This kitchen was inspired by 'Only Murders in the Building'

Movies and TV shows have long influenced interior design choices. Who doesn't want a home that looks like a Nancy Meyers movie come to life? Wes Anderson's playful and colorful film sets have inspired people to bring that iconic, quirky look into their homes. And purple living rooms are a perfect example of this. friend.

This kitchen on Vashon Island, Washington, was inspired by the Hulu TV show. There's been a lot of murders in the building. (Starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez.) In the series, the characters live in a fictional pre-war apartment building on New York City's Upper West Side, which is a far cry from the small rural community in which the home is located, but there were still plenty of interior design details that could be replicated.

“The clients (a family of four) were looking for a brighter, more modern and playful kitchen,” explains Rachel Waldron of Waldron Design. “They emphasized the importance of vibrant floors, There's been a lot of murders in the building.The vision was to create a light, airy, sophisticated and stylish space that combined a contemporary aesthetic with a touch of playfulness.”

The house was originally located on farmland, overlooking fields and barns, giving it a unique charm. It is also a Pan Abode kit home, a type of home invented by Dutch cabinet makers in the 1950s. Most homes of this type built before the '80s used cedar throughout, including the interior and exterior walls, floors, and ceilings, giving the kit home design a rustic charm. However, the extensive use of cedar can make the interior feel very dark. Additionally, kit home designs present unique construction challenges.

The kitchen itself was dark and non-functional, with limited storage space, outdated cabinetry and an awkward ventilation doorway, the pantry space was primarily used for the washer and dryer and offered no storage, and the small garden window and peninsula-style space with floating cabinets made the space feel closed in and dingy.

“The renovation of the Pan Abode home presented unique challenges as each piece of the kit acts as a structural component, complicating the identification of load-bearing walls,” explains Rachel. “With no interior wall space for wiring, plumbing and recessed features, an innovative solution was required. The decision to use drywall and widen the walls by two inches allowed us to lighten the space while still achieving recessed elements.”

So Rachel and her team got to work creating a kitchen that was bright, airy, sophisticated and sleek, just like the space in the Hulu show—a complete remodel that included removing some structural walls.

“The complexity of the Pan Abode style presented some challenges,” explains Rachel, “and we unexpectedly needed extensive steelwork just before demolition, which required us to work with engineers to ensure the structural integrity. We also had a massive rat infestation in the basement, so the electrical wiring had to be completely redone and basement lighting design had to be added to the plans.”

The sink and window were enlarged to improve views and bring in more natural light. The pantry was also expanded to maximize functional space and optimize storage for natural light. Cabinets, flooring, storage, and appliances were replaced or added. To create a warm, inviting atmosphere, the team installed unique brass hardware and brass toe riser lighting and played with oversized proportions. And the unexpected addition of a steel beam was a design highlight, as it created space for a wall of refrigerators.

“We started by combining modern and retro influences from the 1970s, when the house originated, to bring a new style to the rustic home,” says Rachel. “The clients' admiration for movie-popular kitchens was the guiding principle that influenced the design direction.”

Rachel and her team continue to embrace the home's cedar character. “We used cedar in the beams and joints, while incorporating drywall into much of the kitchen space to allow for recessed electrical outlets and lighting,” says Rachel. “The balance of exposed cedar maintains the rustic beauty and prevents it from completely taking away from the character of the home.”

Rachel's clients are proud of their new space: “They love the increased light from the large windows and the breathtaking views. They even hosted their family over the holidays and their guests were thrilled, solidifying their satisfaction with their remodeled kitchen,” she says.