Family Kitchen in South Orange, NJ

KITCHEN PROBLEM

The kitchen was divided in half with appliances and cabinets cramped at one end and a large dining table at the other. The range in the peninsula had a downdraft exhaust system which the clients didn’t like. The biggest challenge was determining how to manage the two structural ceiling beams as there was no budget to remove or raise them.

KITCHEN SOLUTION

The improved solution was to plan for separate zones around the perimeter of the room: cooking, cleaning, beverage center with wine refrigerator, wall oven and microwave, mini mud area and dining. The new space is now open and flowing. Cabinets were planned with the beams in mind: two custom open-shelf units were fitted around and under both ends of one of the beams.

The Shaker style cabinets are the neutral background to a calm and modern color palette. The muted brown/grey wide plank wood-look porcelain floor tiles are durable and practical: easily cleaned and provide camouflage for spills. The engineered stone countertops are a warm marble look. The primary decorative interest in this kitchen is courtesy of the environmentally friendly cement tile backsplash – four 8x8 tiles together form the complete pattern. The taupe colored farm sink coordinates well with the floor and backsplash. The turquoise dining chairs provide a pop of color around the glass dining table handed down from the client's parents.