Finished! Minimalist with MCM roots
We're almost done with the remodel of our mid century modern post and beam home. We are still waiting a few cabinets and details, but we've been using the kitchen for a week or so now so I thought I'd share my reveal.
The original kitchen (so much brown!):
After a 3 month clean up, we lived there for almost 4 years before starting a major remodel and addition. Initially, we were just going to update the cabinets and replace the appliances/counters, but after working in the kitchen for a few months, we realized the layout did not work for a family. There was no storage/pantry, little counter work space, and the only window faced the garage. We decided to swap the spaces and make the original kitchen a family room:
While the home is undeniably MCM, the new kitchen leans minimalist in style. The goal was a symmetrical and monochromatic space with a simple layout. We wanted the focus to be on the views and wanted the kitchen to be a calm, quiet space with some texture for visual interest.
We blew out the walls and demolished a not-to-code fireplace and installed a wall of glass that extends the 60 feet across the back of the house. The kitchen is to the right in this image - the dining room and living room are all open to the kitchen.
Some of you may remember the difficulties with the stain color of the cabinets - it took our cabinet maker 3 months and several attempts at re-staining to achieve the driftwood color. We considered switching out the doors for walnut, but I'm glad I stuck with the ribbed cabinets.
I'm grateful for the community and the collective wisdom here, especially those that encouraged me to keep these cabinets, even though wasn't sure about them at first. Thanks GW/Houzz for being such a great resource!
Details:
Cabinets: custom routed with a grey/driftwood stain/wash and lacquer; custom stainless steel cabinets on back of island (still not installed), local cabinet maker
Counters/Backsplash: Neolith Calacatta, Satin finish
Sink: Kraus 36' (thanks GW for recommending this -- what a find!)
Pulls: Atlas Homeware Successi "It" Pull; Mockett edge pulls on uppers and cabinets under island; fridge and pantry pull from Atlas Homeware
Faucet: MGS HD Spin pull out
Floors: Imola Micron 4 ft x 4ft in white
Fridge: SubZero 736TCI
Wine fridge: U-Line 18 inch undercabinet fridge
Double Ovens: Bosch 800 series, 30" combo speed oven
Cooktop: Bosch 800 series, 36" 5 burner
Dishwasher: Fisher Paykel double tall drawers, DD24DTI7
Hood: Miele integrated hood (hidden in soffit)
Undercounter lights: Alloy LED light strips (housed in track)
Pendants: Niche Modern "Solitaire"
Chandelier: Arteriors Zanadoo, brass
Mono point lights: Tech Lighting
Barstools: Midj
Comments (115)
Related Discussions
Planting with minimal soil
Comments (5)They say that plants do better against the root knot nematode if there is plenty of organic mater in the soil (probably that the plant is healty enough to deal with a bit of damage before showing signs.) This is my first season of really growing in raised beds using lots of mulch. The main plant I know had a problem last season with root knot were the tomatoes. Guess what, they were even growing in containers but the roots had ventured down through the holes and into the sand below. This season there are three types of toms. A couple in containers, a few in ground amended with mushroom compost, a few in ground amended with mushroom compost and solarised. We will see if there is much difference among them. I fear the compost we get from the county may be mixed with sand that probably has some nematodes in it. Last season I filled produce boxes with the compost and planted right in it. It is also what I used in the tomato pots last season. It did work, the plants grew and I did get some harvest before the bugs took over. This season the county hasn't had much compost for us to go get. I've been using more mushroom compost to build the raised beds. The mushroom compost is from horse manure with straw/hay and is usually still pretty hot when I first get it. The zucchini and pumpkins that are planted into mounds of the mushroom compost on top of cardboard seem to be doing very well. The mound of mushroom compost is covered over with wood chip mulch to hold in moisture. So far I can't say about nematodes getting up into the mounds of mushroom compost on top of cardboard. I kinda doubt they will, at least for the first season. I'm game to try ideas out to see what works and what would need adapting to work. Bring on the ideas!...See MoreWhat kind of home finishes are distinctly mcm?
