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Before & After: Outdated Minnesota Kitchen Gets a Facelift

Leslie Clagett — 2010-02-05T12:49:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home, Design, etc, House Tours

What wasn't working about this kitchen? Just about everything.

* Editor's Note: Due to overwhelming feedback from our readers, we want to point out that our writer refers to the house as 1930s-era (not the kitchen). It is unclear when the kitchen was last updated.

Happy to have found a solid, 1930s-era home in a Minneapolis suburb, the couple realized that to better serve the household of four, some updating of the kitchen was in order. Before moving into their new home, they called on the talented designers at The Woodshop of Avon to transform the space into a more contemporary, family-friendly environment.

While the old kitchen certainly had its share of cosmetic issues -- dilapidated laminate counters, a tired linoleum floor and cabinets dating from the dark ages -- its real problem was the space-squandering floor plan. An entire exterior wall was occupied by a built-in desk. The refrigerator was pushed up against the counter, protruding into the room and cutting off valuable work surfaces as well as storage. And just look at that radiator! Talk about eyesore.

THE BEFORE

WHAT'S NOT WORKING

1. Tons of Wasted Space
An inefficient floor plan robbed the kitchen of valuable storage and work space. The entrance to the kitchen was awkward, with a peninsula blocking access.

2. Hardly Helpful
Not only didn't the appliances live up to the performance needs of the homeowners, but they were positioned poorly in the room.

3. Eyesore, not Eyecatching
The palette of materials and colors was dowdy and outdated. The cabinet style -- arched-top, raised-panel overlay doors -- was archaic, too

The team at The Woodshop of Avon created a design solution that surpassed the homeowners' expectations. Read on to see the spectacular results.

The new kitchen is substantially larger and more open than the old one, and yet no square footage was added to the house. Tearing down the wall that separated the kitchen from the family room boosted the overall area of the kitchen, as did eliminating the desk and its flanking bookshelves. Removing the peninsula was the last step in freeing up the center of the room, and liberated the circulation pattern.

THE AFTER

Photo: Woodshop of Avon

Having cleaned up the boundaries of the room, it was time to rethink the placement of the appliances. When ripping out the desk, the plumbing for the original sink was discovered. In the remodeled kitchen, the sink -- now a timeless farm-style model -- is restored to its 1930s location below the window. A 48-inch range anchors another wall in the kitchen, with a family-sized refrigerator on an adjacent wall.

Photo: Woodshop of Avon

The renovated kitchen is spacious enough to accommodate an island, which marks the transition from kitchen to family room without acting as a barrier. The island is used for casual dining, storage and cooking prep tasks.

A new palette of finishes completes the updated room. Classic white-painted cabinets, in a mix of glass-front and solid-door designs, contrast with jet black stone counter-tops. A wood floor adds warmth.

WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THIS RENOVATION

1. Use It or Lose It
If you're not using the space in and around the kitchen in a way that fits your lifestyle, consider going beyond the borders of the room. Be bold - imagine removing or repositioning walls to reclaim the room you need.

2. Simple is Good
While it can be tempting to load up an island with an extra sink or appliances, in many cases that would be overkill -- not to mention costly. An island that offers just storage, work surface and knee-room to pull up a stool is invaluable in any space.

3. The Importance of Illumination
For any kitchen to function at its best, a thoughtful lighting scheme that includes natural light, task light and ambient light is essential. A solid lighting design will be an asset to the room over several remodels.

4. Remodeling = Archeology
Breaking into an older house's walls, floors or ceilings is bound is yield some surprises -- and not all of them will be happy ones. It's wise to allot about 15% of your project budget to correct some of the hidden problems you'll likely encounter during construction.

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Space-Saving Bathroom Sinks

Leslie Clagett — 2010-02-05T10:11:00 00:00

Filed under: Decorating, Solutions, Shopping, Your Home, Bathroom

12 pedestal sinks that will give you more space in your bathroom.

The Archer sink by Kohler (left) has clean, tailored lines but a traditional form, making it good for transitional decor, $360. Philippe Starck's sleek sink by Duravit (right) combines simple geometrical forms in this striking sink from the Starck X collection. Photo: Kohler, Duravit

In a powder room or half-bath, where the close quarters often preclude installing a full-size vanity, a pedestal sink can save the day -- and make a style statement. Their slim silhouettes are more proportional to a small space and won't over-crowd the room, either physically or visually.

