KITCHEN REMODEL: "NOT SO BIG" BUNGALOW

A 1929 urban Bungalow, well-preserved save for the 115 square-foot kitchen, had been twice remodeled by previous homeowners. City lot restrictions precluded any change in the home’s footprint (i.e., no addition). Our clients wished to restore the original Craftsman-era charm to their kitchen. At the same time, they were looking to increase the functionality of the space and create additional seating for frequent dinner guests.

Custom cabinets (using FSC-certified maple) were designed with simple flat panel doors and fabricated using dove-tail joinery as was typical of Bungalow cabinetry. Red oak, stained to match the home’s original millwork was used to construct the cabinet lowers and a new bench to create continuity with the remainder of the home. Carrara marble and cream enameled cabinet uppers, authentic to the 1920s period, was used to aesthetically brighten the space. The backsplash tile was selected to pay tribute to the home’s original 1929 wall color – found beneath several layers of wallpaper during demolition. Walls were painted a warm, historically accurate terracotta (the perfect compliment the red oak cabinetry and trim). Lighting issues in this north-facing kitchen were addressed using hidden over-cabinet and task-specific under-cabinet lighting as well as several period fixtures – hand fashioned by a local artisan specializing in historic reproductions.

A new bench (with storage below) was custom built to span the 12’ dining room wall. The larger kitchen approach provided room for a new serve-through with counter seating. No new square footage… six new seats! Specialized, task-specific storage - the highlight of Bungalow kitchens - was incorporated throughout. Simple and practical…in budget and in period.

This project was awarded the 2011 Contractor of the Year (COTY) award for "Best Historic Renovation."