mudroom : before
dead space
The large, single entry room was a significant waste of usable space.
view from the entry door
view from far end of the entry room
divide and conquer
Add a wall (and remove a window) to create two smaller rooms: a mudroom and a separate office. Then remove the bookcase (the home's original front door) for access to the rest of the house from the new mudroom.
Once confirmed with my contractors, I drafted precise layouts for the interior space and each cabinet array, including:
- a. Double-wide central cabinet for oversize storage
- b. Bench seating under windows to maximize utility of dead space
- c. Half-depth cabinet by doorway for quick-access storage while maintaining ingress/egress
full layout
a
b
b
c
window cabinet detail
int. wall cabinet detail
mudroom : after
view from the entry door
view from new corner bench
kitchen : before
small and dated
The old kitchen cabinets and appliances were deteriorating within the small space. With a corner-set sink and no dishwasher, the entire room was ripe for rennovation.
open and update
We removed a wall (requiring a structural beam support) to combine the adjoining dining room, creating a larger, eat-in kitchen. Then I designed a new layout for custom cabinetry and all new appliances.my initial sketches were numerous and considered 3 separate layouts. I used those sketches to design a final layout, including these features:
- a. Pull-out compartent for tea storage and instant-hot water dispenser (on sink array) for my wife's insatiable need for hot tea.
- b. Under-counter microwave for easy access (my wife is petite) and to preserve usable counterspace.
- c. Spice drawers and utility cabinet with slide-out oil caddy beside range for quick access while cooking.
- d. Full-wall granite backsplash (hood only, no cabinets) for open feel and improved longevity (tile grout and/or cabinetry above cooktops are typically ruined over time by heat and oil exposure).
cup o' tea
The tea station might be my finest design contribution to the entire house. My wife drinks at least 6 cups per day and her previous preparation method (kettle and/or microwave) would take an average of 3 minutes per cup, whereas the instant-hot setup reduces prep time to less than 15 seconds per cup. I calculate that she's saving at least 3 days annually in just tea-making. We've committed to taking one additional long-weekend vacation each year to commemorate the efficiency gain.
base cabinet design
a
b
c
c
wall cabinet design
d
kitchen : after
