Willows Park Kitchen Redesign
Our Willows Park client was referred to us after seeing the kitchen that we’d designed for their friends, longtime Glenna Stone Interior Design clients. They had a straightforward wish list for their kitchen redesign: open, bright, traditional with a modern edge, low maintenance, and convenient.
The inspiration behind the kitchen redesign
Previously, the kitchen’s layout was a bit awkward. The peninsula offered seating with bar stools, creating a feeling of being “closed in” while prepping and cooking. Limited counter space coupled with inefficient appliance placement meant a lot of extra steps during cooking and cleanup. The existing area for a breakfast table was no longer a priority now that their children were grown and out of the house. In order to create openness and a smoother workflow, we redesigned the entire layout and opened up a load bearing wall between the kitchen and family room. A new island in the center of the kitchen seats four in comfortable, upholstered stools. Relocating the cooktop, refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher to within steps of each other maximized efficiency. This is especially important for a couple who cooks together and wanted to make the most of their kitchen with little fuss.
The (re)design details
The fresh white color scheme, including paneled appliances and surfaces, has a timeless feel. Working with Village Handcrafted Cabinetry, we chose beveled Shaker doors for their custom cabinetry to bridge between the more traditional feeling of the rest of their home and the modern design influences. We added in a custom dry bar where the table and chairs had previously been (a must for a couple who loves to entertain). In order to accommodate their request for a low-maintenance kitchen, we chose quartz slabs for the countertops, island, and backsplash behind the cooktop. Cutting-edge Wolf and SubZero appliances incorporated a steam oven and an induction range, which are gaining popularity among our clients. In addition to the brightness of color scheme, the dry bar’s mirrored backsplash reflects light. This gives the kitchen depth along with an illusion of more space. Finally, we selected a trio of elegant brass and glass pendants, which compliment the other brass accents in the kitchen.
Last but definitely not least, convenience was a priority. Our aim was to create a space that is equally as liveable as it is beautiful. From the touch faucet on the sink to the drawer in the island that holds an integrated paper towel holder, no custom detail that added efficiency and organization was spared!
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention one of the biggest drivers for the project. Our clients asked us to design an open concept space in order to connect the kitchen and family room, where they spend the most time with family and friends. As we mentioned, the wall between the two rooms was load bearing. However, we worked with our structural engineer to properly size the beam necessary to support our extra large opening. Through another amazing collaboration with EB Mahoney Builders, we were able to give them the kitchen of their dreams!
Header photo: Main Line Philadelphia kitchen redesign by Glenna Stone Interior Design; Photography by Paul S. Bartholomew
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!