Crystal Hackl, CKBD, principal designer and owner of Livermore, Calif.-based Inspired Haven Design knew she could not allow kinks in the supply chain to derail this project. The clients, a young couple with a new baby, had purchased the 1970s ranch home and decided to remodel it before moving in.
The goals were to create an open layout that was family-friendly and would also accommodate casual entertaining. Raising the kitchen ceiling to match the cathedral ceiling in the adjacent living area was both in keeping with the character of the house and key to creating the relaxed ambiance the clients wanted.
Composing a balanced space was something Inspired Haven Design focused on early in the project. Centering the island on the range was the starting point, which determined where the appliance should be located and the dimensions of the island. “From there we worked to create equal visual weight on each side of the range,” said Hackl. “The refrigerator is balanced out by the appliance garage cabinet and the pendant lights frame the vent hood and draw attention to the symmetry of the uppers.”
Supply Chain Strategies
The most pressing challenge was the short project timeline. The design team was navigating ongoing supply chain issues and product price increases to complete the project on schedule and on budget. To achieve this, they used readily available stock cabinets and prefabricated countertops.
The on-site contractor – an accomplished finish carpenter – performed extensive modifications to the cabinets, giving the kitchen a custom feel. “We optimized the storage and function of the cabinets with field-installed accessories such as a trash/recycling bin a blind corner swing-out unit and fitted a microwave drawer into the island using a three-drawer base cabinet,” said Hackl. “The contractor removed the top two drawers and modified the face frame to fit.”
In the end, the experience was a positive one for the designer. “Learning to pivot and adjust for supply chain issues on this project was incredibly valuable,” she said. “It opened the doors to new products for us moving forward, and really stretched us to be resourceful, tenacious and above all, flexible.”
—By Leslie Clagett, KBB Managing Editor
