Made-to-Order Kitchen for a Family with Food Allergies

Storage tops a lot of homeowners' kitchen wish lists. For Liz and Mike McBride, this was to address health concerns as much as organizational ones. Two of their three sons follow special diets due to food allergies, making separate storage and prep areas a must. When the family moved into their home in Fort Mill, South Carolina, the eat-in kitchen featured builder-grade cabinets, a bi-level island, and appliances crowded into one corner.
While it was spacious, it didn't really meet their needs.

Shown: A square island with cabinets and shelves on three sides supplements increased storage space in new wall cabinets, to maintain order.
Designer-builder: , Fort Mill, SC
Paint:  (walls);  Seed Pearl (wall cabinets);  (island and pantry shelves)
Cabinets: Jason's Custom Woodworks, Charlotte, NC; 704-763-3303
Lighting:
Countertop: Quartz Radianz in Appalachian Umber AU490;
Faucet:

Working with designer Mary Ludemann, they set about maximizing space with a larger storage island that also fits the cooktop and a couple of stools. Custom cabinetry puts every inch of wall space to work. But the most innovative solution: a separate butler's pantry carved out of the small adjacent dining room, which allows safer meal prep for kids who have to avoid certain ingredients. Quartz counters, stone tiles, and wood floors warm both spaces, as do splashes of bright orange, Liz's favorite color. "This setup makes unorganized me extremely organized," says Liz.
"Everything has its place. And the place makes sense!"

Shown: A bi-level island hemmed in the cook and provided insufficient prep space, without concealing clutter. A dark palette reinforced the dreariness.

Liz feeds a family of five and entertains often, too, so she requires loads of storage for cookware and serving dishes. Drawers and cabinets on both walls and the island keep what she needs right where she needs it, minimizing steps. The cooktop features a downdraft vent, so no call for a hood overhead.

Homeowner tip: "A square island really lets you maximize storage, while allowing a cooktop that faces whoever's around." —Liz McBride, Fort Mill, SC

Appliances:
Backsplash tile:

The pullouts on the cook's side of the island are among Liz's favorite features: "I can grab what I need without leaving the stove." She organizes from top to bottom by most frequent use. Pots and pans are stowed in the island drawers under the cooktop.

Paint (island):

The butler's pantry includes a sink, a dishwasher, and a fridge, so Liz can prep her sons' meals with ingredients that are kept separate. Open shelves also hold safe snacks the kids can help themselves to. And when Liz hosts a big meal, the pantry acts as a catchall for dirty dishes hidden from view. Open shelves let her see at a glance what needs replacing from the market.

Countertop:
Cabinets: Jason's Custom Woodworks, Charlotte, NC; 704-763-3303
Lighting:
Cast-iron enamelware:
Sink:
Windows:

The 132-square-foot cook space was jammed into one corner, and stock cabinets didn't tap every inch.

Turning a small dining room into a butler's pantry allowed for a separate prep space.

1. Left the sink and dishwasher in place; added a built-in bench with storage under the seat at the end of the cabinet run.
2. Kept the fridge location; swapped the range for wall ovens and added a cooktop to the new island.
3. Improved flow by removing a door swing and tucked the table into the bay; replaced a desk with a bar and serving counter.
4. Built a square island with storage on three sides and seating.
5. Gave up half the pantry closet for a coat closet in the entry.
6. Made the small dining room into a separate prep, storage, and cleanup zone; lost the foyer access.