When I wrote this blog, most of the country and much of the world was sheltering at home, attempting to flatten the curve of infection caused by the novel coronavirus. After COVID-19, the world will be a different place. Let’s make sure it’s a better one. Speaking of changes, some things are better left in the past, and the finishes in this ’80s-era kitchen were no exception.
As I drove to the home of Hans and Sylvia, in Punta Gorda Isles, I couldn’t help but admire the attractive city. Unlike cookie-cutter communities all the homes in PGI were custom built. Every house is different—that is part of this community’s charm. There were lots of big trees with lush, mature foliage lined up and down the streets.
When my clients bought the house in 1996, they knew they would eventually have to renovate. The house came with a 1980s galley kitchen complete with a dropped ceiling, fluorescent box lights, an awkward angled peninsula, and white melamine cabinets with faux oak trim and handles. They knew their kitchen was certainly not the worse kitchen, so they decided to live with it. As the years went by, they talked about renovating the kitchen, but the task and price tag seemed overwhelming. On the other hand, they knew if they needed to sell the house, they would take a hit. After all, kitchens and bathrooms still sell homes. The last thing they wanted to do was to renovate at the finish line, for someone else’s enjoyment. But it was functional enough for them to live with the kitchen for 20 years before they decided to take the plunge to renovate.
The first time I saw the existing kitchen I was surprised to see the poor overhead lighting and soffit that covered the entire kitchen ceiling. All the workspaces in this kitchen were scarcely illuminated. My clients wanted to remove the soffit and have new taller cabinets that went to the ceiling. They wanted to move the refrigerator from the left of the stove to the right. They wanted the new layout to form an L-shape by adding a corner lazy Susan and wide cabinets on an empty wall. They desired a corner appliance garage and asked me to double the size of the existing island. Hans and Sylvia wanted their new kitchen to look neutral and contemporary. Last but not least, they both wanted to keep their self-rimmed composite sink.
When I tried to respect my clients’ wish to relocate the refrigerator in the position they wanted, I soon discovered the angled wall would create a problem for the appliance. So, I moved the refrigerator to the opposite wall when I designed the new layout. Ultimately, we used the problematic angled wall for built-in custom shelves. It turned out to be one of Sylvia’s favorite things in her new kitchen. I suggested not only getting rid of the hanging wall cabinets over the peninsula, but straightening the peninsula, as well. I also recommended they add cabinetry in the breakfast nook to provide the storage they desperately needed. And by adding glass it would create the look of a buffet.
Cabinets often command the lion’s share of a kitchen design’s budget, so it made sense for my clients to choose a color and style that would stand the test of time. They selected a mitered flat panel door style using natural Maple. We used the color Buckingham from Cambria for the countertops. It is named for the London palace that’s home to the British Monarchy. Buckingham is rich and versatile, with just enough unexpected interest. Soft neutral grays, creams, and golds swirl together in harmony to create a stunning countertop surface throughout the kitchen and breakfast nook.
I’ve been crafting beautiful, elegant, and tasteful designs for almost two decades. However, I have to praise the professional installers from Just Counters & Other Stuff who did a fantastic job and were very professional, as well. They were efficient and paid close attention to the details.
I love a great “Before and After” of a kitchen—especially when it allows us to see how far it has come. The end result of this kitchen renovation not only provides great function, it encourages all who enter to spend time there. This kitchen now boasts a timeless design.
Stay safe and well everyone. Have a great week.
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