of workspace, contains a large single-bowl stainless sink and extra oven, includes seating for four to five people, and is loaded with smart storage options on two sides.
To distinguish this feature island from the perimeter cabinets, we chose Medallion cherry cabinets with an artfully distressed Cappuccino finish (which echoes a relaxed driftwood look). Custom posts and panels give it the look of a unique piece of furniture.
Watch for the final blog in this three-part series in December. I’ll highlight even more of the custom features that make this stunning kitchen an absolute dream. Don’t miss it!
Leslie Alton
