After: Modern Layout, Classic Details
Sometimes the simplest solution is also the best, especially when
righting past renovation wrongs. So thought Rina and Brittain Stone
after seeking the advice of architect Kurt Sutherland in solving the
layout and traffic-flow problems of their 1749 Dutch Colonial's kitchen
in Accord, New York. The kitchen was in a small, closed-off addition put
on 100 years after the house was built and was configured in the 1960s
as a U-shape with honey-hued cabinetry and marbleized laminate counters.
This made the space feel crowded, and it looked dated by today's
standards.
The architect's plan was straightforward: Bust out the bottom of the "U" to create an efficient galley with prep, cooking, and cleanup stations arrayed along two walls instead of three. By relocating the back door and enlarging the passageway into the adjoining living room so the two line up, Sutherland was able to open up the kitchen to both indoors and out, while rerouting foot traffic away from the main work zone. Period details such as painted cabinets, soapstone counters, and an apron-front sink unite the space with the rest of the 18th-century farmhouse.
Before: Cramped with Closed Cabinet Space
The existing kitchen's deep-cornered counters were awkward to work in. Closed upper cabinets made the space feel cramped. The installation of two straight countertops offer more usable workspace, and open shelving makes the narrow galley appear more spacious.
Dishwasher: Jenn-Air Faucet and sink: Waterworks Windows: Pella
