Assessing the original kitchen – dark wood cabinets, an odd island, not enough daylight, no focal point – designer Monica Boldea of Delafield, Wisc.-based Kowalske Kitchen & Bath saw lots of room for improvement.
Her clients had a straightforward list of requests:
- A more bright and airy space where they could entertain and cook together.
- More functional storage.
- Additional seating in the kitchen for guests
Working within the 18-foot x 22-foot room’s existing footprint minimized the challenges in this project, and allowed the designer to focus on solutions tailored to the homeowners’ preferences.
A light color scheme set the tone. “The clients fell in love with the natural look of quartzite and that was our starting point for the entire design,” said Boldea. She chose a natural color palette for a timeless appearance.
“The client didn’t like the cooktop being on the island, so we opted for a range, and we made it a focal point by locating it on the angled wall,” said Boldea. “The refrigerator was placed on the other side of the island to create a more functional work triangle.”
Storage in the reworked kitchen is diverse and focused. A walk-in pantry is located just steps away from the countertop prep area. Behind a metal door with frosted glass panes, it has a countertop for small appliances and open shelves for storing food items. In the cabinetry, shifting the balance from cupboards to drawers boosted accessibility and convenience.
Fulfilling the final item on the clients’ checklist, Boldea appended an intimate dining table to the island and added a built-in bench on an outside wall, more than doubling the kitchen’s seating capacity.
Sources
Design: Monica Boldea, Kowalske Kitchen & Bath; Photography: Kyleen DzPloch Photography; Cabinets: MKE Cabinetry; Cabinet Hardware: Belwith Keeler; Cabinet Inserts: Hardware Resources; Countertops: Quartzite & John Boos & Co.; Backsplash: Quartzite; Dishwasher: Cove; Faucets: Kraus; Lighting: Rejuvenation (pendants), Shades of Light (chandelier), Visual Comfort (sconces); Microwave, Range, Warming Drawer: Wolf; Paint: Sherwin Williams; Refrigerator: Sub-Zero; Sinks: Create Good Sinks; Vent Hood: Viking; Table Top: Spiritcraft Furniture; Pantry Door: Rustica
