This kitchen perfectly reflected the 1970’s by displaying earthy colors. The only design selection missing was a patch of olive-green shag carpet in the middle of the floor. Despite the outdated colors and patterns, and failed lighting, this kitchen had the makings of a great cooking and socializing space. The “chef’s triangle” was already built in, so the kitchen could be built around the existing locations of the refrigerator, sink, and stovetop.
The entire room was stripped to the studs and the 7′ false ceiling was removed. Additional insulation was installed, all new drywall hung, recessed lights were added to the new 8′ ceiling, and all new cabinets were placed (including a new wall of cabinets added to the existing empty wall).
The oven was upgraded to a double oven, and the stovetop was expanded from 30″/4 burners to 36″/5 burners. These changes required larger home-run wires to be run all the way through the house back to the circuit breaker panel. The breakers were upgraded as well to receive the higher capacity oven and stovetop.
The final touches included a new marble countertop, backsplash, and floating shelves matched to today’s color and pattern tastes. The resulting space is now an inspiration.
| Before |
After |
| 1979 Design Style |
New Laminate Flooring |
| Wasted Spaced |
Additional Countertop |
| No drawer Slides |
Contemporary Cabinets |
| No drawer Pulls |
Contemporary Cabinets |
| No door handles |
Cabinet Pull & Handles |
| No under-cabinet task lighting |
Under-Cabinet Task Lighting |
| Ancient designs |
Up-To-Date Design Choices |
| Window with old design |
Window Trim |
| 7' Ceiling |
8' Ceiling |
| No recessed Lighting |
Recessed Lighting |
| Inoperable Appliances from 1979 |
Upgraded Double Oven |
| Old Cabinets and Countertop |
All new Cabinets and Countertop |
| No Space for Seat |
Space for Seat |
| No Place to drop grocery bags |
Place to drop grocery bags |
| No 36' Wide Redrigerator |
36' Wide Redrigerator |
| No Pantry |
Added Pantry |
