1980’s Kitchen Update
Modern Makeover
I think we can all relate to the 1980’s kitchen in the light oak cabinets, laminated tops with a wood edge and the drab colors that surrounded that era. I’ve even seen where people tried to paint the cabinets to give the kitchen another look and feel. Unfortunately the kitchen layout and functionality still disappoints them in every way.
I came across some clients a couple of years ago that were just fed up with their 1980’s kitchen. They had started the renovations in the home a few years prior with a bathroom and living room. It was time to change up the kitchen to catch up with the modern theme that they longed for. She had spent many months collecting her thoughts and color schemes preparing for this kitchen makeover and was told about our company from a friend. This is when I came into the picture.
As with most new clients, the first words out of her mouth the day I first arrived at the house were, “I can’t stand the look of this 1980’s kitchen anymore.” I have found out in my life that we sometimes have to hit the point of screaming to finally make that decision to tackle a large remodel like a kitchen. Let’s face it, it’s the most expensive and difficult remodel in the home. Bathrooms run a close second. Besides the money, time is the biggest fear of a client when thinking about taking on this project. Between the design and material gathering, time for the order to come in, and the time it takes from rip out to completion, you are most likely looking at 3-4 months of your time. Larger kitchen projects can last longer.
Luckily for them, the original layout worked for them so just replacing cabinets, counters and floors cuts down on that time some. She also pretty much knew what she wanted for style and colors so that helped with time also. The first thing was to stay along the modern theme that she had already set with her other remodels. Cabinets were to be dark with a lighter color counter and floor. She chose the Omega Dynasty line of cabinetry in a beautiful and rich Truffle Cherry in a modern shaker door style, Mecca. Simple and clean lines are usually the theme when it comes to a modern feel. There is a certain richness and feel to Truffle on Cherry. It gives you the illusion of black but with a hint of brown coming through. The counter material chosen was Cambria’s beautiful quartz material in Bellingham. Quartz is a man-made material made out of granite and quartz chips, ground down and put together with a resin. It’s a maintenance free, non-porous material that is naturally beautiful. A nice D-shaped stainless sink gave the room a modern, industrial feel. A beautiful and simple nickel pull finished off the look of the cabinets.
When it comes to a kitchen remodel where the layout does not change, focus is on better storage. I run into a lot of clients who don’t mind the layout of their old, tired looking kitchen. They just hate the out-of-date storage. So at this stage of the design, thoughts were focused on what storage items would help her love her kitchen more. A large, beautiful 3-drawer base was the first thought for her design. Woman love to store items in the wide and deep drawers. Pots and pans, casserole dishes, Tupperware and even dishes fit beautifully in the drawers. A nice pullout spice unit was added to the left of the stove for those spices you use while you are cooking. A nice angled base lazy susan in the corner not only gave her convenience, it also allows for the extra counter space needed in a small layout. Smooth running, full extension, soft closing slides for the drawers with soft closing hinges bring the room into today’s comfort.
All in all, the room takes on the persona that she first set out for. The beautiful, modern looking subway tile on the splash and the modern, wood looking tile floor finishes off her look for the space she longed for. What’s a woman to do with a space like this? She now enjoys every moment that she spends working in her new kitchen and revels in the ease and less time it takes to prepare the meals for her family. We work hard in today’s world, isn’t it time to enjoy the fruits of our labor? I know she is!
Bon Appetit!
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