When the homeowners of the 3 Loew project purchased the home in June of 2014, they knew they would have to do some work before they could feel like their new house was truly a home that suited their needs.
Two months after purchasing the house, the homeowners contacted Masters Touch Design Build to help them with their extensive home remodel.
The clients had the following goals:
- Increase the overall size of the kitchen to include ample prep space, storage for small appliances, seating for several guests, and a wine bar area
- Capture the useless rooms on the back of the house to add usable square footage to the kitchen/eating area
- Enhance the aesthetics of the space to fit with their transitional style
- Create an open concept floor plan with defined areas within
- Improve upon the lighting, both natural and artificial
Each of these goals were met.
The main concern was that the kitchen was too small and lacked storage and prep space. The clients not only cooked several elaborate meals per week, but they also had relatives over frequently and cooked for them. The existing kitchen was also closed off from the rest of the house, which made entertaining extended family and friends difficult.
Another concern was with the two rooms off of the back of the existing kitchen. These two rooms at the back of the house could best be described as an indoor patio room and a sunroom. The existing kitchen window looked out to the unsightly indoor patio instead of the beautiful back yard. The sunroom had been built by the previous owner and required a great deal of work. Neither space served any purpose to the clients. With leaky skylights in the indoor patio room, green carpet in the sunroom, and both rooms blocking the kitchen views to the exterior, something had to change. By utilizing the two rooms at the back of the house, removing the entire back wall of the former kitchen, and completely reconfiguring the kitchen layout, an open concept was achieved. However, to keep the space from looking too open, the spaces were defined by custom columns with attached half walls to create the kitchen area, the eating area, the bar area, the mudroom area, and a seating area (not shown).
To attain the desired transitional aesthetic, a Shaker cabinet in a creamy off-white tone was the basis. From there, a dramatic granite called Antique Ice was selected. The clients fell in love with this granite because of the strong “river-like” veining pattern that ran across the whole slab. The island now features the “river” vein that flows from one side of the 9 foot island and “flows” directly to the island sink! Ice blue glass tile brightens up the backsplash and unexpected black accents in the hardware and pendant lights make this space uniquely harmonious.
Another tactic to brighten up the space was with the use of fenestration. A new double casement window was placed at the new sink location. New skylights were added above the new eating area. A triple slider with a transom above brings in ample natural light and provides connection from the kitchen space to the outdoors. Recessed lighting, pendant lighting, and undercabinet lighting provided a layered lighting effect when daylighting is not an option.
The end result is an incredible transformation that has helped to make the house a home.
Project Profile: 1190 West Kitchen Renovation