If you feel you're going to miss the storage capacity of a vanity cupboard and its attendant counter surface, look for pedestals that have broad "shoulders" that can keep necessities conveniently sink-side. Ask, too, if an integral towel bar is available; it will spare your room the added clutter of wall-mounted towel racks or rings.

Installing a pedestal sink can be tricky, as it requires careful alignment of connections and leveling the base. Unless you're confident and precise and patient with a tape measure, drill and basin wrench, it's best to have a pro handle the job.

A roundup of 10 more perfect pedestals below.

Mixing materials makes for lively look, like the Toto sink (left, made by Bissonnet) -- its base is stainless steel, its bowl ceramic. Intricately carved surfaces can pose a problem to clean; the smooth pedestal of the Calla II sink by Porcher is easy to wipe down, $495-$645 (depending on color). Photo: Bissonnet, Porcher

The shallow basin of the PuraVida sink by Duravit (left) gives the piece a sculptural subtlety. The squared-off forms of the Reve sink (right) make a bold impression. Photo: Duravit, Kohler

A small backsplash on the Charles sink by Herbeau (left) will protect walls against stray water sprays, $1,976. Hand-painted sinks, like this Waterlilies design (right), need to be treated with care; cleaning should be done with soap and water to avoid damaging the design (Model #222), $5,065. Photo: Herbeau, Sherle Wagner

Designed by Ross Lovegrove, the Freedom pedestal sink by Vitra (left) has a distinctly futurist flair. Sporting a broad, flat band all around the basin, the Parisian sink (right) offers more surface area than most pedestal models, $2,115-$2,645 (depending on color and finish). Photo: Vitra, St. Thomas Creations

A statement sink if there ever was one, the Egg & Dart (right) is hand-carved marble (Model #294), $20,802. The Reminiscence sink (right), with its curvaceous pedestal and rim design, would be a good fit in a girl's powder room, $546-$762 (depending on color and finish), Photo: Sherle Wagner, American Standard

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Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

Leslie Clagett — 2009-12-04T16:07:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

The control button on this Axor Citterio pull-down faucet is large and prominently positioned on the front of the spray head, making it a breeze to use. Photo: Hansgrohe

A new faucet can perk up the look - and the performance - of your kitchen with relatively little fuss. Before you start browsing in earnest, consider a few key points; knowing your needs will help you sort through the dozens of models you'll find in plumbing showrooms and home centers.

1. FACTS AND FEATURES
Measuring up. If you have an extra-wide sink or one with multiple bowls, make sure the spout is long enough - at least 12 to 14 inches - to extend well into the basins. High-arc or gooseneck designs accommodate tall items like pots, pitchers and vases best.

Handles with care. In the kitchen, knob-style handles aren't very practical because it's difficult to grip them when your hands are greasy or soapy. Both single-levers and blade-handled controls, though, can be operated with the flick of a wrist. New to the residential market are handle-less faucets that are turned on and off by virtue of a light tap anywhere on the spout.

Spray time. Sprayers - invaluable for rinsing delicate salad greens and other veggies - can be stand-alone accessories or an integrated feature in pull-out faucets. With the latter, check how easily and securely the spray head "docks" with the body of the faucet. Some models have a magnetic closure that facilitates a snug coupling. Also, make sure you're comfortable with the position of the sprayer button. Try it out using your natural grasping movement to ensure there's no awkward fingering required.

All in the family. If there's more than one sink in your kitchen, make sure you select a main faucet that's also available in a prep or bar-sink size. Otherwise, you'll end up with a mismatched design.

Inner workings. There's more to faucets than just shiny good looks. Ceramic disks are the most durable and reliable of the different valve assemblies.

2. WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Prices for a basic, name-brand faucet begin around $150. At that point, you're likely looking at a deck-mounted, low-arc model in either a polished or brushed chrome finish. Two knob-style handles are the norm, but some single lever-handles can be found. Style-wise, transitional looks dominate.

Options increase in the $250-$500 range. Pull-out designs that toggle between a spray and a stream are plentiful (check that the hose is stainless steel), and finishes become more fashion-conscious; look for oil-rubbed bronze and nickel colors. Special coatings that protect the finish from scratches, spotting and discoloration are widely offered. Side-sprays and soap or lotion dispensers are popular accessories.

Above $500, high-arc spouts are the rule, and lines are crisply contemporary or ornately detailed; some faucets may even be hand-polished. Premium faucets can be crafted of solid stainless steel. Technological extras - such as built-in water filters or hands-free operation - are found in this category.

