Smart kitchen makeovers are often based on making the right connections. And in the case of this fixer-upper in Peters Township, it’s all about connections.
The formerly dated kitchen (complete with pickled cabinets) was disconnected from the dining nook and family room, separated by a series of boxy bulkheads serving as visual barriers. On a less tangible but still critical level, the kitchen’s ambiance made it difficult for the family and their frequent guests to connect, with its low ceilings and minimal lighting. By teaming up with designer Mark Morrison and Don’s Appliances, the space is now open and welcoming.
“The bulkheads were removed and the ceiling was raised, which allowed us to install a taller window at the sink and an arched glass header over the doorway into the eating area,” explains Morrison. “We also accented the raised ceiling with painted wood beams.” Other accents include the versatile and aesthetically pleasing appliances, which served as a springboard for much of the renovation and further connected the room.
The hearth of the home
The homeowners wanted both a range and an induction cooktop. “At big holidays, we may host 30 or more people,” they explain. “One of the things we wanted was enough cooking space, as well as speed for cooking certain items.” So they selected the Wolf Dual-Fuel Range, which includes a griddle, and the Wolf Induction Cooktop. The hearth area, which houses the range, is built around a commercial-grade vent and is one of the homeowners’ favorite features.
They also enjoy their Wolf Electric Steamer Cooktop, which they purchased “to eat healthier, to cook certain items differently and to have certain things taste better.” The Wolf Transitional Drawer Microwave was incorporated to keep the look clean and the countertops free of clutter, and the Marvel beverage center and wine coolers allow for different wine types, plus sodas and water, to remain at their ideal temperatures. For the refrigerator, which is the Sub-Zero professional fridge with a glass door, it was all about the sleek look, and for the dishwasher, the Bosch 24” 800 Series, it was all about quiet efficiency.
Say it with stone
Earthy stone throughout the kitchen serves as an ideal backdrop for the appliances. “We also have a lot of stone throughout the rest of the house and definitely wanted to incorporate it into the kitchen,” says the homeowner. The Shiloh cabinetry, stained cherry wood with a black glaze, is another pleasing complement to the stone, and the new low-voltage LED lighting showcases it all: recessed, under-counter and above-cabinetry lights all create different accent effects—and connections, of course”—within this stunning kitchen.
Appliances:
Wolf 48” Dual-Fuel Range with Griddle (DF486G); Wolf 36” Induction Cooktop (CT36I/S); Wolf 15” Electric Steamer Cooktop (IS15/S); Wolf 30” Transitional Drawer Microwave Oven (MD30TE/S); Sub-Zero PRO 48” Refrigerator with Glass Door (648PROG); Marvel 24” Undercounter Refrigerator (MPRO6GARM-BS-LL); Marvel 15” Wine Cellar (MPRO6GARM-BS-LR); Bosch 24” 800 Series Dishwasher (SHPM78W5-N)