KBB - April 2015 - 20

BEFORE AND AFTER

Deeper tones replace the golden oak color of the
former space. Ample windows and a substantial
white island keep the kitchen from looking too dark.

Best-Laid Plans...

...Always Come with a Few Challenges

Devane said the couple didn't exactly know what they liked at ﬁrst, so
she kept ﬁne-tuning the options.
"My goal was to create a design that increased the cabinetry storage
space and surface area, while maintaining a good ﬂow throughout the
kitchen and allow for various functions - the eat-in area, island space,
desk area and pantry storage," she explained.
The homeowners also wanted a brighter, warmer, more contemporary
space, which Devane achieved through various methods.
"In this kitchen, we had the advantage of being in a space that is
ﬂanked by many windows and great outdoor scenery, as well as cascading light from an adjoining dining room," she said."This allowed us to keep
with the richer and deeper warm tones without being too dark."
The large, white-enameled island and white linen drum pendant also
add to the room's brightness and keep it from looking too heavy with the
dark woods. The island also opened up the workﬂow and doubled the
storage and countertop space.
Devane kept the existing oak hardwood ﬂoors but stained them in a
darker shade to coordinate with the new space and eliminate the golden
tones of the former. The trim work was also updated to coordinate with the
new kitchen perimeter cabinets.
Because both the husband and wife often work from home, it was
important to incorporate a desk workstation into the kitchen. Devane borrowed some space from the former pantries to include this, whereas the
new pantry space is built in around the refrigerator.
According to the designer, the area around the sink would have
looked too cluttered and heavy with standard cabinets ﬂanking it.
"The ﬂoating shelf design became a key ingredient in creating a look
that was open and visually appealing," she added. "The smaller-scale
ledgestone backsplash added to the unique look without making the
space feel too busy."
Devane explained that the integration of banquette seating at the
end of the island was key in deﬁning the dine-in space as an extension
of the kitchen instead of just having a separate eating space at the end.
"We melded both ends of the room seamlessly," said Devane."The wall
of windows complements the dine-in area beautifully, and we had custom window treatments designed to perfectly ﬂank the space and add a
dose of color to brighten the outdoor views."

The header over the sink was an eyesore, but to get rid of it would
have required the addition of metal beams to make up for the support it
provided. Because that option was a bit intensive, Devane took away the
header's boxy look by using open shelving around the sink.
"Structurally, it was going to be expensive to make alterations, so I opted
to keep it in place and make the area more of an architectural impact with
the ﬂoating shelves and ledgestone backsplash," she said. "This kept that
space open and airy - but also practical and contemporary."
In one corner of the kitchen was a stack of mechanical elements that
could not be moved, so Devane also had to make that area a part of
the design.
"With each cabinet 'area' standing on its own and having its own
unique features, this showcased the corner - making it look intentional,"
she said. "This was reinforced by installing the backsplash only along the
back walls instead of having it wrap around the corner."
Devane and her team moved the range to the side wall, which allowed
for external venting - something the former space lacked. To achieve this,
they had to push back the wall in that area by borrowing some space
from the dining room behind it.
According to Devane, the doorways had to stay put because of the
way the other rooms were set up for entrance, so the ﬁnal challenge
involved having to stay within the original footprint. She created a better ﬂow throughout the space by removing the peninsula, adding the
island for more countertop and storage space, making the stack of
mechanical items and header a part of the kitchen design, including
a workspace and incorporating banquette seating as an extension of
the island. n

+
K BB

- By Chelsie Butler

sources
Design: Chantal Devane, Devane Design; Photography: Tim and Madie
Photography
Backsplash: Florida Tile; Countertops: HanStone Quartz; Custom
Cabinets: Paulson Brothers Woodworkx; Dinette Table & Chairs:
Bassett Furniture; Dishwasher, Microwave, Oven & Refrigerator: GE;
Faucet: Delta; Hardware: Berenson; Hood: Vent-A-Hood; Lighting: LBL
Lighting & Restoration Hardware; Window Treatments: Point of View

April 2015 / www.kbbonline.com / The Ofﬁcial Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

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KBB - April 2015

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