Published, Better Homes and Gardens

LOCATION: One of a group of small, wood-framed cottages on a 1920s period cul-de-sac in the city. The house has a small, neat rear yard, but the owners have only a limited view from the small windows in the Kitchen.

CHALLENGE: The owners love to cook, and would like to improve their dark, cramped, inefficient kitchen, while maintaining the simple style of the house. The existing space has only a single, small window above the sink, surrounded by upper cabinets. An old walk-in pantry makes the kitchen narrow and awkward. 

SOLUTION: To create a more efficient and stylish workspace, and to open up the wall to the rear yard for natural light and a pleasing view from the kitchen where the couple spend so much time.

The pantry closet and all upper cabinets were removed, enlarging the room. New deep cabinets with pull-out wire drawers were built into the wall to provide ample storage. A new island with breakfast bar seating and a down-draft cooktop was added to visually center the space and allow easier circulation. The island has pan storage on one side of the range and knife storage with a pot cabinet on the other side. 

The quarry tile countertops and simple wood cabinets match the existing pine wood floor and the simple style of the home. White trim and a light, periwinkle blue color on the walls and ceiling provide a serene backdrop to the expanded view of the yard and sky.