SMALL HOME RENOVATION SERIES - KITCHEN
Recently, my husband and I wrapped up a renovation project on a 1400-square-foot home. It was a challenge because the home is a post and beam frame which means structurally, you cannot move, or remove a post or beam. Instead, you work the frame into your design. Every inch needed to be reworked in order to achieve comfort and ease of use. In this series, we will discuss the different areas of our home and how our choices helped to create the functional and charming space we dreamed of.
We believe that a kitchen is the heart of any home. When renovating a smaller footprint, such as ours, it’s important to consider how to utilize every inch of space while not making it feel crowded. We also wanted to keep in mind how materials will stand up to normal wear and tear.
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For the cabinets, we chose a white, flat front face paired with black pulls for a bright look that is easy to clean and gives the kitchen a chic, industrial feel.
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Pull-out drawers for the lower cabinets are functional and are better suited for storing more wares than traditional cabinets with shelving. Upper cabinets can be paired with at least one glass front panel, adding dimension and a pop of color from dishes/glassware.
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We sourced a larger black stainless steel farmers sink for the best functionality in the small space and to fit in with the industrial feel. We paired the sink with a matching pull-down faucet to maximize the utility.
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The quartz countertops we chose require zero maintenance and come in many choices of color and texture. Our favorite was airy concrete!
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If there is room, a butcher block work table can be added which directs the chopping/cutting to that source instead of elsewhere. An open lower shelf on that work table can house “easy to reach” mixer, blender, and food processor. The openness of the work table also visually “opens up the space” that may feel more closed off if a solid island were in place.
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Lastly, traffic flow in any smaller kitchen can be a challenge. Two means of traffic flow is ideal. Island design can achieve this goal, allowing for two ways to get in and out of the kitchen without bumping into anyone else who may be working in the space.
While every home is a work in progress, I am very happy with the results in our Kitchen. I look forward to sharing this home with our friends and family throughout the coming years. Follow along in this series for more tips on renovating a small home on Nantucket.
Meet WENDY JANNELLE
