The Hardest-Working Room in the House

What's the hardest working room in the house? The Kitchen, of course!

Make it an "eat in" kitchen or use it as the everyday entry, and then the room is forced to do even more.

Newly Renovated Kitchen

This project is a kitchen renovation in an older home. No new square footage was added. Some windows and walls/doorways were moved and some remained exactly as they were. In the 'before' photos you can see this room was built onto the back of the origonal two story; it jutts into the back yard with windows on three sides. The arrangment of 6 windows toward the back/east are this village home's most private view since the side windows look at close-by neighbors. The back is where a table for eating or gathering is located. Having the table looking out the windows to the back yard was something my clients wanted to retain.

The side door from the driveway is the main family entry and comes directly into this room, so in addition to the east-facing eating area, a portion of the space needed to function as a "mud room" with coat hooks and a place for shoes and bags. But design constraints like these can actually help us create a new layout plan!

After - view toward back door

Of course besides the entry and the table area, we need a functioning kitchen for a family! Before our renovation, there was a large old sink, a range, and some open shelving- not much cabinetry or countertop. There was a woodstove and brick chimney in the middle of the room, and a separate 'Pantry' room that provided most of the food storage, including space for the refrigerator. While it did have rustic charm, it was overdue for an update, some real flooring, durable, cleanable work surfaces, and well-thoughtout workspace where one could cook.

Slight window change

Entry Side- Before

In terms of the structure, there were skinny looking rafter ties across the ceiling space that we removed, adding a ridge beam and a new ceiling shape. A wood board finish was added remenicient of the former ceiling. In terms of the way this room connected to the rest of the house, I moved the passageway to the family room over about 20" to allow for a more useful kitchen cabinet/counter top layout and to help align interior views with windows to the back yard. The tall cabintry next the the new refrigerator location fills that wall for abundant storage. (the window moved closer to the door to accomodate this)

Renovated Kitchen looking toward Family Room

In terms of mechanicals: yes, the wood stove is gone. (and that historic cast iron sink was replaced) But efficient fixtures and systems are better. Insulation was added, and a new mini split heat pump was installed for heat and A/C. The lighting and ceiling fan were upgraded to beautiful fixtures, and new insulated windows replaced single-pane types.

New MiniSplit intentially placed center over window

Oh, and that little pantry room got made into a first floor bathroom, which the house did not have. Beautiful finishes and fixtures were selected by the owners, a opaque window was installed in the existing opening for a bit of privacy and a heated towel rack was used for a bit of luxury. If or when someone needs to have single-floor living, this bathroom will be available to help.

Overall, a big change for the day to day quality of life for the folks who live here!

View toward back yard