While searching for their forever home, our clients came upon a charming Tudor in Portland Heights with many features they adored, including large, bright windows looking out to lovely territorial views, plus charming built-ins throughout. The main level of the home, however, suffered from a truly awkward connection between the kitchen, foyer, basement staircase, dining room, and an isolated kitchen. Furthermore, the original kitchen layout was incredibly cramped with very narrow openings and no sightlines to other areas of the home. Reconfiguring the circulation from room to room was the primary focus, as well as creating a much more spacious kitchen with ample storage and a bright, airy feel.
Our design began by adjusting the location of the powder bath in the entryway, allowing for a major wall to be opened up while also creating additional storage and prep space in the new (although it seems completely original!) butler’s pantry. Our design created two separate access points to the kitchen, converting the entire main level to a more modern circular layout. The kitchen is now well integrated with the dining room and has a clear sightline into the living area. A balanced work triangle was established, allowing movement from the new French-door Bosch refrigerator to the oversized stainless steel sink (it even has a built-in sliding cutting board and workstation!) to the top-of-the-line induction cooktop. Also, an additional exterior door adjacent to the pantry now makes it easy to enjoy drinks on the home’s front patio.
The timeless, elegant style of the kitchen was carefully considered to ensure that it blended beautifully with the architecture and era of the home. Classic white shaker custom cabinetry rings the large L-shape of the walls providing a bright, airy feeling to what was formerly a very dark room. By enclosing the original access point, we were able to add handsome natural walnut cabinetry that encases the refrigerator, wall oven, and microwave, in addition to a handy pull-out pantry and a large expanse of extra storage space for large baking sheets and dishes. The butler’s pantry is both charming and incredibly functional, providing a large amount of additional storage and prep space. A small bar sink is also incorporated to make it the perfect spot to brew coffee and tea while keeping the main kitchen counters uncluttered!
Matte gold hardware ties both the kitchen and powder bath together, as well as the custom floating walnut vanity. A rich green and gold palm frond wallpaper is a nod to the previous palm tree wallpaper that lined the space. The tile floors in both rooms are considerate of the home’s original style: a simple white penny tile in the bath and an understated but eye-catching muted checkerboard design in the kitchen.
Now as you walk through the home, each room seamlessly transitions to the next–no rooms feel cramped or disconnected–and the kitchen is a timeless, thoughtful design. With every remodel we work diligently to exceed our clients’ goals while respecting each home’s history and ensuring it is a joy to live in for many years to come!
