For this kitchen, designer Komall Sheth of Austin-based Spaces Designed immediately recognized what needed to be done to correct the space. The client was frustrated with the original layout: a small kitchen island paired with a peninsula made working in the room feel like a maze. Moving around the kitchen meant constantly circling counters, creating an inefficient and disconnected workflow.
Kitchen Island Conundrum
When it came time to reimagine the space, Sheth eliminated the peninsula and replaced it with a six-sided, multi-functional island. The new design introduced clearly-defined zones for prep, cooking, storage and seating – all within a central hub that made movement effortless. Not only did this streamline the flow, but it also modernized the look and feel of the kitchen, while keeping the proportions balanced and harmonious. The space felt more open, inviting, and finally tailored to how the clients live and cook every day.
“We had never done such a large and rather atypical island,” said the designer. “It felt really huge when we were drawing it, but as the cabinets started developing and were being installed one by one, we could change it a little bit on site to fit the angles correctly.”
Design Challenges & Solutions
“Every renovation comes with a few surprises, and this project was no exception,” said Sheth. “Two of our biggest hurdles involved blending old with new – and making sure the functionality met the client’s daily needs.”
The first obstacle concerned the cabinets. To be sustainable and cost-conscious, the design team reused much of the existing solid oak cabinets and planned to update them with fresh paint. But the first two rounds of paint didn’t adhere properly. Repainting the cabinets a third time proved to be the charm; by adjusting the prep process and materials, Sheth finally got the flawless, cohesive finish she was after. The result blends perfectly with the new cabinetry.
The other challenge focused on the lift doors. The client loved the idea of appliance lifts to tuck away all the appliances, However, the original design used solid doors, which turned out to be too heavy and awkward to raise comfortably. So midway through the project, Sheth pivoted to a different lift mechanism and shorter door heights that offered better support and smoother operation. It was a simple switch that made a big difference in usability.
Sources
Design: Komall Sheth, Spaces Designed Interior Design Studio; Photography: Brian Cole Photography; Cabinets, Inserts, Hardware: Custom; Cooktop, Microwave, Refrigerator, Wall Ovens: LG; Countertops, Flooring: MSI; Dishwasher: Bosch; Faucets: Delta; Paint: Sherwin-Williams; Seating: World Market; Sinks: Kohler; Vent Hood: Zephyr; Wine Cooler: U-Line
