Nominated for a National Kitchen and Bath Association Rocky Mountain Peak award, this space transformed from a chopped up layout to a souped-up knockout. Its inspiration and structure offered unique but fun challenges for our design and construction teams.
This mid-century home is in the awesome Lower Chautauqua neighborhood but the cramped and dated kitchen was less than desireable. The homeowners longed for a place where they could really connect with each other, knowing kids grow fast and the family togetherness clock was ticking. However, the heart of their home was cramped, had a choppy flow, and definitely dated. Now the kitchen and dining area brings the family together naturally.
It’s A Jeepney Thing
A painting of a Philippine “Jeepney” vehicle became the inspiration for the project’s color palette. Our homeowner explained the piece: “The Jeepney painting is by my aunt (my mom was raised in the Philippines). Jeepneys make up most of the public transport in the Philippines. They are privately owned, and owners will decorate and paint them to be festive and attract customers.” The art has a whimsical vibe with soft blues and earthy terracotta tones. Wallpaper with blue patterning extended the painting’s hues and movement. A bright blue faucet adds a dash of color to center the island. Boldly painted brick connects warm orange terracotta into the living space and plays up colors found in the entry’s floor tiles. The palette helps extend a warm welcome into the home.
Come On In
Both the back and front entries begged for storage, purpose, and style. Purpose-built drop zones can help families get organized, which lessens time and stress looking for a lost boot, backpack, or keys when running late. Look at the tiny entryway in the before and after slider in the “Power Struggle” block below. Incorporating the kitchen’s style but slightly differently (a taller corner shelving cabinet with a wood countertop versus granite) set its intention as an entryway.
The front entry had more room but no definition. We built an architectural feature wall at the front entry to claim a footprint where a foyer typically sits. Notice how the variation in flooring helps visually denote the area as well. Doors with glass panels mirror the length and width of the skylight to promote a feeling of height and grandeur.
This Boulder home now feels right coming and going.
*Move the slider below with your cursor to view Before/After photos
Open Up
A series of walls stuttered the layout and stalled flow throughout the kitchen and dining area. Like riding in a convertible, this space was best experienced wide open and tricked out.
The original layout had a skinny entry space alongside a narrow galley kitchen (use the skylight as a visual benchmark – this is the same view looking at the stovetop!) with a wall blocking the dining area. We knocked down two walls to open up LOTS of cabinetry and countertop work space. Removing interior walls gained three planes of storage and countertop space, including two outer walls and the sizable island. It’s nearly 360 degrees of cabinetry and countertops.
*Move the slider below with your cursor to view Before/After photos
Power Struggle
We had our work cut out for us with the homeowner’s goals pitted against the house’s challenges. For instance, an electric panel handcuffed the design. To comply with building code, we’d have to leave a lot of space around it. To move it was expensive. The homeowners decided the expenditure was worth it; now the full height coat cabinet and shelving is in place.
*Move the slider below with your cursor to view Before/After photos
Be Informed
We love a good challenge and inspiration. Using one piece of art informed the interior design. The layout was streamlined, color and character was developed, and now this kitchen is nearly unrecognizable from its origin. Most importantly, bringing family together is what got this project successfully over the finish line.
We are still thrilled with our kitchen and are really enjoying it every day!