As long as purpose and function are always at the center of your design plans, you can make a bold choice or two even in a small kitchen. That's the principle at work in this 100 square foot kitchen renovation. Kaminski + Pugh, an architecture and design firm based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Partner and architect Kevin Kaminski, partner and interior designer Alexis Pugh, and the rest of the team knew that this project would center around a collection of stunning mid-century furniture, so the I decided to go with the whole classic Trinity style. The last renovations done in the 1960s had been undone, leaving the kitchen and other spaces dark, dingy and generally run-down. “The entire house was completely renovated, including the HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and kitchen,” says Kaminsky.
Before tearing down the space to the studs, Kaminsky and Pugh devised a design scheme that actually expanded the square footage of the space to its limits. All in all, the 900 square foot home is just 22 feet long and 13 feet wide. So we had to get very creative with the compact layout to achieve what looks like a light, bright, nature-inspired haven for cooking and entertaining. . Although they couldn't move the kitchen itself or incorporate more square footage from nearby rooms, the couple was able to make it appear much larger with some clever design touches.
First, even though we knew we wanted to keep the plumbing mostly in the same place, we purposely installed Smeg's small compact appliances, namely the 24-inch range and 18-inch range, to save valuable floor and wall space. I chose the inch dishwasher. “We used refrigerated drawers to keep the counter space open and allow the tile walls to accent the design,” says Pugh. In fact, for this project, the pair specifically looked to the boat's galley as a source of inspiration for the cabinetry. (Pugh grew up sailing.)
The layout essentially remains the same, but some key adjustments have been made to make the most of the space. The original walls of the upper and lower cabinets, which were opposite the sink wall, are custom-built to visually open up the space and provide a nice transition zone between the kitchen and the small living area that occupies the rest of the floor. Replaced by Peninsula. . A custom built-in pantry closet lines one end of the kitchen and provides streamlined hidden storage space for dry goods and cooking essentials. “Most importantly, we added a window at the end of the kitchen to bring more natural light into the space,” says Kaminsky. White wall paint and light countertops keep the look more open, while dark floor tiles ground the space and coordinate well with black window trim, hardware, and fixtures.
When choosing tile and cabinet finishes, Kaminsky and Pugh wanted to do something different than the typical white-on-white-on-white color scheme that tends to be the default in small kitchens. “Given the small size of the home, we wanted to create an impactful design choice and focal point for the main living spaces,” says Pugh. “The client wasn't afraid of color, so we chose green tiles to bring the other neutral tones used in the material palette to life.” Heath ceramic tiles were used lavishly and arranged in a vertically stacked bond configuration for maximum graphic impact. “We used Rejuvenation's push-button switches to elevate the tile feature wall,” says Pugh. Beautiful mid-tone walnut-finish custom cabinetry, commissioned from local factory workers, complements the warmth created by the tile. The sculptural yet sophisticated pendant above the peninsula counter is by Andrew Nayer.
Considering Kaminsky and Pugh's established history with the client, the complete renovation took just over a year and went fairly smoothly (this was our second project with this particular client). did). “Aside from the usual surprises that come with renovating an older home (damaged joists, loose masonry, etc.), construction went relatively quickly,” says Pugh. And for a design brief that called for a modern, attractive and colorful cooking space, Kaminsky and Pugh more than delivered. “In addition to the transformation, the client loved how efficiently the space was used and the amount of storage space we were able to incorporate into the design,” says Pugh. And now it's a popular place to cook, entertain, and gather.
