
Kitchen and Family Room Remodel
This project began when I was contacted by the homeowner to assist with a kitchen renovation. The homeowner is a commercial contractor who is very familiar with the ins and outs of a project. However as a project manager they were not accustomed to having to make all the decisions that a kitchen renovation entailed. They had some initial plans and a mock island they had created to see how this renovation would feel in the space.
Interior Transformations came in and showed them ways to reconfigure their drink station, as well as, their bar counter to double their space and to allow for a better function and flow. We designed a space that would incorporate the family room, drink station, breakfast area, and kitchen as one space to work within each other.
We also designed an entertainment buffet for the family room. The Family Room was particularly challenging because it was divided by entrances from the front door and the dining room. The family room had the fireplace on the opposite wall dead center of the entrance. We were able to orient the furnishings in such a way that the fireplace with the TV above could be the focal point. Previously the TV had been on the wall with the entertainment center and separate from the fireplace. We unified the focal point by placing the TV above the fireplace.
Our redesign relocated the drink station to better serve the kitchen area, the outdoor area, and the family room. It had previously been in the back corner of the already tight breakfast area. By bringing it out of that space and positioning it between the rooms it provided a better flow of all the spaces and cut down on the bowling alley effect of the room.
We unified the space by utilizing the same flooring throughout the entire area. The wood plank tile that we chose extended from the kitchen into the breakfast area as well as the entire family room and into the back hallway. We used two (2) different countertop materials. This offered a certain rhythm and repetition. The same granite was used on the bar counter, perimeter of the kitchen, the entertainment center, and the face of the fireplace. The island and drink station shared the same material.
This was a well-integrated and collaborated project. John Gage and his team at New Era Custom Design & Cabinet Works, Inc. worked with us to refine and tweak the floor plans, elevations, cabinet design and color fabrication to create a customized look to articulate our client’s dreams. Classic Granite and Marble fabricated and installed all of the granite surfaces. They created the beautiful waterfall effect at the end of the large bar counter and peninsula. The Tile shop shared their design expertise and is where the tile was procured. The geometric tile design for the backsplash behind the cooktop and in the drink station is timeless and universal, reminiscent of ancient classical designs. The finishing touches which also harkens to classic lines and days of old came from an acclaimed wood-turning artist whose worked was showcased in the HorseSpirit Arts Gallery before the Ellicott City Main Street flood, Allen Alexopulos of Lathescapes. His works are available through www.lathescapes.com.
Our process at Interior Transformations helps define our clients’ lifestyle by understanding how they live every day. We guide our clients by offering solutions that are personal, functional, aesthetically pleasing, within their budget, and make their heart sing!
Photography by: www.midatlanticphotographic.