Smart & Spacious
Design: KATHY DEMEYER
Construction: ENCORE CONSTRUCTION
Text: RACHEL ARROYO
photography: PATRICK WISEMAN
When this couple bought a 20-year-old ranch in Brewster in 2005 for their retirement, the home met all of their basic requirements—except for the kitchen. The small, dark space was not conducive to entertaining guests or accommodating more than one chef at a time.
“I have always loved to cook,” confesses Carol. “This is the focus of our life.” Knowing what they wanted helped the couple seek out the right design team. Kathy Demeyer, head designer for Encore Construction in Dennisport, worked closely with the homeowners for three months to create a convenient and inviting kitchen space that was all their own.
The size of the kitchen was the biggest concern. “There was no way out,” says Carol. “It was claustrophobic.” The cramped space of 10 by 10 feet sat at the front of the house, with only one way in or out. Demeyer somehow had to find a way to open up the space.
Originally, the homeowners just wanted to take down the small archway between the kitchen and the dining room, but Demeyer suggested a much bolder solution: Not only should they take down the archway, but they should also push the front-facing wall outward, which would eliminate the farmer’s porch, and then move the side wall between the kitchen and the living room a couple of feet outward to make the kitchen wider and the main entryway narrower. Demeyer explains, “We just felt more space could be added by taking space from the porch and entryway, and it doesn’t compromise living space.”
The result is 12 by 14 feet of open space—enough room to accommodate a couple of working chefs, as well as a small audience. “Being able to give them more space made a huge difference,” Demeyer says, “and the opened-up dining area allows them to give feedback from the dining room.” Now, when the couple hosts get-togethers, they are able to communicate with their guests while they cook.
The added space created a more comfortable and convenient cooking area, but another problem remained: The house had been constructed with no inside entrance between the kitchen and the garage. In all kinds of weather, the homeowners would be forced to walk outside to reach the garage—and the basement. The only way to reach the basement is through the garage.
The owners knew they wanted an indoor entrance to the garage and basement. But where to put it? To avert breaking up traffic flow in the kitchen, Encore recommended a garage entrance in the southwest corner of the kitchen, leaving the work triangle intact. Now the homeowners don’t have to don foul-weather gear to retrieve something from the garage or basement.
One of the original features of the kitchen Carol liked best was the front window. “I like that the kitchen window faces out to the front yard,” she says. But one double-hung window in combination with one hanging lamp was insufficient to light the dark space. So Encore installed two double-hung windows and a skylight, at the homeowners’ request. Now Carol has twice the view and a lot more natural lighting.
The amount of artificial lighting was amplified by adding five recessed ceiling-light fixtures and 12 feet of under-cabinet lighting. The under-cabinet lighting has a light-block valance for a finished look and a separate switch that is great for setting a mood.
The horseshoe layout of the kitchen was carefully considered in the remodel. Between every major kitchen appliance Demeyer created what she calls “landing space.” The side-by-side GE refrigerator is next to the GE Spacemaker microwave for quick-cooking convenience. The sink, which is the same model the owners had in their New Jersey kitchen, sits underneath the two windows for the view. The cooktop is flanked by counter space on either side, while the double oven Carol always wanted is next to the thoughtfully designed kitchen island.
The kitchen island serves the triple function of adding extra seating, counter and storage space. The island was designed specifically to meet the homeowners’ needs. “I wanted some sort of a bookcase and drawers, not cabinets,” Carol says. All of the drawers, including those on the kitchen island, are outfitted with Blumotion glides, which allow them to close smoothly and gently every time. Like the rest of the kitchen countertop space, the island countertop is made of mahogany-colored Silestone, a low-maintenance material made of natural quartz with a polymer added.
Every element in the kitchen was carefully planned right down to the tile on the floor. With Demeyer’s help, the homeowners chose ceramic Ceratec 12- by 12-inch Elios Ego floor tiles. The backsplash is a 4- by 4-inch version of the floor tile, but with Aromi decorative tiles as accents. The neutral color of the tile produces a clean and simple background, while the decorative tiles exude individuality and warmth.
The homeowners say the cabinets are their favorite aspect of the new kitchen. Made by Plato Woodwork Incorporated, the maple cabinets have a butternut stain and a brown glaze to add richness and depth. The Colonnade-style doors and drawers are replete with two-piece crown molding that carries the step-pattern design right up to the ceiling for a finished look.
Three months of hard work and careful planning have produced a kitchen that is the perfect fit for these homeowners. Whether it is used for entertaining or late-night baking, the remodeled kitchen proves convenience is worth planning.
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