Kitchen and Dining Remodel
A yearning for space and light –and the abiding presence of a beloved painting– were our guides for the kitchen and dining remodel of this Cleveland Heights Craftsman. The home boasts a beautiful backyard, and the owners love to entertain, but the flow from kitchen to dining room and from kitchen to yard were narrow and blocked. To open things up, we removed the wall of built-ins dividing the kitchen from the dining room to create one large entertaining area, open to the front of the house on one side, and a passage to the backyard on the other. Cabinets were removed from the former kitchen storage area and replaced with large glass double doors opening onto the deck. We rebuilt the deck, expanding it and reorienting it towards an outdoor dining area in the lower yard. Inside, a new combination walk-in pantry and coat closet provided storage space in what was previously a dark seating area. New dining room built-ins create a station for drinks with drawers for table settings. The more open layout bathes the entire space in light.
The owners of the Haddon home wanted a more modern aesthetic that also felt classic. And they love walnut finishes, but wanted to keep the space feeling light. So we designed custom flat-panel walnut cabinetry –a nod to the classic Mid-Century home– paired with thin Shaker style doors in warm gray paint for a lighter, more modern look. The owners also love to travel, and fill their home with love pops of color and texture. A beloved painting from their travels to Puerto Rico became the presiding genius of the space, its orange-and-blue palette informing color selections that are very personal, colorful and bright. The handmade Moroccan Zellig tile, for example, in two tones of blue, personalizes the space with a reminder of happy travels. The resulting kitchen and dining room are warm, welcoming and open, and a reminder that home is the very happiest place of all.
Contractor: Blanco Development
Cabinetry: Dimensions Unlimited
Photographer: Mo Saito
