Kitchen & Bath Design News

MAY 2015

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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24 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | May 2015 J ames Justice has learned a lot about design and remodeling in the 24 years since he built the home he shares with his wife, Darlene, and their family. The remodeler – who owns Architectural Justice in Medina, OH, with Darlene, who is a designer and creative director at the frm – had started the business six years earlier, crafting cabinetry in the family ga - rage and building additions. "I didn't think about things like [including] east facing glass," he says with regard to the orientation of the home. "As a result, our kitchen just didn't get any morning sun." On top of that, the cabinetry was in need of repair and storage was inef- fcient. "Because we're in the business, our kitchen had a lot of used materi- als, stuf we had collected from other people's homes," he says. Additionally, the eating area was small and the kitchen didn't function adequately for entertaining. Plus, the entire space was dated aesthetically. "The grape wallpaper may have been in style back in the day, but it defnitely had to go!" says Darlene, noting that the soffits and corner oven, which simply took up too much space, were added to that list, as well. In the end, the only remnant of the previous kitch- en is the 2.25" natural oak fooring that was refnished to a darker color. NATURAL LIGHT The couple began the redesign by cre- ating a triangular-shaped addition at the back of the house, which solves several transgressions of the previous space. Its wall of windows accomplish- es the goal of bringing natural light into the space from the east, and the additional square footage allows for a breakfast nook that features a curved peninsula and a larger dinette table to accommodate the family more com- fortably. It also gives them a better view of and access to their back and side yards. "The addition has really enhanced the space," says James. "The morning sun hits the nook before anything else." The addition also improved the functionality of the Great Room into which the kitchen and new breakfast nook open, allowing for a better ar- rangement of furniture to create a single focal point with the television and freplace. A new entrance from the Great Room to the dining room makes it easier to entertain large groups. TIMELESS AND STYLISH The extra space provided by the ad- dition allows the 'after' kitchen to shine, showcasing a transformation that focuses on timeless and stylish elements – with a layout that enhanc- es functionality for the family that loves to cook. "Our biggest challenge was fguring out the new peninsula," notes James, who says its predecessor divided By Kim Berndtson Project Case Study { Spotlight on creative, problem-solving kitchens and baths } Kitchen Gets New Life…and Light Designers transform the home they built 24 years ago with a new addition that foods the space with sunlight, and enhance the kitchen with timeless and stylish elements that make cooking more fun. CREATE A FOCAL POINT Removing the bulky corner oven gave James and Darlene the ability to add a window and create a focal point cooking wall. The Wolf range is highlighted by San Marco Silver mosaic tile. Its simple elegance adds a touch of glamour and sparkle, while also being easy to clean. A custom stainless steel hood trimmed with wood to match the cabinetry serves as a focal point. Extra tall and deep upper cabinets provide additional storage, while LED lights add ambiance. "When the upper cabinets are lit, it creates a nice ambiance in the evening," says Darlene. ADD BEAUTIFUL ELEMENTS The petite round island features a custom-cut Clarity granite top as well as base with half-moon cutouts to add interest to the space and accommodate small stools for in-kitchen seating. Curved, dovetail drawers provide additional storage. "One of the prettiest items in the kitchen is the refrigerator, which features custom designed panels," says Darlene, adding that it was also recessed into the wall and accented with brushed nickel hardware. A complementary mix of Jefrey Alexander and Emtek Satin Nickel hardware adds an Art Deco feel. COFFEE STATION Frosted glass door panels conceal several small appliances, including an espresso machine and microwave. Photo: Nick Lorenzoni Photo: James and Darlene Justice

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