Midcentury Modern Kitchen in Carlisle, PA
This space was an addition off of an existing small living space, which was designed by an architect who created a beautifully dramatic, two-story, living space by angling walls and making the living room area 2 stories high, with an overlook at the top of the spiral staircase to the second floor. The appliances were already set in place, and the homeowners did not want to move the existing plumbing, electrical, or venting, so I had to work within those parameters. They wanted a contemporary, industrial, feel for the kitchen, which I believe is described as Midcentry Modern, was acheived by using slab-style doors and drawers, mixing painted with walnut veneered finishes, along with other custom and unique items. The soapstone was a must-have for the homeowners, providing a source for the painted cabinetry color, which draws out the beautiful veins in the countertop. They needed pantry space, and as much usable storage as possible for the space, which included the angled wall that the refrigerator was on, along with not crowding the walk space between that wall and the necessary column adjacent to it. By building in the refrigerator with panels on either side to conceal the refrigerator "box", I was able to create a storage section which included a 2-drawer base for storage of larger items, with 2 pantries flanking either end, with contrasting walnut floating shelves in between. along with that custom section, in order to provide additional storage, and counter space, I created a free-standing piece, which had to feel like a part of the kitchen, yet also feel like a furniture piece, when viewed from the living room. In order to achieve that look, I used 3" wide columns to frame the piece, which I also repeated as floating shelves in the middle, to house their crockpot, but most importantly, a "home" for their roomba. The island also provided the space for separate pull-out trash and recycling bins, which I did not have space for elsewhere. Collaborating with the homeowners on this project enabled me to design a kitchen that was in a style that I hadn't had the opportunity to design in before, and I now appreciate and love this style myself!
Sitio roomba