Small Space, Big Style

At home with the editor for a kitchen update

August 23, 2013

2:07 PM

Photography by Donovan Roberts Witmer

Removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and dining room with recreated arches opened the way to a dual function space to cook, eat and entertain.

It started with a page torn out of a magazine hanging from a magnet on the fridge. The ugly white fridge that bumped out past the counter taking up precious inches in a tiny galley kitchen. The inspiration renovation was done in $5,000. So I showed my husband, and said, “Look, we can do this.” That was the budget I had in mind, knowing that even $10,000 would be reasonable for a kitchen remodel. While we hit the latter and then some, with some creative solutions and “do-it-ourselves” hard work, we turned a teeny tiny outdated space into a crisp, clean modern kitchen that works for the way we cook and entertain. I imagined it; my handy husband, Don, made it happen.

The first step was taking down and painting the peach hued wood cabinet doors (which were brand new custom cabinets so we didn’t want to completely replace them). After a good sanding, several cans of white spray paint (and my husband’s

steady hand), new glass knobs and pewter drawer pulls, the kitchen already looked cleaner, brighter and bigger.

But to really make the space bigger, we needed to knock down a wall, or at least part of it as my husband ultimately decided to save some ceiling support. This also allowed him to creatively replicate the archways in other parts of our 1950s cottage.

http://www.BaxtonStudio.comNew appliances came next. I dreamt of a professional gas range, even though I had turned out many a gourmet meal on the electric ranges of rental properties past, and we found a beautiful Italian model at Martin Appliance in Quarryville in the Bertazzoni master series gas range (www.MartinAppliance.com). The one thing we did not realize, was when we knocked down the wall, we created the need for a freestanding range hood (as opposed to a wall mount, which are less expensive and more common, thus more selection). But we secured a modern, functional KitchenAid hood, also from Martin Appliance, from the “ding and dent” section for a better price. We also needed a counter depth fridge to save space and loved the open European design of the Fisher and Paykel we found at Martin Appliance (plus, it’s smudge proof!). We decided to leave the existing dishwasher and not go with stainless because the white one blended in with the new white cabinets and created a clean line of sight.

While the one goal of the remodel was to create more space and a more open feeling, the other was to create an area suited for entertaining

While the one goal of the remodel was to create more space and a more open feeling, the other was to create an area suited for entertaining,

because we love to throw parties and host family gatherings. Of course, when we have people over, everyone wants to gather in the kitchen, so I wanted to create a bar that would overlook the range and food prep area where friends and family can sit and chat while I cook, but not be in the way of my work triangle (sink, refrigerator and stove). We created the bar unusually long (8 feet spanning the entire wall) to make even more counter/serving space due to a serious lack in the original design. My husband also built an 8-foot long dining room table to match. We covered the bar and the table in a concrete finish (as opposed to pouring concrete which can be difficult, heavy and can crack) called Deco-Paz, available at Fresco Green Scene in downtown Lancaster (www.FrescoGreen.com).

The concrete table and bar echo the concrete-look, eco-friendly, large-format (2-foot by 1-foot) modern vinyl click tiles that cover the kitchen and hall floor (from Bomberger’s in Lititz, www.Bombergers.com). Good bye Pepto pink cold, hard terra cotta tile of yesteryear! I was possibly even more glad to say goodbye to the porcelain sink that no matter how much I scrubbed never looked clean enough or stayed that way; replaced with a professional under-mount, single bowl, modern aluminum sink by Kohler with a retro-inspired, cross-handled bridge faucet in chrome (both from Inspirations Bath and Kitchen Studio by Hajoca in Harrisburg, www.InspirationsHarrisburg.com).

Juxtaposing the industrial design which features recycled aluminum “Navy Chairs” by Emeco in Hanover (www.Emeco.net) and cage lighting with Edison bulbs, chic elements like a herringbone Carerra marble backsplash, leathered “Abolute Black” honed granite (both from Classic Granite in Lititz, ClassicGranite.us), a modern crystal chandelier above the table and Philippe-Starck-knock-off acrylic bar stools create the industrial chic tone for two integrated spaces.

Antiques like Mason jars as vessels for grains, family heirloom turquoise glass canisters, vintage seed packs framed and matted with burlap, and a giclée canvas print of Lancaster artist Christiane David’s “Central Market” painting (which actually features my cousin and me!) as well as comfy banquette seating lined with pillows (built by my

husband to create more storage and save on space) all add to a casual feel full of character in a new space that functions for our family.

Resources:

Appliances: Fisher & Paykel Active Smart 17.3 cubic ft. refrigerator, Bertazzoni Master Series gas range and KitchenAid free-standing range hood, Kitchen Aid 36-inch island hood; all from Martin Appliance, regional locations (www.MartinAppliance.com)

Backsplash, Bar and Counters: Absolute Black honed, leathered granite, herringbone Carerra marble; both from Classic Granite in Lititz (www.ClassicGranite.us). Backsplash install by Piotr Lesinara (717-629-2474). Bar and table custom built; covered in Deco-Paz concrete from Fresco Green Scene in Lancaster (www.FrescoGreen.com)

Faucet/Sink: Kohler Parq deck-mount faucet in polished chrome; Kohler Vault under-mount sink; from Inspirations Bath and Kitchen Studio by Hajoca in Harrisburg (www.InspirationsHarrisburg.com)

Flooring: Barry Alloc PureLoc eco-friendly vinyl planks in Concrete Light from Bombergers in Lititz (www.Bombergers.com)

Lighting: Industrial cage ceiling mount fixture in nickel; (www.LampsPlus.com). Modern chandelier (www.nwogo.com)

Seating: Bar stools, Liana Acrylic Stools; (www.BaxtonStudio.com). Dining chairs, Emeco Navy chair; from Emeco in Hanover (www.Emeco.net)

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