Requesting help to elevate MCM open-concept layout and decor
We remodeled this MCM home just as the pandemic started - adding the entire new back end to the house. With delays in the supply chain - choices were limited. We LOVE the open-concept but find it hard to make design choices. We've lived in this space for a few years, in my pictures I tried to show the reality of how we use it. I think I've lived my entire adult life in spaces that have never been finished - I'd really like to change that with this space.
We're open to all suggestions. Very few pieces of furniture have to stay in the space: HM Eames Chair, Dining room table (excluding chairs), TV to remain in same location, and custom rugs ordered specifically for this space. I'd love to keep the Sputnik chandelier - but it's missing some bulbs that I can't seem to find anywhere - open to other options. The leather sectional is new- but I could be swayed to entertain other options.
Some of the Issues we are looking for solutions for: TV wall is boring. Dining room chairs aren’t comfortable and are limiting for guest body types. Both seating areas feel awkward and unfinished. Kitchen pendants don't do the space any favors. We need more storage.
Thank you for the help or at least pointing me in the right direction! I have more pictures!
Comments (25)
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Help another MCM fireplace. Bonus: ceilings too!
Comments (53)Pipdog - Sorry, I missed your earlier post. That house was the inspiration for one of my neighbor's remodels! Interestingly, they painted everything white BUT the fireplace and put in similar light wood flooring. Their fireplace is on an outer wall, not in the center, so it doesn't really stick out. Palimpsest - LOL on the mullet. I admit, I did have a mullet haircut 5(?) years ago when they were back in style, and DH had the faux-hawk. But hair is temporary by its nature, and I like looking silly. :) I didn't mean to be dismissive of "whatever this is" but I honestly don't know what to call it. I'm a big fan of modernism, and I'm clueless when it comes to transitional decor. I understand modern design principles, but ask me which chair goes with which table in a transitional home and I'm at a loss. And I'm really not a preservationist. We are making significant changes. The siding is definitely not original (I'd argue better than the stucco). We're updating the kitchen and baths, removing walls, etc. And our furniture is definitely not period correct. The house I posted above with the metal sheets is from a Dwell home tour and dubbed the "Hyper Eichler" by the architect. He approached the update by considering what the architects / builder might have done if the materials and building technology of today was available back then. I think it stays true even with the numerous changes from the original finishes, and I try to keep this approach in mind. Marcolo - I don't know that wanting to paint a fireplace or making any non-standard MCM chalterations is necessarily due to a lack of appreciation or trend following. Most of my neighbors truly believe they appreciate the MCM nature of their homes and probably wouldn't know a current trend if it hit them in the face, but they make all kinds of changes that purists would cringe at: granite counters, shaker cabinets, atrium conversion, fireplace removal, wood flooring, etc etc etc. A lot of it is due to tweaking their homes for their lifestyle (fireplace in the way, needed sq footage from atrium), or something I often hear is the emphasis on natural materials (granite counters, wood floors) despite the fact they're replacing formica and VCT....See MoreLayout advice requested!
