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Designer's Own Kitchen Remodel
"For years I’ve lived
vicariously through the kitchens of my clients; now I'm enjoying the
kitchen of our dreams. If you want to find me in my home, just go
to the kitchen island! You’ll find me there cooking, eating, working or
relaxing. It’s my new favorite place.
I think it’s
important as a designer to dismantle your own home every once in a while.
It’s like walking in your clients shoes for a day; or in the case of this
project…2 months!"
- Monica Boeckenstedt
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BEFORE PHOTOS
Monica remodeled every room in
her home saving the
kitchen for last. Monica had the kitchen plans drawn up for
years when she decided to take the plunge. She made a few
last minute revisions making space for a larger television
and adding crown moulding around the entire room. The goal
was to add an island for every day seating and to open the
kitchen to the dining area to make the room feel larger.
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PROPOSED
DESIGN
The
new kitchen plan included many of the items her clients love
in their homes plus things included specifically for how
they live. A bench seat in front of a south facing window
provides a nice place to relax plus offers storage below.
There is a drawer just for measuring spoons, a slot
specifically for a phone book and lots of dividers for
platters and trays. The kitchen is designed to have
everything you need for everyday cooking in the main “L
shape” portion of the kitchen. There is a separate drop
zone area for the telephone, keys, cookbooks and mail. This
helps keep cooking and other activities stay divided.
There’s special storage for crock pots and small
appliances that are not used every day and lastly the wine
or beverage area.
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UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
After
the old kitchen was torn out, the wall between the kitchen
and dining room was removed. At first, it felt like a
bowling alley but it quickly took shape. While the drywall
was torn down many updates were easily added. A new central
vacuum system was put in place, speakers were installed in
the ceiling along with recessed can lights and a port was
installed to run the whole house audio. They kept the maple
hardwood floors and patched them where the wall was removed.
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COMPLETED PROJECT
The
kitchen is a mix of flat panel cherry cabinetry and
distressed, black raised panel cabinets with coordinating
crown moulding. The cabinets and moulding meet the ceiling
making the 8 foot ceiling feel higher. The countertops are
granite with a travertine stone back splash. Monica always
recommends clients select materials that they love because
even though the materials she used in her own kitchen are
popular today, she loved those materials ten years ago, too.
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