Kitchen of the Week: Drab and Dysfunctional to Radiant in Minnesota
Clunky storage and lackluster floors get nixed in favor of open shelves, plaid vinyl and an effective kitchen work triangle
An outdated kitchen might be bearable, but a dysfunctional kitchen is a whole other story. For this Minnesota family, the old finishes weren't ideal, but the lack of a work triangle, the poor lighting and a missing dishwasher needed to be fixed soon. Designers Jen Ziemer and Andrea Dixon solved these issues in a kitchen remodel that added storage and workspace while updating the material palette in a fresh but traditional style.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their teenager, preschooler and dog
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 160 square feet
Cost: $70,000
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their teenager, preschooler and dog
Location: Minneapolis
Size: 160 square feet
Cost: $70,000
As the kitchen's design evolved, Ziemer and Dixon nixed an island — while it would've added extra storage, they wanted to make sure that the family still had room to move around.
Backsplash: 4- by 8-inch white subway tile, The Tile Shop; countertop: fieldstone, Cambria; cabinetry: custom Shaker door with inset bead, painted in Benjamin Moore's White Dove
Backsplash: 4- by 8-inch white subway tile, The Tile Shop; countertop: fieldstone, Cambria; cabinetry: custom Shaker door with inset bead, painted in Benjamin Moore's White Dove
BEFORE: The kitchen's layout has to revolve around necessary traffic routes from the dining room and a back door, so the new design simply streamlines the work triangle. Ziemer and Dixon also kept all of the original windows, so the kitchen would have plenty of natural light.
AFTER: To make the most of the light, the designers enlarged the back wall of windows and eliminated some upper cabinetry. Instead, extra-deep drawers provide more storage space that's much easier to access. A microwave drawer can be reached by each member of the family.
Microwave drawer: Sharp, 24 inches
Microwave drawer: Sharp, 24 inches
A nook for standard-depth cabinetry on the left side of the door contains a small above-counter pantry with rollouts, open shelves for displaying cookbooks and an appliance garage. Specialized spots for cutting boards and trays make putting things away from the adjacent dishwasher simple.
Wall paint: Soleil, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Soleil, Benjamin Moore
BEFORE: The kitchen's previous material palette felt drab and outdated. The clients wanted something simple that still reflected their personality.
AFTER: The new palette is light and airy, accented with the clients' own vintage accessories. The full wall of glossy subway tile and the painted cabinetry reflect light. The library lighting works as task lighting for prep and cooking.
Pot rack: Williams-Sonoma; lighting: Anette Library Light
Pot rack: Williams-Sonoma; lighting: Anette Library Light
Three different colors of sturdy, vinyl composition tiles (VCT) make up a plaid-inspired design, based on a fabric the clients love. The affordable vinyl fit their budget and works well with the kitchen's heated floors.
Flooring: Mannington VCT, 12 by 12 inches in Cameo White, Midnight and Iron; dishwasher, range, hood: GE Cafe