Walking in to this 1939 Broad Ripple home, one is immediately struck by the warm, welcoming feeling it evokes. The homeowner loves to entertain friends and family, cooking for a crowd or just a few friends in her spacious kitchen. However, she was ready to make changes to better reflect her personality. “I have traveled to Italy a few times, and I wanted to create the look of the kitchens I saw there,” stated the homeowner. “It already had the tile floor and the beams, but I wanted it to fit how I like to cook too.”
Original kitchen: The existing main kitchen had been expanded previously into an addition off the rear of the home. This addition included a vaulted ceiling in stained wood and beams, and a large bank of windows overlooking the back garden. The cabinet layout worked well for the homeowner and the appliances were fairly new, so a cosmetic remodel was all that was needed.
Final Design: Updating the cabinetry was the first task. Painting them warm white with a glaze brought the old-world feel the homeowner was looking for.
Crown and light moldings were added to the upper cabinets, providing an updated look and coverage to hide the new undercabinet lighting.
The base cabinets were built up to make the new granite countertops flush with the range. The cabinet above the range was raised to accommodate a new microwave.
A new tile backsplash in Macchu Piccho tumbled travertine complimented the Santana granite countertops. A decorative tile feature was installed over the range to add visual interest.
The existing sink was only 4 years old, and was the perfect size for the homeowner so it stayed.
The old canned lights were replaced with mono point lights, greatly improving the illumination of the space.
Painting the vaulted ceiling off-white had a huge impact on the space. “The ceiling was too dark, and I wanted to open up the kitchen,” stated the homeowner. “Lightening the ceiling makes you feel like you are looking up at the sky. I really wanted the beams to stand out and be a focal point too.”
And then there were the little things, like adding toe kick panels to the bottom of the base cabinets, installing base and shoe molding throughout the kitchen and dinette area, and finishing end cabinets with scribe molding. These small details provided an overall finished look to the kitchen remodel.
Final Result: The inviting feel of the rest of the home has now been brought into the kitchen. “I enjoy puttering around in there in the mornings now,” said the homeowner. “I take longer when making my coffee because I like being in it. Standing at the sink and looking out at the plants and birds is a pleasant experience.”
Are you looking to recreate your travel experiences in your home? Schedule a free, in-home consultation with one of our designers, who can help you bring your memories to life. Send us an email, or give us a call at 317-846-2600.
