Kitchen Design
Remodeling Guides
Here It Is! See Our Finished Kitchen Sweepstakes Makeover
This lucky New Jersey homeowner got improved storage, upgraded finishes and a better layout to accommodate his family of 6
Houzz and Lowe's granted kitchen sweepstakes winner Peter Cha $50,000 for remodeling materials and services last winter, and despite setbacks from Hurricane Sandy (including having no power for eight days), his dream kitchen is now complete.
Cha, who lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and two in-laws, worked closely with designer Jeff Blum of Sixzero6 Design and contractor Michael Sisti to rethink and upgrade the space into a more functional, modern and beautiful family kitchen.
Staging by Superior Staging; products provided by Lowe's
Cha, who lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and two in-laws, worked closely with designer Jeff Blum of Sixzero6 Design and contractor Michael Sisti to rethink and upgrade the space into a more functional, modern and beautiful family kitchen.
Staging by Superior Staging; products provided by Lowe's
When Cha built his home in 2004, his family went with a preset builder's kitchen. While the original cabinets were in decent shape, many were too small to be practical. The bulky refrigerator cabinet and countertop microwave took up precious workspace and made it difficult for more than one person to cook at a time.
Cha wanted this kitchen to accommodate all six people in the home comfortably. Storage, workspace and new appliances were at the top of his wish list.
Although the main layout remained the same, the design team moved the refrigerator and installed an undercounter microwave to preserve counter space.
Range: Samsung; dishwasher: Whirlpool; microwave: GE; coffeemaker, coffee cup, carousel: Lowe's
Although the main layout remained the same, the design team moved the refrigerator and installed an undercounter microwave to preserve counter space.
Range: Samsung; dishwasher: Whirlpool; microwave: GE; coffeemaker, coffee cup, carousel: Lowe's
Previously, an unnecessarily large sink base cabinet took square footage away from other cabinetry. Two tiny upper cabinets framing the sink were too small to hold any dishes.
The new cabinetry not only provides more space but coordinates well with the granite counters and mosaic backsplash. Cha wanted lighter wood cabinetry, but Blum urged him to go with a warmer tone. "Light wood is easier to cool down than warm up," Blum says. Cool-toned granite and porcelain flooring provide contrast.
The countertops and cabinetry from the Chas' previous kitchen were removed and donated to Build It Green, a nonprofit New York outlet for salvaged building materials.
The countertops and cabinetry from the Chas' previous kitchen were removed and donated to Build It Green, a nonprofit New York outlet for salvaged building materials.
A smaller table works well for casual meals and can still seat six. The refrigerator now sits against this wall, along with new built-in cabinetry. Cha's mother and father-in-law had brought many of their belongings with them when they moved in, so storage space was a priority.
Floor tile: Style Selections glazed porcelain, Matte Gray
Floor tile: Style Selections glazed porcelain, Matte Gray
Although the original kitchen layout included a good work triangle, Sisti and Blum decided to slightly reconfigure things for improved flow and organization. The refrigerator is still close enough to the cooking space to be accessed easily.
A small laundry room had made this wall in the dining area a joint pantry and utility space. The small room felt even more limited by its side-by-side washer and dryer and awkward wire shelving. "To fix this comingling of functions, we divorced the laundry room from the kitchen," says Blum.
Closing the entry between the two spaces and opening the laundry to the hallway created separation. Now this wall is fully outfitted with built-in pullout pantry shelving.
Refrigerator: Samsung
Refrigerator: Samsung
Now a stacked washer and dryer help save space in this new laundry room off the hall. Although a new washer and dryer weren't originally in the budget, the team was able to take advantage of a big sale.
Iron, basket, bins: Lowe's
Iron, basket, bins: Lowe's
Cha (pictured here with his daughters and mother- and father-in-law) now has a beautiful kitchen tailored to his family's needs. The improved ambience has made a big change in their lifestyle. "I love the whole feeling," Cha says. "I actually want to spend time in there."
More: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
More: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Cabinetry: Diamond Reflections Heyword Maple door in Cider; counters: Stone Systems Sensa Granite, Blanco Leblon; valance: Lowe's drapery, trimmed to fit the space; orchids, glass vessels: Lowe's