Design a Kitchen for the

Way You Live

Presented by Wendy Albee & Master Builders Assoc.NKBA, NWSID, Master Builders, Remodeler Council, CGP, CAPS

“Going Beyond The Triangle”

Think about……

The Way that You Live (or want to live)

Kitchen is the new Family Room – the true heart of the home

Think about……

Who?How?When?What? Kids? Pets? Entertaining? Do I need two tables?

My Office

Before kitchen had small island with cooktop, minimal counter space and no room

for the entire family to participate.

My Office

After Remodel – Large island with counter space for entire family to eat, gather, make pizza, or play

games.

My Office

Before kitchen had cramped work space everywhere and didn’t maximize the natural

light.

My Office

After Remodel – Opened up wall to large windows to maximize light and ample room for everyone.

My Office

After – A bar with prep sink & beverage fridge for entertaining.Before – a pantry

My Office

After – An adjoining family room with accessories in complementary color palette.

Before

My OfficeBefore kitchen there was limited workspace for the master chef of the house.

My Office

After Remodel – Larger island with cooktop for master chef who likes to share his cooking

expertise. And room for his audience!

Everything Within Reach

• Empty dishwasher without taking any steps

• Easy reach to put away groceries

• Cooking utensils, spices, oils within reach of cooktop

My Office

Before kitchen microwave took up valuable real estate.

My Office

After Remodel – Incorporated microwave with wall ovens to increase counter space

Before Remodel – Did not accommodate two cooks

Or the fact that they liked to entertain.

After Remodel – Several work stations easily accommodate two

After Remodel – Utilize the entire space to enhance lifestyle

After Remodel

Also installed bar area for entertaining.

After Remodel – New design allowed people in, but only to a point.

Before

Island the Right Size

• Ample counter for baking and prep

Island the Right Size

• Room for family to eat or kids to do homework

• Utilize wood countertop to make it feel more like a table

Large cabinet pantry

• Ample room for food items, baking goods, and kids’ crafts.

• Client can spend less time shopping and more time with her kids.

Tip #1

Start with a Blank Slate Make a priority list Forget what is in your kitchen now Write down the room measurements on a blank

piece of paper Remember walls can be removed or opened up

My Office

Why do we need 2 tables? Do we really need a formal dining room?

Before - Kitchen

Before – Dining Room

My Office

Blank piece of paper with the overall room measurements.

My Office

New Floorplan – Remove wall between kitchen & dining room and add large island with two seating areas. Result is a large great room utilizing all of my client’s space.

My OfficeAfter Remodel – Looking into kitchen from new family room (was original dining room).

New great room offers room for church meetings & time with grandchildren.

My Office

After Remodel – Looking into kitchen from the only dining table.

My Office

Client wanted to make their kitchen more central to their home. Original kitchen with lots of wasted space in hallway between kitchen & dining room

and long walk to enter kitchen.

Entry

Hallway

Dining room

Family Room

Laundry Room

table

My Office

AFTER –Truly the heart of the home as all communal rooms stem off new kitchen.

New kitchen plan eliminated the hallway and opened the kitchen to the entry. Also allowed room for island & enhanced flow for parties & gatherings.

Dining room

Family Room

table

Entry

My Office

After Remodel – Looking into kitchen from the entry. No longer have to go down the long hallway to enter the kitchen.

My OfficeAfter Remodel – Looking into kitchen from the dining room.

Tip #2

Take a……

Test Ride

My Office

You can tape an area.

Test Your Plan

Do normal activities and see how your new floorplan will work.

Use boxes for a new island or cabinets so you have to actually walk around them.

Think about where you will set your grocery bags to empty them.

Consider all activities and go through the actual motions to ensure the new kitchen will function properly.

Tip #3

Focus on One One focal point keeps the room balanced Select what you want to be the focal point

of the room Make sure it’s the only one

Before Remodel – no real focal point

After Remodel – Stove is the Focal Point

Before Remodel – window was focal point

Problem: Looked directly into neighbor’s house.

After Remodel – Stove is Focal Point

Before – Fridge was focal point

After Remodel – Island is the Focal Point

Before – no real focal point

After Remodel – Pendant Lights are Focal Point

Tip #4

Think about……

Above & Below Don’t forget about the floor and ceiling

Raise the ceiling

Before

After – Cathedral ceiling

Tile floor

• Tile floor is heated & controlled with thermostat

• Tile is great for dogs and kids; holds up in rainy weather

Tip #5

AFTER - Bar on island lowered so all one level at counter height. Added curves instead of angles.

Maximize Work Surface

Tip #6

Light It Up! The importance of lighting cannot be

emphasized enough

Maximize Natural Light

Installed new windows & added rain-sensing skylights

Maximize Natural Light

Taped out new window

New window offers more natural light on the dark side of the house.

General & Task Lighting

New window installed in remodel

Hint: Everything should be on a dimmer

#7

Make It Personal You should walk into your kitchen and

know it’s yours

Unique Tiles on a Backsplash

Tile mural

Glass mosaic

Slate, glass, & metal mosaic

Unique Moldings & Architectural Elements

New door moldings & box beam ceiling with beadboard inset

Tropical Paradise

Before

Use an Heirloom

Wrought Iron Railing

Custom railing is artwork

It’s Possible To Make Amazing Transformations!

It’s Possible To Make Amazing Transformations!

Think about the Way that You Live

Who?How?When?What? Kids? Pets? Entertaining? Do I need two tables?

Tips

• Start with a Blank Slate• Take a Test Ride• Focus on One•Above & Below• Maximize Work Surface• Light It Up!• Make It Personal

Free Classes

TEN THINGS TO KNOW WHEN DESIGNING A BATHROOM

Sunday, March 24, 2pm at Newport Way Library

CREATING OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES Thursday, April 4, 7pm at Lynnwood Library

Thank you!

Q & A