Before and After: Light, Bright Kitchen
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Before: Dark and Cramped
Before: Dark and Cramped
Goldilocks may be a fairy-tale character, but the quest for “just right” inspires many a real-life remodel.
Shortly after moving into their 1941 house in San Carlos, California, Mike Haas and Lisa Porter realized the kitchen just wouldn’t do for their crew: It was too small, too dim, and too bare-bones for Mike’s considerable cooking skills. “We wanted a central open gathering place with casual eating areas, lots of storage, and pro-quality appliances,” Mike says. “All materials would have to stand up to kids, dogs, and assorted mayhem.”
Shown: measuring 155 square feet, the former kitchen was dark, had minimal storage and counter space, and came with basic appliances.
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After: Light and Airy
After: Light and Airy
As part of a whole-house renovation that included a second-story addition, architect appropriated two bedrooms in the back of the house for the new kitchen, which now opens onto a deck with a fully loaded grill island. The kitchen’s bold palette of green, yellow, and blue is tempered by white and off-white painted cabinetry, stone countertops, and wood floors. Now the family can host it all, from ambitious dinner parties to crowd-pleasing barbecues to sleepover breakfasts presided over by the kids, Cameron, 13, and Eli, 12. “We love the freedom and flexibility it offers,” Mike says. “It’s perfect for us.”
Shown: Airy, light—and more than twice the size of its predecessor—the relocated kitchen boasts a pro-style range and acts as command central.