Condo Concepts

The Rutt Handcrafted Cabinets in maple melamine with a cherry finish, were painted green to reflect the lush valley and old Nuuanu style.

This was the case for homeowners Marjorie and Dennis Francis. Their condo’s old kitchen was closed off from the rest of the living area. The restricted space of condo living added to the problem. “The kitchen felt small, claustrophobic. It was hard to entertain, because I wasn’t able to interact with anyone while I was in there,” says Marjorie.

At a neighborhood cookout, the homeowners were introduced to their condo-kitchen solution—Michael Smith, certified master kitchen and bath designer, of Kitchen Concepts Plus Inc. For 20 years, Smith has provided innovative, quality kitchen designs. To update the Francis’ kitchen for modern usage, Smith’s design opened it up by connecting two rooms and precisely placing appliances and cabinets to maximize space.

First, Smith cut a large pass-through window in the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. The kitchen’s main cooking station sits beneath the pass-through, so the cook can chat with guests seated at the dining room table. The open space displays simmering sauces and allows fragrant dishes to entice. “The large pass-through really brings the rest of the living area into the kitchen,” says Smith.

Next on the chopping block was the bulkhead, which was originally installed above cabinets to make the room feel cozy. “It was two feet tall and 18 inches deep. It was very cumbersome,” Smith says. When removed, the lofty cherry cabinetry and 10-foot ceilings are friendly, instead of oppressive. Beneath the bulkhead, Smith uncovered several inches of window that now lets in more of the bright, Nuuanu valley view.

After opening up the kitchen, Smith gave it a functional layout and useful storage. “Designing for a condo is more technical. It takes smart engineering to fit in everything. We just can’t tear out walls to extend rooms, because, then, we would be in the common area between units,” Smith says.

The venerated working triangle—refrigerator to sink to cooktop—anchors the kitchen’s appliances. From the induction cooktop, the cook can simply turn around to the refrigerator/freezer, or walk a single step to the double-basin sink. Smith created the ideal food prep area by adding ample counter space on either side of the cooktop and sink. And, instead of a bulky overhead hood, a condo-friendly down-draft hood rises from the counter.

To maximize storage, Smith installed a Lazy Susan inside of one corner cabinet. Another cabinet has a “miracle corner,” which features two shelves when the door is pulled straight out, and two more shelves when swung to the side. Low drawers, instead of deep cabinets, make pots and pans more accessible. Above the pass-through, Smith mounted double-duty cabinets with glass doors to store and display antiques, memorabilia and serving dishes.

The Francises are eager to invite friends and family to dinner now that everyone can take part in the conversation. The kitchen is now a place where they are comfortable. “Before, the kitchen was closed off, a space for only the cook. Now, it is opened up for entertaining, as well as to the beautiful view,” says Smith.