Comments (18)Very cool. I would argue for the screen to be the same body colour as the house. Here are some things I think about depending on your area as MCM style can be very regional: very simple and or minimal trim Slab interior doors and cabinet doors (plain). White or light Wood OK, Colour would be OK for kitchen cabinets if you are feeling bold. Wood panelled accent walls Light narrow wood flooring. very plain wall-to-wall carpeting would be contemporaneous but I just don't like it as much. brick or stone fireplaces Square tile in the bathrooms. I like colour in the bathroom. you can see a lot of great bathrooms on retro renovation and you can see people doing a lot of great things with liner/trim tiles. I think a good substitute for vintage Formica is solid surface counters. I really like the speckle kinds personally. I like simple modern light fixtures and I really like the globes on your exterior. You'll see globe fixtures showing up in all kinds of interiors, they are both classic and cheap which is a great combo in my books. if you have the budget linoleum or marmoleum are really neat flooring choices that can go well in a mcm home. I would veer away from Granite, marble or travertine. Slate or local fieldstone ok. I happen to love the look of terrazzo and I think a neat modern nod to terrazzo is polished concrete with glass chips. all this from a non-expert and slight enthusiast. PS if you're replacing the windows consider brown or black frames....See MoreMCM Remodel - Need Window Help
Comments (9)Thanks! To answer your question on exterior, it's actually up in the air right now, but assume some windows will be in a stacked natural stone/mortar exterior, some in a hardwood (like ipe) rainscreen siding and some in an EFIS/stucco-like exterior. Does any of this change your answer on getting those returns? And if replacements are 3.25" how thick are new construction windows generally? Re: stone sills, is the cold issue more of a comfort thing or a performance/efficiency issue? Former I might be able to live with, latter would have me reconsidering. On the black upcharge, I was actually referring to the upcharge to the consumer, not the mfg cost. I'm quite confident a different paint color costs the mfg nothing more when offered as a standard non-custom option! But I've heard the additional cost to consumer (all that matters as you correctly noted) is around 40% and I was wondering if it's really that bad....See MoreWhat style are these cabinets?
Comments (16)the cabinets could be redone (scrubbed, cleaned and stained again) if you like, but I don't think the countertop works w/the tile, or overall look. looks a like glazed ceramic. they shouldn't have used the countertop 4" piece as a backsplash w/those tiles. you could prob get more tiles remade by a custom artisan who specializes in matching vintage tile. You don't need many. I'd redo the countertop. I'd also replace that hood. to me it looks a little country. (if you want country over mcm type of look, then leave it, but your tile doesn't really say 'country'!) right now you have a cornucopia of styles. pick one and go from there. the lighting is the other issue. I'm sure you could raise that ceiling a bit. at the very least, take out the fluorescents and replace w/recessed lighting. if you don't raise the ceiling, then you will need to fill in that inset box with new drywall. if you don't want to redo the ceiling, you can still remove the old light and do something like this with all the work of finishing this, you may as well stick up a new drywall piece and cover the entire inset. would look so much better....See MorePipdog
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
caligirl5
6 years ago
my_four_sons
6 years agoPipdog
6 years agoPipdog
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoThanks, arapaho, raphaellathespanishwaterdog and elizabethm.
Carol and vicbayside, as far as the Neolith, three months in and no issues. I'm very happy with it.
rockybird, thanks! Excited to see your reveal with the blue tile. I think it will be gorgeous!
bullburgmaggie, thank you! That was our goal and I'm glad to hear you think we got it.
I thought I'd update with some new photos as we just got our stainless steel cabinets on our island. They bring a slightly industrial vibe to the space. With that, our kitchen is finally finished! Happy dance! Thanks to all that gave me input, ideas and support.
Pipdog
6 years agoPipdog
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
jemimabean
4 years agoM
4 years agosnowcountry
4 years agoWhitney Lemons
4 years ago
User