Mike’s Kitchen Renovation Part Two

Posted on: April 27th, 2012 | 6 Comments



John and Matthew reveal their redesign ideas for Mike in Pennsylvania’s kitchen.


Here’s Mike’s original message to us:


“Hi there!


I bought my first home about 2 years ago. I got a really good deal on it, and I adore the neighborhood. Its a very small home on a very long/narrow lot. Unfortunately, it lacks a kitchen. The room labeled as a kitchen contains only a refrigerator and an oven. There are no cabinets (upper or lower). The kitchen sink is awkwardly located in an adjacent space. I am mentally and financially prepared for a full gut to this space and look forward to a redesigned, bright, and modern kitchen area. Luckily, none of the interior walls are load bearing. There is a brick chimney buried in one wall that will need to remain (hopefully expose).


There is a home tight to the left/north side of the house, and a home who’s rear end is near my right (south) side of the home, just outside the kitchen window. The backyard is very nice and bright. I would like to open up the rear (east) end of the home with windows and possibly skylights (the bump-out off the rear is only a single story)


What I struggle with is a decent layout that makes a good useful kitchen. The closet and sink room can go, as can the wall to the dining room. Other amenities can include a small powder room and a coat closet. As you can see, space is tight, and even though I am trained in design- I really struggle with making the best use of this awkward space.


Thanks for your help!


-Mike”










Today’s Slides:

  • http://www.thirdstone.ca Louis Pereira

    John | Matthew | Srdan – Excellent solutions.  The connection to the garden and inclusion of the half-bath are perfect.

    The only problem i see may be the width of the Kitchen Island (for seating) and the aisle width between island and bathroom wall (a little tight).  I think there would be an issue having 30″ depth island with < 6" counter space for eating or other activity while sitting. 12" would be ideal as John pointed out so the seat on the end of the island could definitely work.

  • Matthew North

    Hi Louis – great diagrams! And as always, great comments. In my mind, I have shifted all the dimensions a little bit to accommodate this concept. I assumed a 36″ space between the cooktop counter and the island as you had indicated but I would shift the other dimensions just a bit. See my attached sketch overlay of your plan.

  • http://slowhomestudio.com Matthew North

    Hi Louis – great diagrams! And as always, great comments. In my mind, I have shifted all the dimensions a little bit to accommodate this concept. I assumed a 36″ space between the cooktop counter and the island as you had indicated but I would shift the other dimensions just a bit. See my attached sketch overlay of your plan.

  • http://www.thirdstone.ca Louis Pereira

    Oh yes!  The 12″ floor mount cabinets in the island is a great idea.  The 3′-4″ isle also works much better.  You could still have room to sit at the island with enough space to walk behind.

  • Steve in Seattle

    The 12″ floor cabinet is a great idea and makes the bar much more usable. Still, 36″ between counters is really tight and makes this a one-person kitchen (I just moved out of a kitchen like this).

    This room arrangement — entry and living room in front, kitchen in back — leaves both spaces feeling cramped, IMO. The other options appear to provide for more spacious rooms.

  • Oscar B. Morales

     

    Hello all,

     

    Even though the kitchen aisle feels small, 36” is not that
    bad, in a past “Slowhome Studio” project I had mentioned that I have been in commercial
    kitchens that are 30” to 32”.  I believe
    that with a little more thought and client input, that a fixture layout can be achieved,
    in where two people could comfortably work.

     

    Right now the window over the counter is dictating the layout;
    if possible I would move the window to my advantage and make sure that the
    stove and sink are separated so that two individuals do not have to work back
    to back. I can envision three working zones all working at the same time;
    Cooking, washing and prepping food while entertaining.

     

    After all this is small and quaint North East house.

     

    Great Comments, Everyone.