After a plumbing failure flooded the kitchen while the homeowners were out of town, Amanda George, CKBD, Allied ASID, of Seattle-based Amanda George Interior Design, got the call to renovate the room. In addition to implementing fixes that immediately impacted the comfort and efficiency of the kitchen, she took the opportunity to discreetly future proof many of its features.
At literally the last minute, though, a major change had to be made to the plan. The clients had requested that George retain their existing, white-glass wall ovens and refrigerator. But when the fridge gave up the ghost – on the day the cabinet order was being finalized – she had to pivot quickly and rework a significant portion of the cabinetry to accommodate a new appliance. Notably, the new refrigerator was a paneled model, which recast the entire space.
“What could have been a setback ultimately became a turning point,” said George. “The updated design not only resolved the issue seamlessly but also enhanced the overall kitchen concept, bringing the entire vision together.”
Starting With Finishes
When selecting the materials, the designer took cues from the maple used throughout the home and incorporated the wood into the kitchen. She opted to use crisp, white cabinets to wrap and highlight the wood tones on the range and refrigerator walls, creating a two-tone, framed effect. To enhance the visual depth, the wood units were designed to protrude slightly beyond the white ones, a technical challenge that tested George’s skills. She spent considerable time refining the cabinet specifications and order details to ensure the proportions, transitions and installation were executed flawlessly.
Aging Gracefully
Some of the designer’s favorite aspects of this kitchen are the flow and overall workability of the layout. It was designed to allow the homeowners to cook and move comfortably within their own dedicated zones – an important request from the couple. The result is a space that feels harmonious and intuitive, accommodating both shared moments and independent tasks with ease.
It also supports the aging-in-place program the designer subtly implemented. In addition to the wider walkways, she used safe and soft non-slip vinyl flooring; it’s groutable, mimicking ceramic tile. Door thresholds have been removed, replaced by flat-plane transitions. Drawers (instead of cupboards with hinged doors) dominate the base cabinets.
While the reward for a job well done is always measured by the clients’ satisfaction, this kitchen was also recognized by George’s peers – the project won Best Large Kitchen and Best Use of Materials awards from the NKBA Puget Sound Shapter.
Sources
Design: Amanda George CKBD, Allied ASID, Amanda George Interior Design LLC Photography: Anton Benedikt, AB Photo & Video General Contractor: AMG Design Build KITCHEN Cabinets: Crystal Cabinet Works Cabinet Hardware: Emtek Cabinet Inserts: Rev-A-Shelf Cooktop, Dishwasher, Refrigerator: Monogram Countertops: Architectural Surfaces Faucets: Brizo Flooring: Commercial Vinyl Lighting: Visual Comfort, Hudson Valley, Studio M Paint: Sherwin-Williams Seating: Uttermost Sinks: Elkay Tile: Daltile Vent Hood: Best
