Wedgewood Classic Style

Our first task was to convince our clients that their so-called “prima donna list” of goals was actually a useful and practical set of desired outcomes for their new kitchen. Then we took our usual look at the overall space, introduced the notion of capturing the nook space into the kitchen footprint, and floated the idea that built-in casual seating at the eating nook could deliver more functionality to that space, not less. We recognized that “defining” invisible boundaries at the amorphous great room space would establish that elusive sense of intelligent flow. Redesigning the kitchen and family room ceiling to morph a solitary structural beam into a thoughtfully conceived coffered design united the spaces visually and made the kitchen expansion more coherent. We added a “floating wall” that anchors the family room into a separate cozy space while defining a generous walkway from garage to kitchen – a walkway designed to showcase art, give more privacy to the powder room just right there, and hold space for a pretty freestanding shelved storage cabinet that matches the new kitchen design. A “useless pantry” was subdivided to allow for built-in tall storage and wall oven cabinets at the kitchen, with access to the more manageable depth pantry shelves via a new door off the walkway. The new kitchen is designed with multiple work stations including a wine decanting area near the formal dining room, and a dedicated place for coffee makers and accoutrements hidden in a steel tambour unit near the main sink. Two or more cooks can work easily in this kitchen at separate task centers, socializing with family and friends gathered nearby at island seating or the new built-in eating nook. Updates at adjacent family room and dining room tie it all together.