Tiny Kitchen, Big Changes
When a burst hot water pipe caused major damage in her tiny kitchen, my client was concerned about how she could work within a budget and rebuild with some better functionality.
After assessing the damage we concurred that the upper wall cabinets had absorbed the brunt of the water’s impact so a decision was made to reuse the base cabinets for cost savings. By pairing them with taller, painted finish upper cabinets to the ceiling we created contrast as well as added much needed storage space. Textured glass doors add lightness and depth and create a rhythm with the new glass and natural stone backsplash. Working with my granite supplier (H&S Stone-Toms River, NJ) we were able to save money by finding a remnant piece for our countertop that pulled it all together. Stainless steel in the form of new appliances, sink and faucet updates the space and blends well with the other natural elements. Adding the black borders to the lower cabinets and the wood crown moldings visually relates all of the cabinetry.
Our splurge in the budget occurred with the custom made cabinets surrounding the new counter depth, armoire door refrigerator. A cut out in the wall behind the refrigerator allowed us to recess it enough to be able to maximize our storage potential. Using a wall mount pot rack in black iron saved us valuable cabinet space. Recessed and clean contemporary styled lighting fixtures were chosen for function and design impact and custom window shades in an ombre effect from Designers Resource in Lodi, NJ provide privacy as well as interest and a cork floor cushions underfoot. Walls are softened by a neutral tan color which helps to create depth in this small room.
When faced with the challenge of a small kitchen the rule of “form follows function” is extremely important. By carefully planning, prioritizing spend and choosing colors and finishes to maximize impact we made a plumbing catastrophe into an opportunity to improve functionality. This small kitchen is now big on style and impact!