Contemporary Kitchen Remodel

Floor Plan:

Increasing the size of the pantry and allowing the finished end of the pantry to create the end of the kitchen provided almost 8 additional inches of pantry width, in addition to the high storage above, as the cabinetry previously did not go to the ceiling.  The electrical for both the kitchen, nook and the dining room were previously located on the end of this return wall. Now, the entry to the kitchen feels more spacious, and the electrical has been moved to the dining room side of the wall, necessitating that just one of the pantry pull out shelving units be fixed, rather than adjustable.

Upper Cabinetry:

Upper cabinetry was added to finish at the ceiling, with interior low voltage lighting. Reeded glass doors with soft interior etching prevents clear viewing of the interior of the cabinets. This addition gave the illusion of far more height in the room, and provided necessary storage for infrequently utilized entertaining platters, trays, and seasonal serve ware. Under cabinet lighting was added to the underside of the upper cabinet complex to provide adequate counter top lighting, to provide hidden duplexes wherever needed throughout the kitchen, and to highlight the subtle textural wave pattern of the large format porcelain backsplash tile.

Cabinetry and Island Floorplan:

While the change in the pantry side of the kitchen, and the addition of the upper cabinetry made an outstanding improvement in the space available in the kitchen, we provided additional space on the  patio door side of the room as well, and we added 8” to the overall length of the island to accommodate the new footprint of the kitchen.  These additions provided some fabulous opportunities: By increasing the window side cabinetry, we were able to wrap the corner, providing 10” of additional counter top, with an upper above, bookcase storage below for cookbooks, and storage for the resident doggie’s dry food, along with a water and food bowl pull out. The storage specialties continue throughout the room, where drawers are utilized in lieu of cabinets where possible, 3 large areas of what would be wasted ‘toe kick’ space have been used instead for storage of baking trays, rolling pins, and some of the large utensils that just never seem to fit properly anywhere. Where we do have cabinets, we have utilized low rimmed pull out shelving to assist in organization and ergonomic utilization of the spaces. The two lower corner cabinets utilize double full  extension ‘peanut’ shelves to take advantage of every inch. Even the shallow corner cabinets utilize lazy Susan’s for access to space easily. There are spice cabinet pull outs on both sides of the cooktop for neat and easily accessible access to condiments while cooking, making clean up so much easier.

Materials and Color:

While so many people fear utilizing dark cabinetry, it actually is advantageous in a small kitchen such as this, as it allows the perimeter cabinetry to recede from view, while the white quartzite stone counter tops and the porcelain back splash provide beautiful contrast that brightens the overall lightness of the space, as does the well-thought-out lighting. With the cabinetry meeting the ceiling, it provided the opportunity to mount our motorized roman shade at the ceiling, as well, such that when the shade is pulled up the entire window can be exposed, and the upper wall above the window is covered with what appears to be a woven valance, contributing to daytime light, nighttime privacy, and just enough texture.

Serving clients across San Clemente, The Strand, Dana Point, Newport Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Rancho Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Covenant Hills, Mission Viejo, Santa Margarita, Irvine, Monarch Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Shady Canyon, Newport Coast, Tustin, Coto de Caza, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Capistrano Beach and the surrounding areas.

We also serve Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and out-of-state homes upon request.