Comments (10)Hvhay, I'm definitely inclined to the laundry setup in #3. I like the nice cross hall and think it would be a more than acceptable substitute for that extra, dark laundry space that's only good for standing. Is that really a place you'd care to hang out in? If you do definitely see yourself standing in there folding clothes, then it would likely be very worth the investment. If not, though, maybe grab your clothes from the dryer in what's going to be a pleasant, open cross hall? You can always go stand in that nice pantry when you need a moment to yourself. Also, I'd recommend you hold off on building in a banquette until you've lived with your new kitchen for a while. This is The Day of the Banquette. They have some real virtues, and I've liked them longer than most people here have been alive, but I promise that in future they will never look as glossy and desirable as they do now, not for the next 60 years or so, and their negatives will become newly obvious. Especially to adults who've done the sliding in and over thing more than enough. In future, once the in-style dazzle has dimmed, to still look as good banquettes will need to either create a truly special space for sitting or be an obvious answer to an obvious need. Those that don't will look like what they were, something that was "in" when the kitchen was remodeled. Conversely, a nice table and chairs will never look so...boring and unspecial as it does now. So, just be sure a fixed, inflexible banquette is the best option for you. OR, don't bolt it down. Just set it there. If you do one, though, then the back wall of #1 would be great. This would create the rationale for its being that would make it always look right, and it looks like it would also create a particularly special, inviting space to enjoy. A mini sunroom looking out over the garden. In the other plans it lacks that compelling reason for being and is also off balance, a problem that can be fixed with decorative sleight of hand, but still......See MoreKitchen Remodel: Requesting layout advice
Comments (9)"I need an appliance cabinet to hold the toaster, blenders, mixer etc but not sure where to put it" I'd put them in the pantry cabinets. 15" deep shelves are plenty deep enough - mine all fit on 12" deep shelves. Pantry shelves 12" to 15" deep are practical - anything deeper is not practical. . "...Bosch speed oven currently placed in the island (facing the sink) - since this will also be our only microwave DH is concerned it will be too low & we have to bend/ squat every time to use it." Unless you're a very short family, your DH is right - it will be too low to use easily. A better alternative would be a MW drawer for your MW if you don't have room for a tall oven cabinet. . "Should the upper cabinet on the left end of the stove wall turn the corner and extend above the DW? This will only extend along 5' of this wall, for the next 7' there is a lower slanted ceiling" No, I would keep it the way it is at this point - unless you really need the extra upper cabinet space. I think the slope will be crowding the sink wall. (See the end of this post for key information needed about the slope.) . "Would it be better to have a square island (4' x 4') with 2 + 2 seating rather than the longer island with 3 + 1 seating" Yes, but a 4'x4' island will not allow 2x2 seating if they're on adjacent sides. Only one seat can occupy a corner - not two. In addition, did you plan to eliminate the pantry cabinets to accommodate a wider island? . . So, there are other issues as well. Refrigerator...Unless it's a true built-in, it cannot be against the wall like that. You need to either put the doorway right next to it (and make the doorway wide enough to accommodate an open refrigerator door + traffic) -or- put a 12" wide cabinet b/w the wall and the refrigerator. Dishwasher...The DW should be on the other side of the sink. You don't want it in the Prep Zone. Range & Island...The way your island is arranged right now, the prep sink is wasted. It's too far from the range and the refrigerator. In fact, the island is a barrier b/w the prep sink in the island and the refrigerator. In addition, it's on an aisle with the DW and Cleanup Zone, so it really won't be useful. A better arrangement would be to have the island deep enough to have the prep sink on the side of the island facing the range - as long as you have enough room for 36" to 42" of workspace (36" is the bare minimum, 42" is much better). Prep Zone...Based on the arrangement of your layout, your primary Prep Zone will be b/w the cleanup sink and range. You definitely do not want the DW on the right side of the sink. Island seating...Your island is not deep enough for seating. For counter-height seating, the island needs to be a minimum of 41.5" deep (40.5" if you don't put a decorative door or finished panel on the back of the island cabinets...but, in this case, you will need to b/c the backs of Ikea cabinets are not finished.) The minimum seating overhang is 15" of clear knee/leg space. If the overhang is too shallow b/c of your aisle widths, then either you should not have seating b/c your kitchen cannot fit it or you need to eliminate those cabinets behind the seats. People take up the same amount of space in the aisle even when you skimp on the overhang - they're just a lot more uncomfortable sitting there. (I would question your KD about this, s/he should know this...) 41.5" = 1.5" counter overhang + 24" deep cabinets + 1" decorative door/end panel + 15" seating overhang . KEY INFORMATION NEEDED Regarding the sloped ceiling...how low is the lowest point and how high is the highest? Does it slope from the DR toward the range wall? -or- Does it slope from the left wall to the right wall? Would the refrigerator fit under it? Most refrigerators are around 6' tall. Or, could a shortened tall oven cabinet fit under it? If not, then I'm doubting you can even have workspace there b/c it will be too low for someone to stand there. Do you have a picture of the actual room so we can see the slope?...See MoreKitchen reno on 1910 tudor: layout assistance requested!
