I always love a great transformation, and I have a lovely one to share with you this month. Not only is it a visual transformation, but also a functional transformation. Before we delve into the before and after pictures, I will set the stage… a busy family of five in Chicago, all of whom use the kitchen space but for different reasons. The problem arose when those competing tasks overlapped physical space. The kids need to be able to grab a snack, make their lunch, access waste/recycling, do homework and wash their hands. The parents primarily occupy the main work triangle, preparing meals and doing dishes. In the original kitchen, many of the parts of the kitchen used by the children were right in the middle of the work triangle, as you can see below with the diagonal sink, waste bin and food storage all in the main corner. This layout caused many a bottleneck over the years, prompting the homeowners to contact Kitchen Design Partners and designer Nancy Jacobson in search of a solution.
Before:
The old kitchen in Cherry flat panel cabinetry with Cherry flooring.
After:
Dura Supreme cabinetry in “Skyline Walnut” laminate and “White” paint. Photography by Dennis Jourdan.
As you can see the far wall is all ovens and refrigeration, and they squared off the corner, saying good-bye to the diagonal sink and moving the main sink to the kitchen island. With that far walkway not being a major traffic path anymore, it made a lot of sense to put oven doors and refrigerator doors there. If you’ll notice, look closer at the corner and you will see that although the corner is voided, the designer made good use of it by adding storage just above the countertop, housing a stand mixer- what a great idea for an otherwise un-useable space. Below is a closer view:
Closer view of back wall Dura Supreme cabinetry and SubZero Wolf appliances. Photography by Dennis Jourdan.
The homeowners did some good research on their own, attending a SubZero Wolf cooking demonstration in Chicago and speaking with a professional chef. This research helped them tremendously in making appliance selections while driving some of the design directions of this project. This is a great way for homeowners to hone their opinions and get involved in the decision-making on major purchases that aren’t made very often.
A lot of what the kids use the kitchen for is now located on the other side of the island, in a new, expanded pantry.
View of working side of the kitchen island and barn door entry to new walk-in pantry. Photography by Dennis Jourdan.
Behind the barn door is a new walk-in pantry with a small microwave, drinks, hand washing sink and snacks/lunch supplies.
View inside pantry with microwave, sink and storage. Photography by Dennis Jourdan.
To the left of the barn door is also banquette seating and bookshelves, a great place for homework time.
Full view of entire kitchen, Dura Supreme cabinetry. Photography by Dennis Jourdan.
Designer Nancy Jacobson also made sure to incorporate much-needed storage throughout, with pullouts on either side of the cooktop for oils and spices, drawer cutlery dividers, tray dividers and roll-outs for ease of use. Also notice storage on the side of the banquette- nice touch!
View of Dura Supreme storage solutions, Pull-Out Spice cabinet, Tray Dividers, Lift Door cabinet. Photography by Dennis Jourdan.
Designer Nancy Jacobson also made sure to incorporate much-needed storage throughout, with pullouts on either side of the cooktop for oils and spices, drawer cutlery dividers, tray dividers and roll-outs for ease of use. Also notice storage on the side of the banquette- nice touch!
With the kid and parent work areas separated now, it is much easier for everyone to function in the kitchen at the same time. It has also been a lot easier to keep things clean and organized for this busy family.
If you would like more information on this and other projects by Nancy Jacobson and Kitchen Design Partners, you can visit them at www.KitchenDesignPartners.com or through their pages on Instagram, Houzz, and Facebook. While Nancy Jacobson was the kitchen designer, Ann Randall Designs was the Interior Designer and Mahogany Builders was the contractor.
Kitchen Design: Nancy Jacobson of Kitchen Design Partners, Illinois
Interior Designer: Ann Randall Designs
Contractor: Mahogany Builders
Photography: Dennis Jourdan Photography
Cabinets: The darker cabinets are Dura Supreme’s Bria Frameless Cabinetry in the Alpine door style finished in “Skyline Walnut” laminate with a vertical grain pattern. The lighter cabinets are in our Dempsey door style in Dura Supreme’s “White” painted finish.
Countertops: Cambria’s “Ella” Countertops
Kitchen Appliances: SubZero Wolf