Homeowner Objectives
The client wished to expand the kitchen to include the enclosed porch housing the washer and dryer and to remodel the kitchen to maintain a feeling that parts of it were original to the house. The intent was to maintain a small dining area within the kitchen and gain some daylight and extra space by opening up the wall to the porch. Another practical intent was to gain more usable work surface because the original kitchen was restricted to a corner work area between the stove and sink with the refrigerator across the room.

Challenges and Relationship
with Existing Home
The original porch was enclosed with glass and half wall but not properly insulated. To open up the porch to the kitchen, the porch floor required rebuilding to be flush with the kitchen floor. This was complicated by the fact that the wall being demolished was an original exterior wall with moisture problems from the existing sink. To accommodate installation of the new tile floor, the entire floor was leveled, parts were rebuilt and extra joists added for stability. The exterior wall of the porch was rebuilt while the original roof was supported and water damage to the foundation repaired.

Scope and Design Concept
The design solution uses one wall to contain the refrigerator, a stacked front loading washer/dryer and a small cabinet area. Opening up the wall to the porch accommodates a built-in bench and table for the dining area and frees up floor space for an island. The island and opposite wall provide a parallel work area for food prep, dish washing and cooking. To maintain the character of the circa 1920s house, the area under the existing window houses 8-10” deep cabinets concealed as a wainscot that ties into the bench seat. All millwork is painted to match the trim and wainscot front of the island. The new cabinets, with a dark chocolate finish on walnut, blend with the home’s furnishings to give a cohesive appearance.

Results
The new design gives a tailored look to the kitchen, which extends the overall feel of the home. The new built-ins maintain the character of the original cottage style home and the tile floor adds a clean timeless element to the kitchen.