The island the homeowner desired hides a garbage can and adds extra storage while also serving as a gathering place. As an added benefit, its proximity to the sink makes cleanup a breeze.
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Like many Hawaii kitchens, this space was isolated from the rest of the house by one expansive wall. “For me, the space wasn’t that small, but because it was drowned by walls, I felt kind of left out and trapped,” says Steve Pak, of American Cabinetry, whom the homeowners found after a two-year search for the right company. The homeowners selected American Cabinetry because of the way its custom cabinets, personalized service and innovative design team fit their needs.
The isolated kitchen came with a lack of storage space and dated appliances, countertops and flooring. Not to mention insects nested inside slider windows, making them hard to clean. The homeowners’ wish list was specific. They knew the wall needed to come down, among other things. They wanted an island, more storage space, new appliances, countertops, lighting and flooring. They also needed to stay within their budget.
New stainless steel appliances and a gas cooktop fit right in with the updated design and silver fixtures.
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Together, the homeowners and design team came up with a plan to turn their confined, crowded kitchen into a bright, airy space that opened up and flowed naturally with the rest of the house. At the same time, the design catered to the couple’s lifestyle. With three children, they needed a kitchen that was low-maintenance and durable, yet still stylish.
They began by tearing down the separation wall. Next, they maximized existing square footage by integrating cabinets, a closet and an island, all of which increased storage and decreased clutter. The custom Shaker-style cherry-wood cabinets supplied by American Cabinetry’s signature line, Design Studio NV, integrated classic style and subtle details, such as pull-out drawers.
The added French door and new casement windows let in natural light and proved easier to clean than the former slider windows. New recessed lighting above the sink and pendant lights above the island brighten up the space even more. Flecks of orange and yellow in the pendant lights above the island add warmth.
For the porcelain tile flooring, Pak suggested using a monochromatic palette to expand the room without increasing actual square footage. Its beige color reflects the warm, golden-brown hues of the cabinets, while its durability and low-maintenance care speaks to the homeowners’ lifestyle.
Now, a kitchen that used to leave inhabitants feeling claustrophobic has opened up and successfully merged function and style. “Everything makes sense … It looks beautiful,” the homeowner says.
