A couple approached us to remodel their bland, rarely used kitchen and dining area in their mountain area home. The outdoor scenery provided an ideal backdrop, and they wanted it to continue into their home.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

We helped fulfill their dream by designing a space that resembled a ski mountain lodge that was both functional and luxurious. A blend of warm, inviting cabinetry and modern, high-tech appliances perfectly portrays the couple's individual personalities and fosters a peacefulness they had yet to experience in their kitchen or dining area.

Setting the scene for the new look, rich cabinetry in a truffle stain and caramel finish envelops the kitchen and dining area creating an immediate warmth and comfort. In respect to their surroundings, the couple chose environmentally-friendly Showplace Lyptus wood, a renewable wood grown in Brazil. Combined with non-porous Staron countertops in green-hued Quarry Buff, the true feel of the outdoors comes to life. Coordinating custom cabinetry was crafted for the dining area. Two glass-door upper cabinets showcase their stemware with a convenient wine rack below, while tall, shelved cabinets provide ample storage for all other dishware.

Appealing to the husband's engineering side and the wife's desire for ease of use, we chose state-of-the-art appliances to technically update the space. A Kenyon custom black, lite-touch cook top transformed their cleaning process with the absence of coils or knobs to get in the way. The area which contains the Kitchen Aid refrigerator and the double oven also features a built-in message, phone and television-area so the husband can now cook while watching "Sports Center."

As a focal point of the space, a stainless steel hood by Best Broan is located above the peninsula which separates the kitchen and dining area. We installed Hampton Bay pendant lighting on either side of the hood illuminating the space and easing the transition between the spaces. The peninsula faces the dining room further bringing the spaces together during use and providing a beautiful view outside from the dining room window. Finally, Mach Xenon under cabinet task lighting offers function and introduces ambience throughout the space.

CHALLENGES

Retaining space for the formal dining table was a challenge with the desired changes. We removed a partial wall between the kitchen and dining room to open the area and ensure the table would fit. We also removed the existing floors to make way for hardwood red oak flooring in the kitchen and dining room.

While the couple was seeking much needed storage space, the location of the windows in the kitchen prevented full depth pantry cabinets. The window location could not change as they were a desired connection to the outdoors. To overcome this restraint we built custom depth, tall, shelved pantries and doubled the storage space with rollout trays and a lazy susan in a corner cabinet. The custom cabinetry allowed us to fulfill the couple's wish to accommodate all kitchen items including mops and cleaning supplies without interrupting the view.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Creating a kitchen and dining room that was as beautiful as the outside forest view was a major victory. By listening to the preferences of both husband and wife we were able to design a space that perfectly blends each person's tastes and personalities.

He loves the simplicity of the cabinetry design and she loves the cozy feel of a warm and inviting space. The kitchen area is now the most used and enjoyed area of their home where they can comfortably watch television or the birds outside. They frequently entertain guests with ease and feel confident their home now reflects the beautiful surroundings in which they live.