Homeowners’ Request:

This couple had already remodeled most of this 1970s single-story home, but had yet to address their outdated kitchen. They desired a remodel that would not only tie the kitchen’s visual appeal in with the rest of the home, but also keep costs to a minimum. The homeowners already liked the kitchen’s U-shaped layout and opted to keep major appliances in place to minimize cost. However, they wanted to rid the space of a large wall that cut the kitchen off from the rest of the home.

Designer’s Challenge:

Help the homeowners cut costs by preserving the placement of key objects in the existing space.

Designer’s Solution:

Tanner began by removing the wall that obstructed the view of the rest of the home from the kitchen. The team also removed a pony wall, made of drywall, short brown wall cabinets and another set of short, free-standing cabinets that housed an outdated gray laminate countertop.

The team then added an exterior vented hood and soffits, which added new architectural interest to the space.

When it came time to update the flooring, Tanner helped the homeowners preserve their original tile, which they still liked very much. Keeping the tile would also aid in preserving the U-shape design of the kitchen and minimize the overall cost. To accomplish this goal, the team thoroughly cleaned the existing tile grout and added new grout in small spots, where necessary. This new grout was color-matched to the existing grout before sealing.

To address storage space, Tanner and her team installed lots of new cabinetry, which included Super Susans, a 2-bin trash/recycle pullout and ample amounts of drawers, shelving, pantries and rollouts. A lighted glass wall display cabinet, which holds stemware and memorabilia, was also added.

When it came to the finishing touches, Tanner left no stone unturned. She spent ample time looking for the perfect color of granite for the countertops and backsplash, finally settling on Yellow Maguary granite for all. Tanner also added new can lights for general lighting and pink halogen task lighting under the cabinetry. Older appliances were replaced with stainless-steel appliances as well.

Not surprisingly, the project was deemed a success. According to the designers, “All of the challenges were addressed in the final design, providing an updated look using quality and stylish finishes to create this contemporary classic.”