Storage and Functionality

 Top Two Things You Need In Your Kitchen.

     When it comes to kitchens, let’s face it, they can be the reason you keep the house, sell the house or buy the house. Sorry, guys, it doesn’t matter how fancy that game room or media room is, nor that there’s a jetted tub and loads of outlets for your video and audio equipment or that your dream workshop is out back on the property with full electrical and temperature control just sitting there, ready and waiting for you to buy it. If that kitchen isn’t up to par with enough storage or functionality for the lady of the house , you can say goodbye to it or say hello to a kitchen renovation. Women rule the roost and dictate what’s going to happen with the house because of the kitchen. The truth is, if you value her cooking, chances are she’s going to stop making those special meals you look forward to because she’s either running a marathon to make you dinner or she doesn’t have enough storage to house everything she needs to enjoy the kitchen.

    You’ve probably been through this scenario: You’re looking to buy a house, for weeks – maybe months – and you finally found it. You’re thinking, Oh, yeah! This is it!  This house meets just about every criteria on your carefully crafted list. And then you move in… only to realize that you don’t have enough storage for all of your baking equipment, spices, dry goods and pots & pans. Not only that, it has zero functionality. Awkward cabinet sizes that don’t make the best use of space. The refrigerator is directly opposite the cook-top with little space between them. Every time you try to cook and someone needs access to the fridge, you are forced to move out of the way. There’s literally not enough counter-top space; couple that with an island that serves no real purpose except to hold the cook-top and store the downdraft system in the cabinetry below and that’s a recipe for selling, no purchase offers, or a much-needed renovation. Guess what? This is a real scenario! You can read about it and see the original kitchen HERE.

    If you’ve been keeping up, you noticed the refrigerator placement, the cook-top, ovens, how much counter space there was, and how little cabinetry there was. The kitchen does not have adequate storage nor functionality. The scenario was as real as it gets when its time for a renovation.  If you need to look again, go; I’ll wait.

    What did we do to solve the lack of storage and functionality? We moved things around, created more storage,  and designed an island that had a significant purpose which included adding a built-in eating area with storage below while extending the kitchen to make it much bigger than it was when we first discussed the homeowner’s needs.

 

Here’s the Why, What, and Where to the New Layout.

  The Cook-top was moved out of the island and backed up to the wall. The refrigerator was moved to where the double ovens originally were. The ovens were moved to a safer location : away from an access corner where unsuspecting residents or guests could accidentally walk into a hot, open oven door.

 

 

The microwave was moved to the island, closer to – but not directly opposite to – the refrigerator.

Cabinets were designed as ceiling height for added storage.

 

 

 

The family required an eating area. We added more storage as the base of the counter-height bar that seats this family of four.

 

 

Additional drawer space and wall cabinet height with an extended island solved the storage issues.

The functionality of the kitchen was improved with the new placement of the appliances.

 

 

 

This kitchen was designed by Carolina Moncion Design, LLC, in a realistic rendering format to show our client what her dream kitchen would look like before the renovation process was started. Our client was able to see it before it was built, ask questions regarding choices, layout, storage and functionality as well as acquire precise pricing for the project. The renders were used to inspire lighting selections, tile layout, and design details on-site and throughout the process. The blueprints were used by the remodeling crew, the custom cabinet maker and the counter-top fabricators where the bulk of the cost in a remodel is reserved.

 

 

Our client approved the project! Next step is final selections for materials and Demolition!

 

If you would like to discuss your possible kitchen remodel or realistic design including blueprints, please use the attached contact form below to get in touch.  Kitchen Design rates are contingent upon room size. Renovation labor and material costs include permits, and start at $55,000 + with pricing contingent upon your final selections and kitchen size.