Comments (8)What an interesting project! It looks as if it was a kitchen laid out for the help, or caters, in a well-to-do household. I'm not a designer, but I love old house renovations, and I hope you keep us updated along the way. I like a prep sink on the island and clean-up on the perimeter--but in this case your island view is of pantry and pantry doors. We spend more time prepping items for a meal, than in clean-up, so I moved the main sink to the island, as you suggested. I drew the prep sink in front of the thin strip of wall--since most of prep work happens on one side or the other of a sink, you have the choice to prep in front of the windows, or on the peninsula, facing the sunroom. Given a choice, I wouldn't put the fridge so far from the range, but in an old house remodel, sometimes we don't have as many options. I did include a MW drawer on the corner of the peninsula near the fridge, for convenience. The island width is reduced by 12"--6" for each short aisle. I'd like to see a wider work aisle, but it looks as is the traffic aisle is already at the NKBA recommended minimum of 44". 42" is a one-person work aisle, and 48" is considered wide enough for two people. But, with the DW to the right of the sink, the works zones can be separated--except for the zone-crossing between appliances. If you don't want a corner susan, the corner can be voided in favor of wider drawers, but you'll need filler in the corner to make sure the drawers clear the oven handle and hardware on perpendicular cabinets. As for the deep pantry closet, maybe just 18" deep shelves for items too big for kitchen drawers. If it hasn't already been decided, I'd suggest drawers for all base cabinets. The bases on each side of the range are narrow, so pull-outs might work better there. Good luck! ETA, the only way I could think of to improve the prep/cooking triangle would be to close the kitchen to the sunroom and put the fridge on that wall, but you would give up all that lovely natural light:...See More
PROCelery. Visualization, Rendering images
last yearlast modified: last yearI would finish conversation area in front of FP by moving bench and getting a coffee table. Single chair under the window has to go to Eames chair .
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last yearlast modified: last yearOr you can go wider if switch sofa and bench ( on my rendering) and single chair goes to eames chair. Then you might not need in coffee table. You will see.
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beeboo22
last yearI’m not usually a fan of West Elm but we have these chairs and they’re great. Everyone comments on how comfortable they are. They do require a high undercarriage for your table (I’m calling it the wrong thing but referring to the height from floor to bottom of tabletop). https://www.westelm.com/products/slope-upholstered-dining-chair-h4008/?pkey=cdining-chairs
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
last yearI would do a white laquer finish for the TV cabinet for a bit of connection to the kitchen I agree you need another chair to pair with the eames for sure. I love your house BTW I have a 1956 MCM ranch always been my fave style of house for sure We do not have a TV in our LR but this is ours if it helps at all.We move pieces around often and at Christams we put our tree in the corner window so everything kind of moves a bit .My high gloss white kitchen
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Ali Jensen
last yearrockybird
last yearlast modified: last yearYou could add a credenza with more color for the tv. I have two from onecollection (finn juhl design). I think other companies make a similar one for cheaper In place of the black chair in front of the tv, you could put a knoll womb chair. It would look amazing! An eames lounge chair would look good too! You could also do a nelson saucer lamp over the table.
Blue Finn Juhl credenza (saarinen table next to knoll sofa):
Nelson saucer lamp
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last yearhoussaon
last yearAli Jensen
last yearI’m still really stumped with this space. Would you add a take behind sectional? We’d love an ottoman - should it be rectangle or round? Assuming it should be fabric, right??? Media center walk needs some interest? Paint? Photo gallery? Throw pillows for couch? Color suggestions?
beeboo22
last yearI think those are great ideas. I would hang two long narrow art pieces on the sides of the TV like this
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
last yearlast modified: last yearI do not like art hung on TV walls but I do use Ikea Besta often for TV , a bit of storage and also a bit of disply You might want to check thta out.This is just an idea
rockybird
last yearchispa
last yearTo make the TV wall a bit more attractive, maybe you can look at the Samsung The Frame TV if/when you want to replace it.
This is mine, a 75" one. The glass is also matte so you don't get glare from windows or light fixtures. Better than having the black hole when not using the TV!
Painted Peggies (zone 6a)