Holbrook Kitchen
Before. The clients of this Victorian house wanted to update their kitchen, but thought they wanted to reuse the existing cabinets and just update the look. They also wanted to get rid of an inefficient laundry area that shared space with the only first floor bath.
The previous owner had renovated the kitchen space in the early 90s with what appeared to be stock, dark cherry cabinets and lowered the ceilings with drop panels. The kitchen was very incorrectly configured and dark. The bath was crowded and did not offer an inviting space for guests. Linoleum covered the floors and plumbing pipes protruded from the walls in the bath/laundry area. Since our firm recently designed and constructed a new laundry room on the second floor, the clients wanted to create a full bath that could be used by guests when they entertain and also could be utilized by themselves if they ever had to convert a downstairs public room into a bedroom. The kitchen had to be able to accommodate two "chefs", since both clients love to cook, and friends who love to hang out while food preparation is going on. |
After. Wanting to make the space function for both the clients and their guests, it was imperative to create a unique environment that makes one want to linger past the different eating times of the day. Since the rooms had to be gutted and areas of neglect removed and repaired, it was a blank canvas ready to be envisioned.
The old floors could not be salvaged so "new" growth heart pine was laid. Taking a page from what was done in the “new” laundry room, our firm continued the recessed panel style cabinets down into the kitchen. Instead of painting all the cabinets, the hutch was built using quarter sawn oak and rises from floor to ceiling with glass doors to showcase gourmet cooking items and vintage glassware the clients have collected. A round built-in granite table that is supported by an antique column the client found, extends both the prep and serving area from the cooking range. It also doubles as another place for friends and family to sit when there is overflow. By raising the ceilings and lightening the wall and cabinet colors from what was previously in place, the room is much brighter and inviting. Also a corner where the breakfast table sits was given the accent of beadboard and painted the creamy trim color. The entry way into the new bath is accessed through a set of oak doors built in the hutch. The bath was a total collaboration between the clients and our firm. Since there was no period style present for a downstairs bath, Art Deco was selected to be the theme. A double hung window was the main feature and, for both privacy and aesthetic appeal, the glass was removed and replaced with a more Jazz-era frosted glass, geometric designed window. A cast iron pedestal sink was installed with flanking cabinets painted black with glass pulls and a faceted oval mirror hung above. A traditional black and white tiled shower with a seamless glass surround continues the clean lines. Period light fixtures and aged hardware add ambiance to both the new kitchen and bath. |