2010 Regional Award Winner

PROBLEM:
After 4 years occupancy, the owners of this Fairfax Station (VA) circa 2000 center hall Colonial had gradually identified a series of problems with both the functionality and aesthetics of the existing 21’ x 23’ kitchen as follows:
existing floorplan is poorly rationalized and incohesive relative to appliance placements, work triangle requirements and even the stove itself, an electric-powered cooktop range inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking needs;
an adjacent mudroom—separated from the kitchen by a bearing wall– has proven to have no functional value;
a vertical cook top island with seating for three fails to meet multi-directional work triangle needs (and seating requirements)
floor space has been allocated to redundant furnishings (such as a built-in desk near the staircase) that the family never uses;
a 6’ x 9’ kitchen pantry also unnecessarily absorbs floor space that can be put to better use via an alternative interior design that increases in-kitchen storage;
egress between kitchen and dining room is too narrow; a railing between the kitchen and the family is an obstruction to traffic: owner seeks greater visual continuum via a more open floor plan;
Owner is seeking convenient places for high-end appliances such as wine cooler and steam cooker; plan needs to accommodate larger refrigerator, 2nd dishwasher;
Overall, the interior is dated: Dutch cabinetry, floral wallpaper; faux Victorian chandelier
Overall, owner is seeking replace worn out-of-style kitchen with substantially upgraded “open” facility that combines traditional and contemporary features configured to support multiple social and culinary needs.
SOLUTIONS:
The challenge is to implement a series of focused “strategic” revisions within the existing footprint that will support new use requirements. These include:
remove obstructive bearing wall between kitchen and mudroom integrating space into kitchen as recessed niche for 48” gas range with custom hood; shift loads to hidden steel structural supports as needed.
design L-shaped granite-surfaced island with bar sink, icemaker, mini drawer refrigerator and seating for six;
design and install new cabinetry system with 40% increase storage
replace desk/ Dutch cabinet elevation with console that includes a new location for 48” 2-drawer refrigerator/ freezer; butler’s pantry
route gas lines to location for a new gas range, plumbing to new bar sink
develop station for Miele steamer
Interior finish work includes:
softly accented wall paints in lieu of wallpaper
decorative ceramic tile backsplashes;
granite surfaces
antiqued soft opaque cabinet facings; wood-panel for refrigerator door; glass-facing display cabinets for china, collectibles
custom mantle cook top hood
many finely articulated interior design details including flutes, mouldings corbils.
recessed lights; 6 hanging pendant lights; under-cabinet halogen lighting