Mark and Dana live in Portland's Boise neighborhood in a 1930's bungalow. They wanted to update their kitchen, which was suffering an unfortunate early 90's renovation that lacked soul. The basic layout was functional for them, so we focused on making simple aesthetic improvements and introduced just a few new storage components.
Next, we addressed the awkward corner formed by an unsightly stair rail and a pair of trash cans. So we replaced the rail with a much more useful 12" deep cabinet that could serve a dual purpose for both the kitchen and the stairwell beyond. On the kitchen side, an open shelf gives Dana a place to store her cookbooks and a few decorative items. The cabinet next to the range was outfitted with new slide-out bins for the trash and recycling, so those are put away from sight.
Facing the stair, we opened up a cabinet space where they can store dog leashes, shoes, and other items to grab on the way outside. This made a great use of that buried corner, and gave a discreet home to items that are usually hanging on hooks, cluttering the entryway. I love how the new cabinet provides a solid corner to the kitchen, where it was flimsy and useless before.
On the opposite side of the kitchen, we made a few simple improvements to clean up the look and improve functionality. Mark and Dana were tired of the old stainless five-inch-deep sink and leaky faucet, so they found a re-habbed Kohler cast iron sink at the Rebuilding Center for $20, and replaced the faucet with a new, goose-neck of a traditional style, more appropriate for their bungalow.
To clear up the clutter, Mark and Dana keep the coffee pot and toaster in a cabinet when they're not in use. Serving bowls and vases were given a special home on a new shelf above the refrigerator, and the hefty fridge was given a simple face-lift by eliminating all but a few photos & magnets. They also got rid of a few objects that were cluttering the bay-window, and now the light enters through a clean, light-filled box.
The project took about 4 weeks and under $4000 to complete, including the cost for the new wood floors in both the kitchen and dining area. Mark and Dana did the demolition and painting themselves, and hired their longtime friend and master woodworker, Mark Dubois, to help refinish the floors and build the new cabinets.
The new design makes the most out of the typical bungalow material palette: subway tiles, butcher block countertops, traditional cabinets, deep colors, and native species wood flooring. Beyond that, we always kept in mind what would work best for Mark and Dana, and tailored the decisions accordingly. The result is a classic and sustainable kitchen that they will enjoy for many years.
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