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Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

The long, flexible neck of this restaurant-style faucet directs water to the furthest corner of the largest sink. Photo: MGS

Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

Many faucets, like the 90 Degree model shown, can toggle between a fine spray and a full stream setting. Photo: Moen

Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

The Disko model combines contemporary styling with a classic bridge-faucet form. Photo: KWC

Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

When shopping for a pull-out faucet, look for one that fits your hand as well as your sink. The bell shape of the Ladylux 3 has a good "feel". Photo: Grohe

Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

The eye-catching Karbon faucet flexes at several joints. It's also available in a deck-mounted version. Photo: Kohler

Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

Doing dishes in the dark? An LED light illuminates the water stream of the Eve faucet. Photo: KWC

Kitchen Faucets: Go with the Flow

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Refrigerators: The Cold Truth

Leslie Clagett — 2009-10-29T14:50:00 00:00

Filed under: Shopping, Kitchen, Your Home

Our small household is well served by this compact Jenn-Air refrigerator. Photo: John Gould Bessler

In our home, there are two refrigerators. There's a 22-cubic-foot freezer/cooler combo in the basement, which is used for bulk storage. In the kitchen, I happily use a 6-cubic-foot undercounter fridge as the everyday appliance; encased in a custom cabinet, it doubles as an island.
How, you may ask, does such an admittedly compact model work for us? Well, there are only two people in our household, and I use fresh ingredients for cooking. It's an unconventional arrangement, but for us, it functions flawlessly.

This goes to the point that with refrigerators, one size doesn't necessarily fit all. If you think of your fridge as just an appliance that fits into a gaping hole in a bank of cabinets, you're overlooking how this critical piece of equipment can truly make life easier. Analyze your household profile and how you cook, shop and entertain. A family with several kids still in the chicken-fingers-and-juice-box stage has different needs than one where gourmet cooking is a couples sport, or an empty-nester who likes to throw wine-tasting parties.

From point-of-use cooler drawers to drink-dispensing models just right for the game room to family workhorses, you'll find each of the following refrigerators has its own appeal.

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Refrigerators the Cold Truth

Drawer-style refrigerators can be located outside the main traffic pattern of the kitchen, wherever fresh ingredients are needed.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

Generally, bottom-mount freezers have a greater capacity than side-by-side configurations - good for families who buy convenience foods in bulk.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

A slim 24 inches wide and totally flush with the surrounding cabinets, this column refrigerator is an inconspicuous element in the kitchen.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

Limited space but unlimited tastes? This three-door unit combines cooler, freezer and wine storage in one appliance.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

A through-the-door drink dispenser is essential in a home with children.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

Filling the dispensing reservoir with your own beverage makes this fridge fun.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

Where adequate clearance for a full-width door swing is a problem, an armoire-style refrigerator is the solution. The design stores all fresh food at waist level, with frozen items in the drawer below.

Refrigerators the Cold Truth

Would you like to send your own kitchen - or bathroom - to our design clinic? Email us at mykitchenclinic@aol.com with a photo and tell us your kitchen challenge.

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Kitchen Clinic: Tough Challenges Solved. Layout Dilemmas

Leslie Clagett — 2009-10-22T08:22:00 00:00

Filed under: Kitchen, Your Home

Welcome to the first Kitchen Clinic at ShelterPop! In this column, I'll offer straightforward suggestions on how to make outdated or poorly planned kitchens look and perform better. Let's get started!

In this sad space, it's apparent that little or no thought was given to creating even a minimally functional kitchen. There's no variety in the type of cabinets used in the room - they're all hinged cupboards and all the same size. The appliances are crowded together on one wall, ignoring the potential of a reasonably large space.

Unimaginative, underutilized, unattractive: This kitchen needs help! Photo: yewtreehouse Flickr

My Kitchen Clinic prescription:

This kitchen is big enough to comfortably have an island - a real game-changer in terms of the floor plan. A cooktop, microwave or sink could be located on the island, freeing up lots of counter space around the perimeter of the room.
Abandon the all-in-a-row appliance layout. It virtually guarantees collisions between the cook and any other people in the kitchen.
In this kitchen's current state, the issue of underutilized corner cabinets has been resolved, albeit by ignoring them altogether! Shelving inserts (sometimes called "magic corners") that put dead space to work will open up new vistas in storage.
Speaking of cabinets...in base cabinets, deep drawers are the way to go, rather than cupboards. They're far more accessible from both ergonomic and convenience vantage points.

Would you like to send your own kitchen - or bathroom - to our design clinic? Email us at mykitchenclinic@aol.com with a photo and tell us your kitchen challenge.

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