Borrowing Space - Fine Homebuilding

Photo by Susan Teare

The original layout of the kitchen was constrained by having the refrigerator in the main space which was set against the range, a larger powder room that had a door that opened into the kitchen and an antique hutch that dominated one wall. The solution was to cut the powder room size in half, relocate its door to the hallway, tuck the refrigerator into this borrowed space, remove the hutch and replace it with a shallow base cabinet and open shelves above. The new floor plan allowed for a dramatic change to the function of the kitchen. The range now had counter and wall space on either side of it. The opening to the dining room became larger and more visually open by removing the refrigerator and scaling down the adjacent wall with open shelves. And as a further bonus, additional cabinet space was gained beside the new refrigerator location. This area serves as a mini wine bar. The custom cabinets were done by Vermont Case and Cabinetry, countertops by Sheldon Slate and the flooring is refinished salvaged pine. “You learn something new every job if you’re willing to get beyond what’s standard and familiar.” Chris Conner

Conner and Buck Design Build

Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture and Design

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