When working with an old house, every designer knows that unexpected challenges are a given. For creating a kitchen for a Show house, these challenges are compounded by the need to remain true to the character of the house and still serve the customer.
This was the task that Joshua Cain, director of interior design for Saxony Design Build in Los Angeles, CA, faced when working in Pasadena Showcase House last year. The colonial-style house in Monterrey was a gem in turn-of-the-century was crying out for an update. The kitchen of the home was a case in point.
"Since this house was built in the late 20th century," Cain notes, "which was designed by how the kitchens were used back then - not now."
The Family Way
According to Cain, the space that eventually became the new kitchen was originally five smaller rooms that were used for the service and staff. "I took everything -... Walls, doors, floors, ceilings started fresh with a clean slate The only limitations I had were the existing windows, I was not willing to move as it could have altered the historic facade of the house" The global space ended up being about 1,100 square feet.
With that kind of room, Cain could actually create what is needed for this busy family of seven to one couple and their five children. "They actually used each space in this 12,000 sq-ft. House, and a small kitchen, outdated simply cannot work for many people considering the lifestyle of today," Cain offers.
Satisfy Wish list
The family and their needs were truly top of mind when creating the design of this expanded kitchen. "They wanted a space where they could enter the house, sitting in the kitchen has room for several cooks and host parties and entertain," says Cain. "The kitchen is multifaceted lifestyle for customers."
Between the wish list of the items was an area that functions as a baking center when homeowner wants to bake cookies with two girls. Cain mixer lift installed on the second island, so it is easily accessible even folds up when not in use. And the island pewter lid provides an area for lying.
The family also hosts catered events, and a staff of six needs to use the kitchen. To accommodate this, extra wide walkways and multiple locations for preparation and cleanliness were incorporated into the design.
"And the husband wanted his own space with its own sink where he could wash dishes," says the designer. Cain incorporates a space to fulfill this desire.
Classic options
by choosing the elements for design, Cain followed the design of the house. "A classic look of colonial California Monterey was exactly what I was going for here," he stresses.
"Whenever you design the architecture of the house or in space. That's my number one sign to my design inspiration," he explains. "I love it when a project flows from the inside out and everything works well together."
To get the look I wanted, Cain incorporates a number of custom pieces.
Expression classic wood cabinets have a lot of chips turn-of-the-century joinery details along with additional traditional pulls Baldwin Hardware. Perimeter cabinets are topped with Silestone by Cosentino countertops white quartz. "So, I wanted white look without the maintenance of marble," says the designer.
On both islands, granite Francois & Co. pewter provide a classic look with detailed edges along the lines of the cabinets. The island has six stools back for the kids and the husband.
"Since the family tends to gather in this space, ample seating was necessary," says Cain. In addition to the island, there is a corner that has a comfortable sofa and chairs with a table that extends and will seat up to eight. "They use this space for family meals because the actual dining room is huge," she continues. The painting above the sofa reveals a great TV that can be seen from the kitchen.
In the range of the wolf, a bell limestone Francois & Co. helps anchor the space. The characteristics of the posterior wall of range "concrete tiles in a typical design found in these houses - albeit on the ground" reports of Cain. "And the walls got a lot of tiles - Metro style classic the overall look was inspired in the kitchen at Vanderbilt in North Carolina.".
The space also features a number of appliances Sub-Zero and Wolf and Rohl plumbing fixtures classically influenced.
Completing the space is a limestone and marble floor House in checkerboard pattern in black and white classic. Historic Hudson Valley Lighting Reproduction Lighting is offered in all rooms in a range of vintage inspired designs. "The lighting was key to making the space feel good," Cain stresses.
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