Case Study 01: Kitchen Remodel

I completed this kitchen remodeling project for a client in Cleveland last spring. My clients' problems with their kitchen extended beyond aesthetics. The primary issue was the lack of a relationship between the kitchen itself and the eating area on the opposite side of the pass-through. This space was underutilized, despite being quite bright and enjoyable due to a skylight and large window. Since the pass-through to the kitchen was small, the kitchen did not benefit from all this light, but instead felt dark and closed-off. The eating area became essentially a hallway used solely for circulation, instead of a destination on its own.

Here are some BEFORE photos:

THE CHALLENGE: How to cost-efficiently open up the space to the eating area and create a modern & functional kitchen while re-using existing modular cabinetry.

Our first steps were to establish the scope of work and budget. After our first site meeting, we were in agreement that the project would actually be quite extensive and would incorporate all new floor & backsplash tile, lighting, reframing the pass-through, and rearranging/refacing their modular cabinets, in addition to the new counter-tops and appliances that my clients had assumed.

Some renderings used to convey the design intent:

My clients chose a modern aesthetic with espresso cabinets, white/gray granite tops, and a dark striated floor tile. Using a little creativity in rearranging the cabinets, we were able to re-use 3/4 of the frames and purchased new door and drawer fronts, side panels & hardware for a complete face-lift. The few cabinets that we could not re-use (as well as the old appliances and counter tops) were relocated to a second kitchen in the basement. My clients and I were so happy to re-use everything and reduce landfill waste.

The true test of the success of a project comes when talking to clients well after construction to discuss how they use the space and if they're still pleased with it. Fortunately, my clients are happy to report that they use their new bar counter frequently and love the modern finishes! The icing on the cake is the "WOW!" guests exclaim when they see this complete transformation.